Grenade question

[dpetersen]

G'day guys!
So today when I tried to start my patrol there was a loud bang from under the bonnet and it didn't start. Tried to start it again and same thing, third time it started no worries and ran perfectly.
Iv checked under the bonnet and can't see anything out of place.
Any ideas? Should I be overly concerned?
2003 3.0ltr diesel. 300000ks on the clock.

[4bye4]

?? Weird. Doubt its grenaded, that doesn't come good and run OK. Bang from under the bonnet? Engine probs usually bang through the exhaust or carbi (yes I know it doesn't have a carbi). Whats the exhaust colour like - is it blowing smoke or steam?
Any chance it was something physical like something touching the fan or the starter motor loose? Broken belt? Engine mount?

[Stropp]

You need to supply more info mate, if it's running ok it won't be too bad hopefully

[AB]

As above with more information if you can mate.

I would also be checking all bolts on turbo, exhaust manifold and dump pipe to exhaust as well.

[the evil twin]

Was it a sharp metallic bang IE metal on metal?
Did it go bang as soon as you turned the key?
Did it crank and go bang almost immediately?
Did it crank and crank and go bang?
When it started did it immediately run OK or cough and splutter?

[SonOf]

Doubt it grenaded but as above more info. Also what colour smoke when you start cool? Is the coolant disapearing?

Do you own a cat that you cannot find anymore?

[dpetersen]

It didn't crank at all just went bang when I tried to crank it. It usually has abit of a grey cloud of smoke when I start it. I have been loosing coolant for a while, still havnt worked out where it's going yet but I have a rough idea that it may be from having the wrong radiator cap, (going to check it out when I get back to Melbourne).
I do get a pretty violent shaking from the engine bay occasionally when I start it too.

[happygu]

It didn't crank at all just went bang when I tried to crank it. It usually has abit of a grey cloud of smoke when I start it. I have been loosing coolant for a while, still havnt worked out where it's going yet but I have a rough idea that it may be from having the wrong radiator cap, (going to check it out when I get back to Melbourne).
I do get a pretty violent shaking from the engine bay occasionally when I start it too.

Could be a little bit of coolant in the combustion chamber on startup, but if there is a teaspoon worth in there, it can hydraloc completely .....

This could explain the rough starting too, if the glow plugs are still ok

I would say that you may have a cracked cylinder head, as this is fairly common on the 3L Di ...

Definitely not grenaded though, as it would be blowing a whole heap of white smoke and have no power.

[the evil twin]

It didn't crank at all just went bang when I tried to crank it. It usually has abit of a grey cloud of smoke when I start it. I have been loosing coolant for a while, still havnt worked out where it's going yet but I have a rough idea that it may be from having the wrong radiator cap, (going to check it out when I get back to Melbourne).
I do get a pretty violent shaking from the engine bay occasionally when I start it too.

Hmmm... not grenaded but def not good either.

I would get on it straight away, compression check and test the coolant for combustion gases

[dpetersen]

So I'm 99% sure Iv done a head gasket. I took the oil cap off and it was white and milky underneath.
What am I looking at to get it repaired? I'm in Adelaide at the moment, sposed to be heading back to Melbourne on Saturday with the car but it's not looking good.
If any one could call me with some advise that'd be great
0439 372 783
Cheers Daniel.

[dpetersen]

Got quoted $3000 for a new head. Thoughts?

[JME_GU]

Yep, sounds like it is at least a head gasket. Sometimes they just blow by themselves, but often there is a root cause, I've even seen blown head gaskets from failed radiator caps. Some workshops won't even fix a head gasket without replacing the rest of the cooling system (radiator, hoses, water pump, heater core, thermostat, etc.)

[dpetersen]

I had it serviced last month in Darwin and asked the mechanic to look at the cooling system as I was loosing about a litre a week of coolant. He said it had the wrong radiator caps so he replaced them but I don't think he put the right ones on as they just don't feel right. Il be very annoyed if that's what has caused it.

[my third 256]

could be a trip on the train back mate or get it repaired in adelaide / fly home then back to pick it up