Cursed Terrano

[Hayden001]

I'm new here, hope I'm in the right place.

I've recently bought a 1991 Terrano with a TD27T. Overall, nice condition. Very tidy and tight, I'd believe the odo reading of 182k.

Soon after buying it, replacing the alternator, having it backed into and plenty of other unlucky problems.. the engine ran away. Oil got into the manifold and powered it until it suffocated. It lost all compression so I had the engine replaced.

A few weeks down the track, different engine, injector pump, turbo etc. (Only used the same alternator and starter motor). The same thing happened! I was driving at 95kmh and I noticed a screaming sound followed by a "boof" and clouds of oil smoke. This time I left it in 5th gear and braked. I stalled it and let it calm down then to satisfy my curiosity I started it again. Unusually it started fine. There was no smoke and it performed as it should the whole way home.

What the hell is going on? TD27T motors are supposedly bombproof but I have had two run away in less than two months.

[fullthrottle]

Only thing that comes to mind at this stage is that you have got some crap in your fuel.

[Hayden001]

Yea I thought of that but one engine did it on Shell from out of town and the other on BP. I've put the best part of three tanks worth of diesel through it between the problems.

[tweake]

turbo leaking oil
or engine is overfilled and its thrown oil out of the breather.

[Smurf]

turbo leaking oil
or engine is overfilled and its thrown oil out of the breather.

This would be my first guess too.
What parts were reused on the new engine from the old engine?

[sibainmud]

Hmmmm, not the most common fault known
First thing that comes to mind is a blocked fuel return causing the high pressure injector leak off to back feed the injector pump.
Still thinking though. Must be something with the truck as you replaced everything else that could lead to the fault transferring motors.

Cheers,

[Hayden001]

I forgot to mention, there is now a whole lot of oil on the injector pump side of the motor. None near the turbo though. There also seems to be a spattering of oil over the back of the vehicle.

[slide]

Soon after buying it... replacing the alternator.....the engine ran away.

A few weeks down the track...different engine.... same alternator.... The same thing happened!

After deleteing bits of your post, it seems alternator may be a guilty party??
Hmmm. Maybe the vacuum pump plumbing not correct and somehow getting oil through to engine??
as an example if the brakebooster pipe was off it would pump more air, which is pumped into sump. Then breather to intake would also be flowing more air, and possibly enough oil residue in the air to start to run away??
Not saying this is the problem, just feeding ideas??

I was driving at 95kmh and I noticed a screaming sound followed by a "boof" and clouds of oil smoke.

And presumably you felt it start accelerating at the same time?
Hahaha, you could of been like that dumb american blatting down the motorway at 120mph cauz the throttle jammed

[Hayden001]

Tell me more about vacuum plumbing. The brake warning light has been coming on a bit and the power assistance is weak. How does bad vacuum plumbing effect oil?

[slide]

As the diesel engine makes no vacuum, a pump is needed for brakes assist.
The pump needs oil supply (high pressure feed from engine), and drain back to sump/crankcase.
Vacuum part is connected to brake booster, various diaphrams for eg EGR control solenoids, and a 'low vaccum' warning light sensor.
To make vacuum, the air needs to go somewhere. (think air into pump= air out) The air out goes down same pipe as oil drain.
So if theres a vacuum pipe on the system not connected, then as well as potentially having less vacuum for brake booster, theres also more air going into crankcase.
The crankcase breather goes back to intake preturbo. (you will see pipe from rear of tappet cover to air intake flexi)

[rotodiesel]

Hi Hayden001,One fault TD27 and 42 is worn rockers and shaft.When the engine is cold, the extra oil that is lost thru the worn rockers fills up the rocker cover and over flows into the inlet manifold.[td's have trouble draining oil from r/cover,worse when cold] Heeps of smoke and engine is on a mission.Stall it or lose it.If you overfill the sump same result, check your 2 dipsticks , see if there is a difference. 6.5 ltr of 15w40. New shafts and rocker are available thru Nissan. However, having said all this because I work on them, own them, like them and have had customers ones take off, I'd do what Slide said 'check the vacuum pump, lines and brake booster.