I will soon be investigating a fault into a 2.0 HDi 110bhp direct injection diesel engine.

(No, I'm not changing my Omega, and this is not for me!)

Bascially it wouldn't start without holding down the gas pedal, and when started runs very rough. When foot comes off gas, engine instantly stalls.

Had a look at the cambelt, all is intact. Though cambelt was changed (by an unknown person) 400 miles ago, so this could be related to the fault.

Upon removal of the rocker cover, I could see that it has rocker arms (not hydraulic followers!!) under the camshaft. Never seen this before... I then noticed that on no3, the rocker arm was missing! And was hiding in a recess down in  the head. It's not broken that I Can see though, so no idea how it's 'come off'

I also don't think being one cylinder down would cause such bad running, to the extent it won't idle at all.

Anyone have any experience of these motors or any knowledge of this fault?

Guessing I need to fit another rocker  arm, check  cambelt fitment / valve timing closely, and take it from there!!

JamesV6CDX wrote on 02. May 2011 at 22:22:

..... I then noticed that on no3, the rocker arm was missing! ......

You sure you haven't worked on this before .....  ::) ;) ;) ;)

My TD Astra has rocker arms under the cam too.  :y

Andy B wrote on 02. May 2011 at 22:37:

JamesV6CDX wrote on 02. May 2011 at 22:22: ..... I then noticed that on no3, the rocker arm was missing! ...... You sure you haven't worked on this before .....  ::) ;) ;) ;)

Sod  off, that was a cam follower, not a rocker, and it was found in the boot, not the cylinder head ;D

JamesV6CDX wrote on 02. May 2011 at 22:39:

Andy B wrote on 02. May 2011 at 22:37: JamesV6CDX wrote on 02. May 2011 at 22:22: ..... I then noticed that on no3, the rocker arm was missing! ...... You sure you haven't worked on this before .....  ::) ;) ;) ;) Sod  off, that was a cam follower, not a rocker, and it was found in the boot, not the cylinder head ;D

;) ;) ;) ;)

Sounds bad, yes one cylinder down is a lot.

Sump off and look for rest of rocker.

We need pictures

JamesV6CDX wrote on 02. May 2011 at 22:22:

I then noticed that on no3, the rocker arm was missing! And was hiding in a recess down in  the head. It's not broken that I Can see though, so no idea how it's 'come off' I also don't think being one cylinder down would cause such bad running, to the extent it won't idle at all.

Many years ago (1986 to be precise) I managed to bounce a rocker off it's mounting in an MG Metro Turbo, that didn't like running on 3 cylinders either (to the point where some fancy footwork was required to keep it running).

JamesV6CDX wrote on 02. May 2011 at 22:22:

I will soon be investigating a fault into a 2.0 HDi 110bhp direct injection diesel engine. (No, I'm not changing my Omega, and this is not for me!) Bascially it wouldn't start without holding down the gas pedal, and when started runs very rough. When foot comes off gas, engine instantly stalls. Had a look at the cambelt, all is intact. Though cambelt was changed (by an unknown person) 400 miles ago, so this could be related to the fault. Upon removal of the rocker cover, I could see that it has rocker arms (not hydraulic followers!!) under the camshaft. Never seen this before... I then noticed that on no3, the rocker arm was missing! And was hiding in a recess down in  the head. It's not broken that I Can see though, so no idea how it's 'come off' I also don't think being one cylinder down would cause such bad running, to the extent it won't idle at all. Anyone have any experience of these motors or any knowledge of this fault? Guessing I need to fit another rocker  arm, check  cambelt fitment / valve timing closely, and take it from there!!

sounds like someone had a problem when changing that belt james,the hdi engine can be locked with setting pins to check timing.those rockers are designed to break in the event of piston/valve contact so saving the valves themselves so worth fitting a new one and re-timing engine

Cambelt off and Camshaft out,

The top of the no3 valve stem has taken a whack, and the plunger ball joint on that rocker has broken off from the plunger, leaving the remains in the hole in the cylinder head, and it's well and truly in there.

Think I'm going to have to pull it's (cylinder) head off.

Bloody turbo pipes, inlet and exhaust all at the back up against bulkhead, no bloody idea how to get it all off  ::)

'Tis the balljoint on the top of number 1 in the pic, that's broken off!

http://peugeot406coupe.nl/catalogus/images/D9G/IG09A75A.PNG

JamesV6CDX wrote on 04. May 2011 at 11:11:

Cambelt off and Camshaft out, The top of the no3 valve stem has taken a whack, and the plunger ball joint on that rocker has broken off from the plunger, leaving the remains in the hole in the cylinder head, and it's well and truly in there. Think I'm going to have to pull it's (cylinder) head off. Bloody turbo pipes, inlet and exhaust all at the back up against bulkhead, no bloody idea how to get it all off  ::)

they ain't nice to remove,just thank your lucky stars its not the 206 2.0hdi as they are much worse :D