The engine on my L322 TD6 I think has blown.

To cut a very long story and a very long day short, here's the facts:

ran out of fuel
put 5 liters of diesel in
turned key on to let the lift pump get rid of air bubbles
started engine fine
10yds down road, big puff of white smoke and a bit of a surge in acceleration
moderate amount of white smoke coming out of exhaust for the next 200yds to fuel station
put another 30 liters of fuel in
went 500 yds down road and a HUGE amount of smoke came out (whitish I think)
stopped car, let it idle, seemed to clear even on revving
went to go home and 200 yds down the road, again a massive surge in acceleration and a huge amount of smoke again
Car was accelerating really quickly up hill, managed to put into neutral and coasted to a layby
stopped car, took key out and crossed road.
Car was still full revvs, chucking out loads of smoke
kept going for about 1 or 2 minutes
revvs slowly died down and eventually stopped
Fair amount of oil on floor behind exhaust

Sounds like diesel runaway. https://www.carthrottle.com/post/9liEWT/

Rare, but dramatic, I've heard of it but never seen it. Effectively, regulation of amount of fuel entering the engine has failed. Presumably engine oil was seriously diluted and therefore much less viscous than normal. The oil/diesel mix would then enter combustion chamber through any week spot. At that point, the only thing that will stop the engine running away will be to exclude oxygen. Unlike a petrol engine, no ignition system to cut.

Sounds like you have already concluded that there is a leak from pressurised fuel rail to sump. Not sure what could be causing that, but surely whatever it is would be the root cause. Running out of fuel probably a co-incidence, except that fuel being dumped into the sump would have made it run out quite suddenly I imagine.

Over-revving of engine might have caused a lot of damage - or you might have been lucky and find that resolving the fuel leak and re-filling with fresh oil might be enough. Only giving it a go will tell, but presumably requires some bravery to restart the engine. Current: 2010 Range Rover L322
Vogue SE, TDV8 3.6, Bournville
-----------------------------------
Now gone: 2002 Range Rover L322
Vogue, TD6, Giverney Green

Thank you for the reply, your advice is much appreciated.
Once I have done a compression test, probably tested the injectors, test ecu, possible removal of fuel pump to check seal, I will consider putting oil back in and . . .

then putting on my brave pants and try it!!

Am I waisting my time? I would have thought these engines are bullet proof? (Probably not idiot proof though!!) Current:
FFRR 3.0 TD6 L322
BMW M3 E46

Gone:
2002 BMW E46 330d Estate
1997 BMW M3 Evo
1984 SIII Landrover 2.25 petrol SWB
Vauxhall Calibra 2.0i
Peugeot 205 XS

Can't pass opinion on likelihood of this engine being salvageable. A lot of it will depend on whether you're paying labour rates for the work or doing it yourself. A good chance it will be fixable, but will it make financial sense?

Thinking through what might have happened, one idea might be:

- One (or more) injectors catastrophic failure - permanently open
- Dump large quantity of fuel into cylinder
- Leading to engine runaway
- After a time, more fuel in cylinder than can fit at top of stroke - liquid can't be compressed
- Leading to hydrolock causing engine stall and possible related damage https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hydrolock
- And/or forcing fuel, under pressure, past piston rings into sump

A compression test will tell you a lot about extent of damage, I think, but you will need to prevent any failed injectors from dumping fuel to prevent further damage.

Sounds like fuel is now readily dropping from cylinder into sump, which suggests complete loss of compression on at least one cylinder. What you can't tell is what is causing loss of compression - piston ring; cracked block; head gasket or something else. Only stripping the engine down will give much of a clue. Current: 2010 Range Rover L322
Vogue SE, TDV8 3.6, Bournville
-----------------------------------
Now gone: 2002 Range Rover L322
Vogue, TD6, Giverney Green

This sounds scarey and I feel for you awillia3

Be interested in what you find. Does sound like an engine strip down job though...

Best of luck! .
Experience is the only genuine knowledge, but as time passes, I have forgotten more than I can remember
Volvo V70 P2 2006 2.4 Petrol 170bhp Estate SE
MG Midget Mk1 1962

Previous: L322 Range Rover TDV8 3.6 2008; L322 Range Rover TD6 3.0 2002; P38A Range Rover V8 1999

Yes it was scary!! Will update once compression test has been done. If its down at all I won't bother rebuilding the engine. May look at a new engine or even sell the whole car as a project!! Current:
FFRR 3.0 TD6 L322
BMW M3 E46

Gone:
2002 BMW E46 330d Estate
1997 BMW M3 Evo
1984 SIII Landrover 2.25 petrol SWB
Vauxhall Calibra 2.0i
Peugeot 205 XS

If it's run on its own oil until the engine has stopped itself, the engine is toast.

Essentially, it runs on its own engine oil until it either runs out of oil, or overheats and seizes

Either way, it's going to be terminal. Sorry

Just out of interest, when was the breather filter last changed? Has been the root cause of many failed engines , both Td4 + Td6

As has been said, terminal.

I would be looking for a replacement engine.

cheers Alex

2018 Skoda Kodiaq vRS
2009 Caterham Supersport Race car
2007 M5 Touring
2005 Range Rover Vogue SE Supercharged
2004 SL55 AMG

Mikey wrote:

If it's run on its own oil until the engine has stopped itself, the engine is toast.

Essentially, it runs on its own engine oil until it either runs out of oil, or overheats and seizes

Either way, it's going to be terminal. Sorry

Just out of interest, when was the breather filter last changed? Has been the root cause of many failed engines , both Td4 + Td6

I think you may find that the tips of the injectors have burnt off, and will be pouring fuel straight into the bores (and probably through a Piston or 3)

The breather filter should be changed at EVERY service. If not, the crankcase pressure builds up and the oil has to go somewhere, either internally or externally...

I wish I had changed it every service . . . .
I will definitely be investigating the damage . . probably after fitting a new engine!! Current:
FFRR 3.0 TD6 L322
BMW M3 E46

Gone:
2002 BMW E46 330d Estate
1997 BMW M3 Evo
1984 SIII Landrover 2.25 petrol SWB
Vauxhall Calibra 2.0i
Peugeot 205 XS

My pal had a similar problem with his ffrr, misfiring, new injectors, still over fuelling and filling the sump.... turned out to be a cracked head.....

The ecu will increase fuel delivery to a cylinder to maintain smooth running.... if there is a combustion problem then it will over do it

If you are getting diesel out the sump plug with the ignition on but engine off, I would suggest that you look at your injectors first, as this would be a major failure if it's pumping diesel into the block.... other than that a compression test would be the best indication, before you going down the lets reduce it to it's component parts route
It could be a seal on the high pressure pump.......

FYI, my pal gave up on his engine and fitted a S/H unit  Yesterday I couldn't spell Engineer... Today I are one!
Inventor of the 'Guide-o-Matic automatic wheel alignment tool'
Former long term L322 owner, Up/Down graded to a Classic Tractor!