Oil leaking from oil cap and white steam/smoke - Land Rovers Only

biffsmash · 06-23-2006, 02:15 AM

Hi,

Just need a quick bit of advice please. Ive tried searching but can't find anything.

Last night I was out on a short journey and noticed steam or white smoke coming from under the hood. So I pulled up and had a look and oil was leaking out of the oil cap over the engine, and white steam was coming from inside when I too the cap off to take a look.

edit: the car is a 1992 200tdi and its done 60k miles.

I now know the oil level was dangerously low, and i'm topping it up later, but is there anything else that could be wrong?

Cheers

Biff.

Disco Mike · 06-23-2006, 05:43 AM

You have at least a bad head gasket and possibly a cracked head. What ever you do, don't drive it any more untill you can have a mechanic look at it.
Mike

biffsmash · 06-23-2006, 05:50 AM

Hiya cheers for the reply

Its been in a garage for work as I crashed it back in april, but they have given it a clean bill of health.

That sounds bad

Can't afford to sort out head gasket problems right now. Im not mechanically minded and the garage thats been sorting it for me told me the car is in exellent condition.

Well I hope its not as bad as it sounds, but I appreciate the advice. The guys from the garage are coming to look at it tonight so i'll get the bad news then.

Biff.

300bhp/ton · 06-23-2006, 06:15 AM

I doubt it's a cracked head, would be very rare on a TDI.

You really need to find out if it was smoke or steam as there's a subtle but fundamental difference.

White smoke would normally indicate a turbo failure, but that smoke wouldn't normally be coming out of the oil filler cap.

If you have steam in the rocker cover then it would indicate a cylinder head casket or craked head (but I still think it's unlikley).

As long as you didn't over heat the engine it should be ok.

If it is a cylinder head gasket you'd get a "mayonase" (sp?) white substance around the oil filler.

Also check for contaminents in the coolant in the header tank.

TDi's are generally pretty bullet proof and rarley need any ore than regular maintance before 150-200k miles.

But I agree get a mechanic to look it over.

If you need any bits give me a shout (or PM) I'm not far from Luton. I've just finished an engine swap in my 200Tdi Discovery. I have a spare turbo, injector pump, cylinder head, intake manifold (with new gasket), rocker cover (new seal) all sitting on the shelf.

Condition is "used" on all the items, but as far as I know they where working when I took them off my old engine, I'm not looking for much for them, just really want shot of them.

biffsmash · 06-23-2006, 06:36 AM

Heya

The Engine, even while i was driving it, was cool, the guage was showing as cold as it could get. Theres no white substance around the filler cap.

The garage that did all the services are suggesting that a breather pipe may be blocked, I am sooo hoping that might be the case but i'm not holding my breath.

Anyway i'll keep all that in mind and appreciate all your help and advice

Biff

06-23-2006, 02:15 AM	#1 (permalink)
biffsmash Biffy Join Date: May 2006 Location: Birmingham, England Posts: 8 Gallery: 0	Oil leaking from oil cap and white steam/smoke Hi, Just need a quick bit of advice please. Ive tried searching but can't find anything. Last night I was out on a short journey and noticed steam or white smoke coming from under the hood. So I pulled up and had a look and oil was leaking out of the oil cap over the engine, and white steam was coming from inside when I too the cap off to take a look. edit: the car is a 1992 200tdi and its done 60k miles. I now know the oil level was dangerously low, and i'm topping it up later, but is there anything else that could be wrong? Cheers Biff.

06-23-2006, 06:15 AM	#4 (permalink)
300bhp/ton The Best 4X4XFar Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: England, home of the Land Rover Posts: 601 Gallery: 0	I doubt it's a cracked head, would be very rare on a TDI. You really need to find out if it was smoke or steam as there's a subtle but fundamental difference. White smoke would normally indicate a turbo failure, but that smoke wouldn't normally be coming out of the oil filler cap. If you have steam in the rocker cover then it would indicate a cylinder head casket or craked head (but I still think it's unlikley). As long as you didn't over heat the engine it should be ok. If it is a cylinder head gasket you'd get a "mayonase" (sp?) white substance around the oil filler. Also check for contaminents in the coolant in the header tank. TDi's are generally pretty bullet proof and rarley need any ore than regular maintance before 150-200k miles. But I agree get a mechanic to look it over. If you need any bits give me a shout (or PM) I'm not far from Luton. I've just finished an engine swap in my 200Tdi Discovery. I have a spare turbo, injector pump, cylinder head, intake manifold (with new gasket), rocker cover (new seal) all sitting on the shelf. Condition is "used" on all the items, but as far as I know they where working when I took them off my old engine, I'm not looking for much for them, just really want shot of them. __________________ Land Rover Discovery (3 Door) 200Tdi 5-speed Mods:Allisport LARGE FMIC \| Allisport Tuned \| Simex Jungle Trekker II 33.11.50R15 Tyres \| 15x8 8 Spokes \| Heavy Duty Uprated Suspension (shocks & springs) \| Wheel arch Flares \| 1" Wheel Spacers \| Custom Straight Thru Exhaust \| Custom Trimmed Front bumper with twin NATO Hooks \| Custom Rear Bumper with single Large NATO Hook 360˚ Swival \| Front Light Guards \| Custom Aluminium Rear Floor \| Bonnet Straps \| 100w Spot Lights \| Upgraded Headlights The Best 4X4XFar

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06-23-2006, 05:43 AM	#2 (permalink)
Disco Mike Moderator Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Parker, Colorado Posts: 5,486 Gallery: 0	You have at least a bad head gasket and possibly a cracked head. What ever you do, don't drive it any more untill you can have a mechanic look at it. Mike

06-23-2006, 05:50 AM	#3 (permalink)
biffsmash Biffy Join Date: May 2006 Location: Birmingham, England Posts: 8 Gallery: 0	Hiya cheers for the reply Its been in a garage for work as I crashed it back in april, but they have given it a clean bill of health. That sounds bad Can't afford to sort out head gasket problems right now. Im not mechanically minded and the garage thats been sorting it for me told me the car is in exellent condition. Well I hope its not as bad as it sounds, but I appreciate the advice. The guys from the garage are coming to look at it tonight so i'll get the bad news then. Biff.

06-23-2006, 06:36 AM	#5 (permalink)
biffsmash Biffy Join Date: May 2006 Location: Birmingham, England Posts: 8 Gallery: 0	Heya The Engine, even while i was driving it, was cool, the guage was showing as cold as it could get. Theres no white substance around the filler cap. The garage that did all the services are suggesting that a breather pipe may be blocked, I am sooo hoping that might be the case but i'm not holding my breath. Anyway i'll keep all that in mind and appreciate all your help and advice Biff

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