Technical 2016 Ducato 2.3 multijet 130 LWB Timing Jumped

[amcfad]

Hi all, we had a cold night about a fortnight ago -7 and my van failed to start the next morning, I contacted a mobile repair guy who diagnosed the EGR valve was stuck open and a camshaft sensor issue. He advised remapping to take that out and the van should run cost £370. That never worked, he then said it must be the sensor, a new OE sensor was ordered and came back to fit it £40, the van was still not starting, and nothing more he could do.

I got the van recovered to the local garage I use for MOTS etc, they let me know yesterday that the timing had jumped a couple of teeth, and they reset the timing but it still wont start. I was surprised with that as they had put a timing belt and water pump in around 3 years/9,000 miles ago.

At this point they told me they need to check the compression to see if there is any engine damage but didn't have the correct machine/tool for the 2.3 Iveco engine, however, if I wanted to buy one for them to use they would be happy to continue testing.

The other option was to put a reconditioned engine in.

Does anyone have any idea what could be causing this and could point the way forward, any help would be gratefully received, this could potentially be the second 2.3 I have had that requires either scraping or a reconditioned engine in the space of 3 years.

 

[Googlebot]

Difficult to say what’s happened with the engine.

Seems weird that the garage want you to buy their tools though and it is a common engine that they should have the kit for.

I would get it recovered to a garage who actually have the right tools and skills to diagnose.

 

[amcfad]

Difficult to say what’s happened with the engine.

Seems weird that the garage want you to buy their tools though and it is a common engine that they should have the kit for.

I would get it recovered to a garage who actually have the right tools and skills to diagnose.

I thought so too, they are a well-known van hire company with a big workshop and within a couple of miles of me. Their fleet has Relays and Experts and the workshop does camper vans etc. The workshop manager said they don't work on these engines much. This was after replacing the timing belt previously on this van and servicing the other for 10 years or more, I have the feeling they don't want to do anything other than quick in and out jobs.

I searched compression testers and checked one out it would do 2.0, 2.2 and 2.5 litre ducatos but the 2.3 was omitted, I know this is the Iveco engine but I found that strange, maybe someone could shed light on that.

I have noted a couple of other garages here in Glasgow that work on motorhomes etc, and will give them a call, I'm not wanting to lose this van it has had new earths, new alternator and starter and a new fusebox fitted as soon as I got, it was running perfectly well until this freezing issue.

 

[FreeSpirit]

Hi. you will probably find that the cold temperatures you experienced was the cause of the timing belt jumping a few teeth. Water enters through the infamous leaking scuttle & works its way down into the cam cover & then freezes in place on the cam belt somewhere. Then when you attempt to start it the belt jumps over the ice a few teeth & that is what throws the timing out! It has been documented on the forum a few times which is why it is vital to ensure that there is no water entering the engine compartment anytime. I've got a 2016 X290 3.0 (no timing belt) which I discovered not long after we bought it that after the first rain one of the auxiliary belts would make a rather loud noise for a few minutes until the water cleared, I then searched & tested, then sealed every place water was leaking, including the 2 piece middle drain pipe which also leaked at the middle join, luckily in Queensland we don't get -7 temps.
I don't think people take the poor scuttle design & leaking water seriously enough as the cause of many mystery electrical problems down the track not to mention the rusting injector problem.
Cheers

 

[the green vanper]

I don't think people take the poor scuttle design & leaking water seriously enough as the cause of many mystery electrical problems down the track not to mention the rusting injector problem.

I totally agree. The problem is widely described, but people take it seriously only if something happens to their vans.

In my Natural Power x250 the water is causing misfires. Both on petrol and methane. Workshops had different 'genius' ideas but decided not to let them do anything. And miraculously drying around the spark plugs with a paper towel made the problem disappear

There was even a service campain launched by FIAT, but of course my van is not covered, as it was produced after the problem should have been resolved at the factory

Luckily got the paper and simply will have to seal here and there to prevent it happen in the future.

But sealing the scuttle tray is a different thing.

 

[Googlebot]

This chap is a Fiat master tech, he also comes recommended on a motorhome forum if that’s any use?

 

[amcfad]

This chap is a Fiat master tech, he also comes recommended on a motorhome forum if that’s any use?

View attachment 458852

Fantastic, I will contact him, thank you.

 

[amcfad]

Hi. you will probably find that the cold temperatures you experienced was the cause of the timing belt jumping a few teeth. Water enters through the infamous leaking scuttle & works its way down into the cam cover & then freezes in place on the cam belt somewhere. Then when you attempt to start it the belt jumps over the ice a few teeth & that is what throws the timing out! It has been documented on the forum a few times which is why it is vital to ensure that there is no water entering the engine compartment anytime. I've got a 2016 X290 3.0 (no timing belt) which I discovered not long after we bought it that after the first rain one of the auxiliary belts would make a rather loud noise for a few minutes until the water cleared, I then searched & tested, then sealed every place water was leaking, including the 2 piece middle drain pipe which also leaked at the middle join, luckily in Queensland we don't get -7 temps.
I don't think people take the poor scuttle design & leaking water seriously enough as the cause of many mystery electrical problems down the track not to mention the rusting injector problem.
Cheers

I had done the scuttle seal with vinyl tape. I put some waterproof cover over the fusebox area at the n/s headlight, I was planning on redoing it all last year, but along with the poor year weather wise, we had a hard year as a family due to bereavments so it just slipped by.

I have contacted Graham from the link shared and another garage who came recommended that do MOTS and services for motor homes, so hopefully I can get this back on the road soon.

 

[amcfad]

Just a quick update on this, unfortunately I didn't have somewhere undercover for Logan services to do the repairs, they are a mobile service, but I believe they will have premises also very soon. The van has now been recovered to The Engine Room in Motherwell, they seem to have good reviews, I will let you all know of my experience when the van is ready, approximately 2 weeks for a reconditioned engine.