Hello,

I thought I would verify the obvious. I was driving my 87 300sdl with a 603 six engine and it suddenly lost power followed by white smoke (steam? smells like coolant) pouring out of my exhaust pipe. I'm pretty sure it is at least a blown head gasket, hopefully, the head is not warped. Are there any clues to this? The car only has 110k miles, and I just bought it a month ago.

I did notice the car lost a little bit of power prior to this, and a couple times the engine bogged at around 4200rpm. not severe though.

Is there any way to verify what it is before ripping the engine apart?

The engine no longer starts.

 

You sir have a blown head gasket at least and at worst a cracked head or block. I wouldn't bet on the block cracking though - they are pretty tough.

The head gaskets are under a lot of strain in a diesel with the compression so high etc.

Its best to just pull it apart and have a compitant local machine shop rebuild it for you. They are not cheap - but its not as bad as buying another car.

This would be a good time to replace the timing chain too. Since you are there already.

 

Did it suddenly let go or did it over heat first? if it suddenly let go, it's possible it's a head gasket. If it overheated it's possible it has warped the head. If you have only had the car a month it probably had the overheat trouble before you owned it. Check it all closely

 

Head gaskets are not that tough to change if you have the tools. Just go slow and use the manual.

If its warped a new gasket will blow eventually too - so a machine shop will need to bring it back true. Only way to really know is to take the head in and have them check it.

 

It suddenly went out. I am preparing for the worst, and approaching it as if it is a warped/cracked head. I think I will check the casting number to see if it is the bad (#14 one). Let you know what happens.