Trafic 2.1Diesel - Stuck Glow Plug & Burned Head Gasket

Newbie Joined: 18 Jun 2006 Posts: 10

Hello, all!

I own a Renault Trafic 2.1 Diesel and it's giving me a few headaches. I was wondering if you gurus could give a bit of advice... Any comments shall be appreciated.

The third glowplug (counting from the back) is stuck, and its outer screw is broken. It is just in between the engine and the Lucas Diesel pump.

1. How do I remove the puley of the pump?

2. Any suggestions on how to extract the glow plug?

The head gasket is blown because the thermostat refused to cooperate. I have oil coming out of the refrigerating tank lid. As hand work is quite expensive here in Finland, I was thinking of taking my chances and simply replacing the gasket without having the head rectified.

3.Is this a wise thing to do?

4. The working space under the Trafic's hood is quite narrow. Has any of you done this before?

5. Will I be able to do it without taking the entire engine off?

6. Could you describe the procedure in detailo?

7. What precautions should I take?

Thank you for any eventual help your experience can provide. Laughing

Forum Moderator Joined: 02 Mar 2004 Posts: 19978

1. its a bolt on a keyless taper if I remember correctly. Once the bolts off a bit of heat from a blowtorch will get it moving. However why are ytou removing it?

2. Removing the head will allow access to it better. Use a mig welder on it to weld a nut on and it shoudd unscrew then. Worst comes ot the worst you'll need to remove the mix chamber cap and drill it out and get a new cap fitted to the head.

3. If the things over heated get the head milled flat as if you don't you will just be doing the job again in a few weeks.

4. I haven't on a traffic but yes its pretty tight.

5. Possibly but I woudl probably drop the engine out to do it. if its your van maybe consider sorting any bodywork issues out whilst the engines out and maybe replace the clutch as well.

6. Nope.

7. Take your time and get some help if you can.

Newbie Joined: 18 Jun 2006 Posts: 10

Thanks, Chris, for your answer.

I have to remove the Lucas pump because the blasted glowplug is the third one (counting from the gearbox), so the access is just blocked by it.

I don't have a welder, just a bunch of crappy tools (not very encouraging, i know). What would you say if I tried one of those extracting screws (sorry I don't know the exact English name for it), that tighten anti-clockwise?

And what happens if I don't have the head milled off?

Once again, thank you for your patient towards a rookie :D

Forum Moderator Joined: 02 Mar 2004 Posts: 19978

I see, the metal back plate might be better being left on the pump and removing it from the head instead? Up to you though. I just wouldn't touch the pump pulley tbh.

the screw extractors are not worth using, I have yet to see one actually work, they tend to just snap off.

if the head is bent and you don't mill it flat again the headgasket will just blow again.

The place that skims the head will be able to remove/advise on the glow plug.

If the plug is actually not leaking combustion pressure then I would be tempted to leave it. It will start fine on 3 glowplugs and I deal with a few cars that have snapped plugs which have been left in for a long time.

Newbie Joined: 18 Jun 2006 Posts: 10

Great advice, Chris. I'll try to remove the pump from the plate in the head, like you recommend.

As to working on three plugs, I'm afraid that's a bit tricky... This is the Arctic, you know Wink

. In the winter the mercury drops down to -30Âº, so it's pretty tough to crank the old tractor up.

Is there a way of checking if the head has been bent? I'm sorry to be insisting on trying to get away with with it, but everything involving professional handwork is very very expensive here, so it would be nice if I could be sure in beforehand.

Thank you again, Chris, it's fantastic to be dealing with someone who knows his way around these things.

Forum Moderator Joined: 02 Mar 2004 Posts: 19978

3 plugs work over her ein sunny scotland when it dips below zero but I see your point. Don't you have the heaters you plug in to kepe the engine oil warm?

You should get one on the diesel system as well.

I do remember when the diesel in a neighbours orions froze 9if it never froze it was to think to move anyway) in the tank, we set a fire under the car to melt it, lol that was when glasgow hit -22 a few years back

When you remove the head get a steel rule and hold its edge across the head face. It shoudl make contact all the way across, if it doesn;t use feeler gauges to gauge the run out of the head face. Then get it machined down to tolerance.

Newbie Joined: 18 Jun 2006 Posts: 10

Sunny Scotland... Cool

I went up to Stranraer one summer many years ago and we used to joke: "Look, there's a blue cloud over there" Shocked

Unfortunately I don't have one of those very useful engine block and fuel warmers, as the van is Portuguese. It came from there completely packed with my wife's furniture and stuff (I am sure you know how a lady's dowry always increases in the inverse proportion of the gentleman's). It was already running on three glowplugs and believe me, Chris, it was a miracle that it managed to climb the Pyrenees. Even the lorries were overtaking me... Six days of sheer hell... When winter came, nothing could get it cranked up. Rolling Eyes

Thank you for your valuable contribution, not only your good advice set me on the right direction on how to proceed, but it also encouraged me to do it. Very Happy

One more question though, will there be a tolerance on the feeler gauge or does it have to be absolutely flat?

Forum Moderator Joined: 02 Mar 2004 Posts: 19978

tolerence about 0.05mm max distortion across the head face. so it is pretty tight tolerences.

Stranraers southern sunny scotland, should have went north to the colder bits!

Sounds like its overdue a bit of tlc this van!

Newbie Joined: 18 Jun 2006 Posts: 10

I didn't see much of it, but what I saw, I liked. Nice landscape, straightforward and honest people, only the beer was a bit warm... Wink

I think I'll venture myself probably this weekend. I promise thought to take pictures of the entire thing and keep in touch to let you people know how it went (hopefuly well) Very Happy

Once again, Chris, my sincere thanks to you. Let me know should there be anything you need either from Finland or Portugal.

Forum Moderator Joined: 02 Mar 2004 Posts: 19978

timagal";p="98553 wrote:

Once again, Chris, my sincere thanks to you. Let me know should there be anything you need either from Finland or Portugal.

citizenship and a house in either please! lol

we are straightforward because we need to be because we are short on time, avergae male lifespan in glasgow is 56 years!

Newbie Joined: 18 Jun 2006 Posts: 10

With your 106 years of age, I'm sure the average is wrong Laughing

But seriously, why do man die so young there (well, I can't resist it : is it the women that drive you nuts?) . Do women die later than men?

About the citizenship I wouldn't know, but if you ever come in vacation by either one of the countries, you are most welcome to stay with us.

Forum Moderator Joined: 02 Mar 2004 Posts: 19978

well we are th eheart disease and murder capital of europe.

yes women live longer here.

Thanks for the offer, very kind!

Newbie Joined: 18 Jun 2006 Posts: 10

I mean it.

Newbie Joined: 18 Jun 2006 Posts: 10

Forum Moderator Joined: 02 Mar 2004 Posts: 19978

beast!

Looks in good chape underneath and in the load area, most have rust holes all over the place.

The wheel tubs come pretty far into the load area though.

Any decent exterior pics?

Newbie Joined: 18 Jun 2006 Posts: 10

Thanks for the compliment, Chris.

It belonged to a a textile company before I bought it so, apart from sofas, pots and pans, it hasn't been doin' much heavy duty-

I am sorry about the quality of the pics. I don't have a proper camera, they are just phone pics.

Here are some more, this time taken from the ouside.

http://www.freewebtown.com/rekkumies/Rellu1.jpg
http://www.freewebtown.com/rekkumies/Rellu2.jpg
http://www.freewebtown.com/rekkumies/Rellu3.jpg
http://www.freewebtown.com/rekkumies/Rellu4.jpg
http://www.freewebtown.com/rekkumies/Rellu5.jpg
http://www.freewebtown.com/rekkumies/Rellu6.jpg
http://www.freewebtown.com/rekkumies/Rellu7.jpg
http://www.freewebtown.com/rekkumies/Rellu9.jpg

And, since I'm at it, one of the 1984 Volvo 240 2D Sedan I just sold today.

http://www.freewebtown.com/rekkumies/Volvo/Volvo.jpg

Bit sad to see it leaving, but is is going to a good home...

Forum Moderator Joined: 02 Mar 2004 Posts: 19978

its in really good nick the van, treat the rust on the sills before it gets worse though!

I prefer the 240 estates, theres more purpose to them. Liek being used as a hearse!