my wife was driving our delica l400 2.8 td and the engine just stoped. there was no warning nofaults, or noise. she saids no warning lights came on at all. went down to look and all electrics are fine. undone slightly one of the injectors and fuel was being pumped. the engine does not even try to fire just turns over on the starter. this is an diesel not petrol (td) but the engine sounds like it has no compression, there`s no hissing or pouting sounds just seems to turn over very fast ( rremember it does not fire at all). the only sound to decribe the sound of the engine when turning over with starter motor is that of a sewing machine, no knocking, scratching just nothing else. had a recovery around to get it started they had no idea, had mobile mechanic same no idea.
any ideas help
ta steve

Thought any readers might want to know what the problem was?.
well after removing the head we found that the cam shaft had broke in two, this leaving the valves open and causing lack of compression. futher damage cause was done to the valves that had made contact with the pistons. thank god though no damage had been done to bottom half of the engine at all. I had to replace the head as due to the ceramic inserts were unable to have the head reskimed, so had to replace the head, cam shaft, and valves. so after spending loads of cash which I will never see ( i`e could of bought a new stereo or something) now have our delica back up and running again.
hope this helps with any other person who may have the same symtoms.
steve

Hi Steve,

Thanks :liebe011: for letting us know what the problem was, never heard of a camshaft breaking, how many miles were on the engine ?

Niek