BMW 318 TDS engine breathing problems

[allnighter]

Right, where do I start? the cylinder head is sending oil through its breather outlet and it's fouling the air filter,the EGR unit, and the intake manifold, and I suspect the glow plugs too.I have loss of power , poor starting, and a kangoroo effect at under 2000rev.

Everytime I start the car from cold, it takes ages and there is a mighty white cloud behind me,and everytime I start the car when the engine is warm there is a black cloud instead.

I never put anything but Mobil1 diesel oil in it since it was bought at 41K.The car's mileage is 120K now and it's always been serviced properly.It passed its MOT including emission test about a month ago.

There is so much oil in the intake manifold and I don't know how to stop it coming out of the cyinder head breather outlet to which the air filter unit is plugged in via a an inch and a half sealed tube.

Any ideas folks?

PS: Yes I went through the expense of replacing all diesel injectors, glow plugs, and the air sensor on the inlet manifold to no avail.Still suffering poor starting and rough idling, and engine cutting out upon breaking.

Cheers,
Barry.

Edited by allnighter on Saturday 6th June 13:04

[sniff diesel]

allnighter said:

There is so much oil in the intake manifold and I don't know how to stop it coming out of the cyinder head breather outlet to which the air filter unit is plugged in via a an inch and a half sealed tube.

My manifold was caked in grime on the inside when I had it off to do the glow plugs, I was told that it's normal so just cleaned as much off as possible with a rag and didn't worry about it.

Does the car start any better when it has a full tank of fuel? It could be the lift pump on it's way out and struggling to send fuel to the inline pupm on the engine.

[allnighter]

sniff diesel said:

My manifold was caked in grime on the inside when I had it off to do the glow plugs, I was told that it's normal so just cleaned as much off as possible with a rag and didn't worry about it.

I did the same when I replaced the glowplugs and the air sensor.Washed the whole inlet manifold rubber hoses and the radiator air cooler situated under the main radiator in petrol to get rid of the oil, a pig of a job but unfortunately it got grubby again about a week later.The engine still stalls upon braking and pinks between 1500 and 2000 revs.

sniff diesel said:

Does the car start any better when it has a full tank of fuel? It could be the lift pump on it's way out and struggling to send fuel to the inline pupm on the engine.

It does not make a difference. There is plenty of fuel going in but it's not being ignited easily hence the white smokey cloud when I am desperately trying to give it life first thing in the morning.
The ignition relay is doing its job and so are the glow plugs and the fourth injector with the sensor attached to the ECU.
Why is the cylinder head sending so much oil down its breather outlet? I dont know, half the air filter is covered in black oil and so is the rest of the inlet system.

Could it be the valve stem seals letting pressure in from the main cylinders causing the oil to escape through the breather hose in excessive amounts? Any ideas?

[sniff diesel]

allnighter said:

Could it be the valve stem seals letting pressure in from the main cylinders causing the oil to escape through the breather hose in excessive amounts? Any ideas?

Not with that mileage I wouldn't have thought so. Sorry I can't be more help.

Had a compression test done?