2L-TE White smoke

[pb51]

I recently started a long journey when my temperature shot up and white smoke began streaming out of my exhaust and steam was pouring out of the expansion tank overflow pipe.
I found no evidence of water contamination in the rocker box and no sign of oil in the cooling system.
I am now stripping down the engine to examine the cylinder head and gasket as I,m assuming this is the most likely cause, however I have found oily residue in the Pipe from the turbo to injectors.

I have two questions:

Firstly does anyone have advice as to the best and cheapest place to buy cylinder head gaskets or reconditioned head, if needed.

Secondly is there a gasket/seal inside the turbo that can cause oil to leak and if so can it be replaced and where can I get one from.

pb51

[bu5hwack3r]

I recently started a long journey when my temperature shot up and white smoke began streaming out of my exhaust and steam was pouring out of the expansion tank overflow pipe.
I found no evidence of water contamination in the rocker box and no sign of oil in the cooling system.
I am now stripping down the engine to examine the cylinder head and gasket as I,m assuming this is the most likely cause, however I have found oily residue in the Pipe from the turbo to injectors.

I have two questions:

Firstly does anyone have advice as to the best and cheapest place to buy cylinder head gaskets or reconditioned head, if needed.

Secondly is there a gasket/seal inside the turbo that can cause oil to leak and if so can it be replaced and where can I get one from.

pb51

That doesn't sound good mate to be honest. In answer to your questions, Steveo is the man for all things cylinder head related, his link is at the top of this page, and is very highly recommended on here.

Secondly, I think a certain amount of oil residue there is normal, but someone with better knowledge than me on that will be able to tell you for certain.

Good luck with it.

Bu5h.

[stormforce]

That doesn't sound good mate to be honest. In answer to your questions, Steveo is the man for all things cylinder head related, his link is at the top of this page, and is very highly recommended on here.

Secondly, I think a certain amount of oil residue there is normal, but someone with better knowledge than me on that will be able to tell you for certain.

Good luck with it.

Bu5h.

thats right you will normally get some oil in the pipe.Just clean the pipe out and refit

[pb51]

Thank's for the replies Bu5h & Richard.

I am very interested if any of you have comments on the white smoke/cylinder gasket issue, am I right to assume it's the head or gasket also the oily residue is quite heavy and I did get a large puff of black smoke when the turbo kicked in prior to the white smoke issue.

Roughtrax sell a Turbo gasket kit for £44 but I don't know if it would be worth investing in.

[BioHazard]

Thank's for the replies Bu5h & Richard.

I am very interested if any of you have comments on the white smoke/cylinder gasket issue, am I right to assume it's the head or gasket also the oily residue is quite heavy and I did get a large puff of black smoke when the turbo kicked in prior to the white smoke issue.

Roughtrax sell a Turbo gasket kit for £44 but I don't know if it would be worth investing in.

Sorry to be negative but you probablly have a cracked head take it off and look for small cracks around the clyinders . the cracks will connect the clyinders with the cooling system there for pressuriseing the cooling system AND filling the clyinders with water Hence the white smoke .

If you need a cheap head i am breaking a surf and could get the head off it and check it, for the five years i ran it it was fine otherwise go to stevo

[pb51]

BioHazzard,

I will get the head off over the next few days and will see how bad things are then,


pb51

[SoundsDigital]

Having never actually seen a Surf head removed from the engine, generally is a cracked head scrap, or can they be skimmed?

[stormforce]

Having never actually seen a Surf head removed from the engine, generally is a cracked head scrap, or can they be skimmed?

as far as i'm concerned it is scrap as it will never be as strong as a new head

[MattF]

Having never actually seen a Surf head removed from the engine, generally is a cracked head scrap, or can they be skimmed?

Skimming wouldn't do diddley for the cracks.

[BioHazard]

Therefore either a good 2nd hand one or pay stevo £675.......cannnot remember if thats plus vat.........i'll get mine off this week to see if it's ok

[pb51]

Some things take time

It has been some time since my posts about white smoke, but I finally was able to remove the cylinder head. All of the valves had a crack between them so I will have to get a new head. It is also evident that this vehicle has had a replacement gasket/head previously so would ask if anyone knows if there is a common fault or incorrect adjustment which would cause heads to crack.

I would also like to know if it is recommended to use Hermattite red or similar when installing a new gasket.


Regards
pb51

[bu5hwack3r]

It has been some time since my posts about white smoke, but I finally was able to remove the cylinder head. All of the valves had a crack between them so I will have to get a new head. It is also evident that this vehicle has had a replacement gasket/head previously so would ask if anyone knows if there is a common fault or incorrect adjustment which would cause heads to crack.

I would also like to know if it is recommended to use Hermattite red or similar when installing a new gasket.


Regards
pb51

A replacement head worth having will have been modified to give it slightly thicker cooling walls is my understanding, and a cheaper non - modded or second hand one is likely to go again. Not sure about using Hermatite, I think the general consensus is no, not necessary, but I could be wrong. How did you find it getting the head off? I need to do mine, and not done one before, anything I need to be aware of? Are you planning to put new head in yourself? Any tips you got would be welcome.

Cheers,

Bu5h.

[pb51]

A replacement head worth having will have been modified to give it slightly thicker cooling walls is my understanding, and a cheaper non - modded or second hand one is likely to go again. Not sure about using Hermatite, I think the general consensus is no, not necessary, but I could be wrong. How did you find it getting the head off? I need to do mine, and not done one before, anything I need to be aware of? Are you planning to put new head in yourself? Any tips you got would be welcome.

Cheers,

Bu5h.

Bu5h,
Yes, I'm planning to put the head on myself, when money allows. My main problems were due to having a 2L-TE with the exhaust recirculating system which the Haynes and Australian work shop manuals did not cover. The bolts that connect the recirculating pipe to the exhaust manifold were a problem it would have been easier to drop the exhaust, but that is hind-sight. Also the bottom nuts under the inlet manifold would prove to be difficult if 1/2 drive are the only sockets you have. I found 1/4 inch and different lengths of extension bar to be needed. It also takes two people to lift the head off.
This was however only my 2nd cylinder head in 30 yrs and there was more room around the engine and simpler layout when I did my Escort 26yrs ago.

pb51.

PS. any one else have comments about gasket compounds.

[julesj]

It has been some time since my posts about white smoke, but I finally was able to remove the cylinder head. All of the valves had a crack between them so I will have to get a new head. It is also evident that this vehicle has had a replacement gasket/head previously so would ask if anyone knows if there is a common fault or incorrect adjustment which would cause heads to crack.

I would also like to know if it is recommended to use Hermattite red or similar when installing a new gasket.


Regards
pb51

The crack between valves is a common problem. The heads that Stevo sells are a later modifide type with improved waterways and thickness. Others who offer heads (especially cheap ones) dont guarantee this (there are many horror stories on this forum). You dont need gasket sealant but new stretch bolts and correct sequence and torque are essential.

[julesj]

A replacement head worth having will have been modified to give it slightly thicker cooling walls is my understanding, and a cheaper non - modded or second hand one is likely to go again. Not sure about using Hermatite, I think the general consensus is no, not necessary, but I could be wrong. How did you find it getting the head off? I need to do mine, and not done one before, anything I need to be aware of? Are you planning to put new head in yourself? Any tips you got would be welcome.

Cheers,

Bu5h.

I changed my head by myself over a weekend. Because of the limited room remove every thing that is in the way ie batteries, radiator, air cleaner. The manifold bolts are tricky its best to remove the studs this means that you can leave the exhaust/turbo egr ect in the truck. The bolts that hold the egr to the inlet manifold are tricky but once removed you can wiggle the inlet out, its a bit fiddley but saves trying to undo the egr pipe bolts at the exhuast end.
Good luck