Almera 2.2 dCi...blown turbo/engine?!

[Dj4man]

Hi guys,

My mate has a 2.2 dCi Almera on a 03 plate. He was travelling back up north on M1 when he noticed an odd puff of smoke out the back and loss of power in hills. He pulled onto hard shoulder and the car started revving high and wouldn't turn off. The cabin started to fill with smoke, so he got himself and his family out and the fire service turned up mins later. When they opened the bonnet, the radiator exploded and engine stalled. It was the top plastic pipe on the radiator that exploded, the bonnet presses on this when closed.

So, he hasn't tried starting the car properly since having it recovered home, but it does still turn over. So not a seized engine. No oil on dipstick.

A firefighter told him that the turbo seal had probably failed causing the car to fuel itself on the engine oil? The engine coolant is still above the MIN mark and no traces of oil in it.

What's the likely damage? Turbo and radiator at the very least.

Without starting the car properly and running it, could we assume that the Head gasket is ok seeing as the engine only stalled when radiator exploded? Or would there be bottom end damage?

Dan

 

[FOSSIL FUELS]

It sounds buggered my dear man...
Turbo, rad, head all probably shot... Oil starvation maybe bottom end gone...

Engine sounds shot to me.

 

[edk]

Turbo and rad, definitely. Engine... maybe. If you're lucky there was still enough oil in the system by the time it stalled. It would be worth checking the bottom end main bearings for signs of damage. But equality it's possible the engine could be damaged.

 

[Dj4man]

Cheers guys, I have passed on the above comments.

If he was to source an engine (or sell to me cheap as i'm trying to get him to!), what other models was the 2004 2.2dci engine fitted to please?

 

[Spook]

YD22DDTi (VP44 pump)

The YD22DDT is used in the X-Trail, N16 Almera. It features the VP44 electronic rotary injection system and wastegated turbochargers. The VP44 pump models are easily spotted due to a flat acoustic cover over the engine.

From Wikipedia.

The old engine would require a rebuild it at least taking apart to assess the damage. I would sell it to Edk for cheap so he can get his arse in gear and stroke it to 2.5.

 

[edk]

Bad info...

Not wastegated turbo. Also Primera and Almera Tino you can get engines from (2003+). But the X-Trail one you'll have to swap over a few bits like intake manifold.

-phone-

 

[James]

Urgh, one of the worst things that can happen to a turbo diesel car, I was thinking about this exact outcome yesterday. I've always got a rag in the car to jam in the air intake if this were ever to happen to me!

 

[Simcard]

The engine might be ok. Modern cars can surprisingly go the distance with no oil as the lubrication is meant to be good enough to work for a while. I would remove the sump, remove a big end cap and check for wear, then have a quick skeg under the cam cover. If it's ok, i'd chance a turbo and run her up.

 

[pel]

Urgh, one of the worst things that can happen to a turbo diesel car, I was thinking about this exact outcome yesterday. I've always got a rag in the car to jam in the air intake if this were ever to happen to me!

I always thought the best way round it was to shove it in 5th and attempt to stall it??

 

[edk]

^that's right.

-phone-

 

[James]

^that's right.

-phone-

I did wonder about that, I was just worried about what other damage that could do. I spose if the turbo is flipping it's nut that would be the least of my worries though!

 

[Natch97]

Yep. Handbrake on, foot brake on, into 5th and snatch up the clutch. Have seen someone try it without the brakes on and the engine produced enough torque to pull away in 5th at great speed. Scary to be in the car. Hilarious to watch

 

[James]

Yep. Handbrake on, foot brake on, into 5th and snatch up the clutch. Have seen someone try it without the brakes on and the engine produced enough torque to pull away in 5th at great speed. Scary to be in the car. Hilarious to watch

All I can think of is this....