Malawi 110 The source of the oil in the intake. A must see for Tdi owners!

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[@kevinmartin9432]

Back in the day, we were taught to press the brake pedal, then start the engine, if the pedal went down when the engine started, then the servo was OK!

[@BritannicaRestorations]

Correct!

[@nzrestoration9486]

Ah the professor at work, if you carry on diagnosing stuff you might come out with honours! 😂. No cobwebs on you good sir.

[@BritannicaRestorations]

Thank you kindly

[@mb8804]

Thanks Mike, that's really given me food for thought. My 200tdi.starts and runs beautifully but does occasionally trail blue smoke and the cyclone filter is a permanent oily mess. I've always wondered why there is oil in the air filter and other intake parts. After 14 years of ownership and countless "fixes" I'll look at the one part I've never touched.

[@leighriley6277]

You're a great diagnostician Mike, that's a lost art these days, great vid mate 👍👍

[@BritannicaRestorations]

Thanks 👍

[@geoffmills4755]

Hi Mike it’s 3:30 in the afternoon here and it’s 32 degrees c here in Victoria Australia

[@BritannicaRestorations]

Promising 30cm of snow today

[@stephengriffiths7441]

Hi from New Zealand. Love the channel. In the middle of a 1977 Series 3 88 inch rebuild. Keep up the good work.

[@BritannicaRestorations]

Thank you Stephen - not many series round here

[@ryderducan]

Wow I’m impressed, a master tech once told me to find the true problem you have to ask why 3 times lol. You definitely did that here. I would still be looking at the cyclone lol

[@BritannicaRestorations]

Thanks 👍

[@MrBadvok]

Well spotted Mike!

[@iantolond1548]

Mike I must say I have been selectively following your videos and they never fail to enlighten. To borrow a old proverb. It takes a driver to own a defender, but it takes a village to keep it running!

[@jolyonplatts1655]

Genius! Makes so much sense. Good Work!!

[@michaelhands1240]

This is where your experience shows, I never would have considered the vacum causing the oil problem.

[@paulboon1100]

Good one Mike, never thought about that!

[@craig_chaznibond452]

What an interesting video. I love these fault finding videos, much less frustrating when someone else is doing it!

[@IhsanJayman]

Thanks for this very valuable tip.

[@davelock3166]

Clever stuff, Mike.

[@husq2100]

Good find. Unfortunately the brake servos are notorious for cracking around the mounting bolts. Common in Australia

[@BritannicaRestorations]

Yes I seem to have done a video on this once before

[@rossco88]

Think you just solved my problem 👌

[@veryveryveryoldman]

Thanks Mike! Mines just started behaving exactly the same, you have saved me loads of time trying to work that out.

[@BritannicaRestorations]

You're welcome!

[@beero1953]

After watching this I checked out my servo on my TD5 and it was cracked in the same place, A bit of dumdum pressed in the crack (temporarly) improved the brakes no end. New servo on the shopping list. Thanks very much. Learning SO MUCH from you!

[@BritannicaRestorations]

Thanks for sharing

[@gussyshield2456]

Yup, same; new servo here in Wiltshire too!

[@highdownmartin]

Next time I have the rocker box off. I'll do that mod. Nicely explained and I'll try and remember that leaking servo causing the crankcase pressure build up. My breather goes into a bean tin though!

[@edwincornish701]

My 110’s suffered from poor brakes and oil in the breather for a while and I’ve never been able to get to bottom of it. Thanks for posting this vid. Whilst I’m doing bulkhead repairs I’ll give the servo a once over. Cheers. 👍

[@denisscott1134]

Hi Mike 👋 well would never have thought about that 🤔 brilliant find Mike 🤔👍👍👍🇬🇧🇬🇧🇬🇧

[@BritannicaRestorations]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@machiningbasics1729]

Very interesting stuff mike

[@garyeves4991]

thanks for this one Mike, looking fwd to the heater video!

[@BritannicaRestorations]

Coming soon!

[@garyeves4991]

We have 3 TDI ambulances 2 of which need heater overhauls, I saw you last heater video, and have also seen another guy wrap the heater box in insulation, which was interesting, love your videos, keep them coming!

[@rdflo6739]

Brilliant!! Love the diagnosis, nearly as satisfying as discovering something like that myself.. as for the baffle, couldn't we make a plastic connector piece that sits in the hole that has a closed end and a small hole in the side through which the gases go? Possibly a cool little 3d print idea.. Many thanks again for the insights and enjoyable watching!!

[@BritannicaRestorations]

Yes it is a good idea

[@dragon4r4]

Excellent video, baffle system is used on the Td5 engine rocker cover to condense oil vapour

[@BritannicaRestorations]

Great point!

[@brett2432]

If u got a air compressor you can make a venturi pump to pressure test the servo as it makes a vacuum. Really easy to make with a few air fitting.

[@RussTNails-fw9ds]

If they were made out of thicker or better quality steel the brake booster wouldn't crack. I Bought my 130 new in 96 and the dealership must have put a baffle plate in my rocker cover,it is pop riveted in place and looks a bit home made but they must have known it needed something to stop the oil getting in the canister.

[@Chris-zm5mj]

Good diagnostics on that, once explained it makes perfect sense. A good idea for making a homemade vacuum pump is to employ an old fridge compressor👍🏼

[@BritannicaRestorations]

Great point!

[@gazzafloss]

Or an old vacuum cleaner...

[@ianhellyer1473]

I had a similar problem with oil consumption when an engineering shop didn't put the baffle on the oil filler tube, back on when my 2.25 petrol was rebuilt. They mucked up some other things on it too. Never used them again. Good idea about a baffle on the rocker cover. Worst case oil splash would be with the vacuum line removed from the servo and left open to atmosphere, the oil separator removed from the rocker cover and the separator pipe blocked. Compare how much oil comes out the the rocker hole before and after the baffle is fitted.

[@PeasantPrep]

Thanks very much sir, you have solved my tdi niggles in one hit !!!

[@BritannicaRestorations]

Great!

[@fourbypete]

In Australia we use a catch can to stop oil getting into the intake, but I'm going to leak test my brake booster.

[@grahameroberts8109]

You’re looking a bit tired Mike. 🛌 Good detective work on the oil. Must be Midnight Oil. Lol. 🤣🙏🏽🙏🏽😷😷🦘🦘

[@BritannicaRestorations]

Could be!

[@sleepycatpictures1176]

Good effort Mike! I'd be tempted just to slap some sealant around it!

[@BritannicaRestorations]

Not as easy as you think

[@sleepycatpictures1176]

@@BritannicaRestorations Aye!

[@johndiaz7240]

Good one ,thanks.

[@BritannicaRestorations]

Glad you liked it!

[@ianjudd2613]

Mike, try shaping a bit of alloy to fit inside the breather hole with maybe a 'T' shape in the end....bit like a traditional chimney pot or a tube with an 'O' ring that will fit snugly in the breather outlet as before, from the inside....? 😊

[@BritannicaRestorations]

Good tip!

[@fionanokelly]

A simple house vacuum cleaner will do the trick very well.

[@BritannicaRestorations]

Yes it will

[@badfinger61]

Great video Mike. Those servos seem to have an archilles heel with the cracking etc. Ties in with the video you did awhile ago concerning parts quality. Those servos could be made of better quality materials!

[@BritannicaRestorations]

Yes they do

[@davecatton8773]

Whoa the old lad ! we had this in Buzzes , and what it was air filter got blocked because of excessive servicing the air filter wasnt lettin air in enough so the turbo sucked harder and where did it get air from engine an oil got sucked out , filled up the intercooler Hydrauliced an BANG !!! rod out the side !! Oh Dear we said "little man with a big hammer struck lucky !! LOL ha ha ha !

[@BritannicaRestorations]

lol!

[@PieAndChips]

Self tappers and loctite might do it Mike, or a small piece of filter mesh.

[@BritannicaRestorations]

I am working on it - I think I can make a baffle plate that drops deep into the rocket box, as one of the push rods is very close to the separator outlet - no wonder oil gets into it!

[@gordonlearoyd]

I had a very noisy engine but only when on the throttle. Took me months of fiddling before I realised it was a crack in the servo magnifying noise through the foot well. Replaced it with a TRW servo and the first thing that happened was a big 'boing' as it changed shape under vacuum! Such poor metal is used. Sounds much better now but the old one felt better than the new, might have to seal the master cylinder to the servo (master would never come off again though!)

[@BritannicaRestorations]

The new ones are really thin - just adequate for the job

[@deniscudahy4549]

Good spot there 👍

[@BritannicaRestorations]

It sure is

[@landieman6044]

Think I have done 20 cracked servos this past 6 months, td5 do it as well. They crack at the other side also

[@lukeevans9698]

Thanks!

[@BritannicaRestorations]

Thank you!

[@Jottingsfrom]

Another great video Mike. Just a thought, for those of us who want to check the servo, instead of putting a hose on it and sucking, would it work if we blew and put some soapy water on it. Some of us are more full of hot air than we are suckers! Haha 😂 Great job! Keep making those Land Rovers better!

[@BritannicaRestorations]

Not sure if the seals will allow pressure - I can check today on this one as it is buggered

[@jmileshc]

How about a vacume cleaner ?

[@gazzafloss]

My Disco certainly has less oil in the intake since fitting the electric vac pump (externally vented). Mike I'm planning another level of entrapment for the crankcase breathing on my rig, going to try an "add on" oil filter unit to draw the fumes through. Great detective work there mate, I've seen a couple of those Deefer brake servos crack there, never really thought of the "knock on effect" with the crankcase breathing, good work..

[@Rob-cz7lg]

Hi Gary, can you tell me what you used to control the electric vacuum pump. I already have the pump, I think it’s off an Audi. But it needs some kind of control to turn it on and off. Thanks

[@gazzafloss]

@@Rob-cz7lg I bought a vacuum switch off eBay for a Volvo can't recall the model and I used a 2.2 kg Argon welding gas bottle as a vac reservoir the vac switch switches through a 15amp relay to the pump, just works on demand,after ignition is switched on. Made an aluminium closure plate for the block opening where the Wabco was removed. Advantages no more oil leaks, better low speed brake response and as Mike showed less crankcase oil breathing.

[@BritannicaRestorations]

I seem to have done this before on 300Tdi servos - they are paper thin and crack around the studs making it difficult to weld

[@gordonwedman3179]

That AC vacuum pump can produce a lot of vacuum. I would be a little afraid I might collapse something in the booster. Maybe a vacuum cleaner would work?

[@caprimen]

Hi Mike. I think you will find many people rushing out to test their servo , and they will all find a hair crack in the same place , it’s a very common fault.

[@BritannicaRestorations]

Yes another LR problem they know about

[@Bluepilchard]

Have replaced my servo the old one seemed to make a sucking noise the new one is quite no noise some sort of diafram inside, going to check out my 200 no turbo engine just na servo might see if anyone out there does a upgrade as got a new clutch cylinder for it which is supposed to make the pedal 30 percent easier to push

[@jmileshc]

Great information thank you !. Could you fabricate a tubular baffle, inserted into the separator spigot, it would have a smaller diameter and slip inside ?. Basically a modified separator with an extended spigot with integral baffle. If that makes sense. It's difficult often to gauge you're own trucks condition if you don't have another to compare I find. Are my brake's ok or not, is the hole in the bulkhead normal, and what is that ruddy tapping noise ?.

[@champ6702]

Hi Mike Great detective work! Truly shows what a good mechanic is worth:) Another mechanic might have changed a whole lot of bits before finding the problem! Do you have any tips for avoiding the brake servo cracking? They seem to be to weak for the forces applied. Can they be reinforced? Best regards Daniel

[@BritannicaRestorations]

There is nothing you can do with the original servo

[@davidtoyne3224]

You may find that once you fix the crankcase pressurisation, the rear main might be OK. Of course, easier to do it while you are there .......

[@BritannicaRestorations]

Yes he wants the clutch replacing and one of my forks

[@neilfrancis3013]

I don't know if you can remember mike on the older cars they used to have a breather pipe fitted to the filler cap that would be a idea. I can't remember what cars did have them I don't know ..

[@BritannicaRestorations]

Yes, another victim of emission controls!

[@michaelevans5953]

What about alternative servos? I've got a LR mag article somewhere with a Series 1 or maybe 2 with a servo from an early Jag fitted. It gave a significant increase in brake effectiveness, and possibly more resilient too.

[@BritannicaRestorations]

My 130 has a Discovery 2 one fitted and works well

[@dougfields5798]

Where did you get that adapter from ANN SUMMERS ?.

[@pam3071]

Great diagnostics, loving the videos, where are you from trying to work out with your accent haha

[@BritannicaRestorations]

Guisborough Yorkshire

[@pam3071]

@@BritannicaRestorations just up road from me, im in scarborough

[@garypoulton7311]

What about a baffle plate, a 90 degree plate, which extends to the stud in the middle of the rocker box, sandwiched between the top of the stud, and the rocker box?

[@BritannicaRestorations]

I tried something similar, but rectifying the brake servo or the vac pump can correct the issue if it is not ring blow by or valve blow by

[@quintincairncross1088]

Another excellent one Mike. What is your opinion on these aftermarket "catch cans" that are available for the breather?

[@BritannicaRestorations]

Well the cyclone separator is a catch can, but cannot cope with a lot of oil so you would be adding two

[@Viaticboston]

Good info. Like the idea about the rocker mod. Here’s a question, why do you start the wagon with Max throttle? I was always told to leave the accelerator alone when starting to protect the engine when’s there’s not much oil on moving parts.

[@BritannicaRestorations]

On the VE pumps you can floor the pedal but not on the Lucas pumps

[@Viaticboston]

Good to know 👍

[@nickboylen6873]

Could the servo have started cracking around the master studs? It looks good, but they do crack at relatively short age at the mountings.

[@BritannicaRestorations]

Yes they flex on the stud mounts and crack - very difficult to weld

[@NaziHampster]

Interesting. Could you utilise the mounting bolt holes for the cover to bolt on an oil screen under the cover ?. Maybe clearance problems ?.

[@BritannicaRestorations]

Yes I was wondering the same - need time to get the cover off

[@tukocan]

do it! I wanna see the result so that I can copy you. 😉

[@BritannicaRestorations]

Ok!!

[@Inknet1]

Good Work Don't forget the rear diff?

[@BritannicaRestorations]

I am making the tools as we speak to get into it

[@BernadetteBLL]

Motto 'if it a'int broke don't fix it'. By the way its+ 3 degrees here in southern France foggy and drizzling No fun working on a cold vehicle Tuesday midday

[@BritannicaRestorations]

Snowing today and promising 20/30cm !

[@Rob-cz7lg]

Just turn the pin in the top of the fuel pump and he will think you done an amazing job with the extra power it will have!

[@mikeclark4416]

Cold engine Foot on the gas pedal -Ive never done that with my 300 Tdi csw . I noticed you had too . Never rev a cold diesel

[@BritannicaRestorations]

It helps to advance the timing works well

[@mikeclark4416]

@@BritannicaRestorations Ive driven Artics & tipper trucks ,best part of my working life ,Never have I reved an engine from Cold

[@IhsanJayman]

My engine leaks oil same as this and my engine stalls when i apply break on idle. So this can be the reason most likely.

[@BritannicaRestorations]

Could be

[@hamiltmb]

This doesn't explain the reduced compression though, correct?

[@seekerbeta]

i dont know about you mike. but it sure does sound like the vaccum pump it clicking away too

[@BritannicaRestorations]

Because it is working hard - no resistance

[@vincentpoole7588]

Mike. So the 300Tdi compression is ok ? I suppose the owner in VanC wants to get this +25 year old Defender Classic back at Britannica Restorations healthy ! Well done to 'Muriel' a serial oil burner. V

[@BritannicaRestorations]

Yes it passed the cold start test so should be good

[@JeremyMAGNE]

Would there be bolts on the head side you could attach a baffle to instead of the rocker cover ?

[@BritannicaRestorations]

Yes - but I need time to play with it - got some ideas

[@webs37]

While I was looking at my servo I noticed some thick brown liquid leaking out where the master cylinder goes into the servo housing, do you know what that could be? Fluid level hasn't gone down in the MS.

[@BritannicaRestorations]

No idea but it could be a slight weep of the master cylinder

[@michaelevans5953]

Something I've been pondering for a while now. What's the 8 hole gasket hanging on your calendar off?

[@BritannicaRestorations]

300Tdi intake manifold gasket that fell out of the packet- need to find time to put it back on the shelf BTW the calender is still on last April.. Lol!

[@yorkchris10]

Just one 12V battery? Impressive. You don't gain much depressing the clutch when starting?

[@BritannicaRestorations]

It was the accelerator

[@lorrainegilmour4470]

Hi mike. What about a provent catch can to catch the oil better ??

[@BritannicaRestorations]

But the original separator is a catch can - it just cannot cope with all the oil

[@edd6113]

You may have done your mod already but couldn't you do do something that could utilise the rocker studs? Welds can crack, screws can fall out but original hardware is proven to stay put.

[@BritannicaRestorations]

It did cross my mind

[@jamescheney5310]

Baffle kits please!

[@jacqueshickley]

Some people have converted their 300Tdi's to electric vacuum pumps, I am also contemplating it the day the Wabco dies. How will the lack of positive air pressure, delivered by the Wabco, influence the crankcase pressure with the electric vacuum pump?

[@BritannicaRestorations]

Would benefit with a PCV valve fitted

[@jacqueshickley]

@@BritannicaRestorations Thanks. Between rocker cover and intake manifold or rocker cover and air ducting? Thanks for the very informative video, I learn something everyday.

[@barrydavison8705]

Hi Mike did you ever fit a baffle and was it successful…?

[@BritannicaRestorations]

Sort of - but sort out the brake servo and vac pump first

[@MrAddisonroad]

Quick question...my servo was cracked so fitted a new one,but now have an oil leak from vacuum pump area (there is traces of oil in the cap in the end of pump),is making the pump work harder making the vacuum pump leak?....UTB!

[@BritannicaRestorations]

Yea sounds like a pump problem - you can try to re seal them but you cannot buy parts - when installing use 2 gaskets takes the stress off the mechanism

[@garypoulton7311]

Would the smoke tester have worked on this, and shown where the leak is?

[@BritannicaRestorations]

yes

[@SalomaoFresco]

Hi Mike Great diagnostic and explanation. Thanks for that. Just out of curiosity, why was the turbo whistling? Cheers

[@BritannicaRestorations]

I have no idea

[@gerryrobinson4136]

If it is a good motor why such low compression ?

[@erictyrrell3560]

How early were the better servos and will they fit a Tdi?

[@BritannicaRestorations]

They were thicker but will not fit the 300Tdi mater cylinder

[@Defender110SLO]

Mike if you would fill servo with air insted of sucing would it work the same???

[@BritannicaRestorations]

Not sure about the seal direction but I could try it on this one

[@Defender110SLO]

@@BritannicaRestorations Waiting to see. Than I can test my own. 😇

[@dazman1973]

I presume it's ok to perform a test like this on a servo that has no master cylinder attached? I have removed my servo and master cylinder for an overhaul and this would be a great test for me to do before refitting.

[@BritannicaRestorations]

You need the master cylinder attached

[@dazman1973]

@@BritannicaRestorations Ahhh Ok. I guess I could temp fit it on the bench, just need to remember what box the new one is in.

[@itolond]

what was the fix for the master cylinder - is it a seal or ??

[@BritannicaRestorations]

It is the servo that is cracked around the studs

[@lliambunter]

Not a mechanic a proper engineer ! well done very interesting watching you (VW CADDY OWNER )

[@BritannicaRestorations]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@tynubernard]

The oil breather need vacum? i take it from air intake

[@BritannicaRestorations]

But that is the problem - the cyclone separator needs intake air to make it operate but as there is no baffle it gets overwhelmed with oil droplets which then get sucked into the intake

[@ruanmuller3577]

Why is the snorkel skew?

[@Rob-cz7lg]

Looks like they used a left handed one (200tdi) on the right hand of the vehicle

[@stuartingram9439]

my one sounded as nice as this one....... before the camshaft pulley bolts felt out

[@amcf2000c]

I’ve got a 300tdi and I’ve got a lot of oil in the air intake and in my intercooler is this normal or not?

[@BritannicaRestorations]

There should be no oil in there

[@amcf2000c]

@@BritannicaRestorations what would be the cause of this? And how would I fix it

[@amcf2000c]

@@BritannicaRestorations for got to mention I have already fitted a new brake booster and don’t know if it’s fix the problem

[@sararyan1255]

🇮🇪👍👍

[@overnighter]

A vid a day, keeps doctors away 🚙

[@overnighter]

A vid from Mike, I mean 😊

[@BritannicaRestorations]

Sorry I have not put much up recently - having issues with my boiler!

[@overnighter]

@@BritannicaRestorations I'm not finished with old vids, yet 😊

[@overnighter]

@@BritannicaRestorations sorry to hear the issue with boiler. Boiler must be vital in Canada 🙄 I wish you a safe and comfy stay at your shop and at home 🔥

[@BritannicaRestorations]

Think I have it sorted now!

[@agatemaster1998]

Don’t fix what isn’t broke it’s a deep rabbit hole

[@tobygathergood4990]

You add ANY amount of gasoline to diesel fuel and you will destroy the engine.

[@gsylass]

Not true - it's been done for years in very cold climates to stop the diesel going waxy. Of course you need to get the ratio correct...

[@BritannicaRestorations]

true - you can add a splash

[@sararyan1255]

🇮🇪👍👍