I had to buy pd130 airbox and MAF complete from elsewhere. Also had to get the vacuum assembly too - but this is all related to a pd130 conversion, not a straight swap or anything like that.

Ah forgot you weren't replacing like for like.

If it is found the bottom end is f*cked I'm gonna look very hard at ripping out the engine - no idea what options I've got yet but this might have to happen.

Thing is I would drop the PD150 engine in but that has a worse reputation for reliability and also the turbo won't fit, so not quite sure what will be the final thing we end up doing.

With PD injectors for the PD130 on order though, I don't really fancy doing a major 'swap away from PD130 block' right now

If it is found the bottom end is f*cked I'm gonna look very hard at ripping out the engine - no idea what options I've got yet but this might have to happen.

Thing is I would drop the PD150 engine in but that has a worse reputation for reliability and also the turbo won't fit, so not quite sure what will be the final thing we end up doing.

With PD injectors for the PD130 on order though, I don't really fancy doing a major 'swap away from PD130 block' right now

Unlucky. I was worried this was the problem when I read that the rebuilt engine went wrong so fast. Don't forget to rip the injectors out of the old head as they're the single most expensive bits in the whole thing. Although after your expense on the top half of the engine I wonder whether its cheaper to just replace the bottom end like for like? I have a PD150 crankshaft and bits at home, but not looking in best condition. I could get you some pics. I have no sump which I guess wouldn't be an issue.

oil in the water would suggest that the oil cooler was faulty , i may have changed it anyway as a precaution, then flushed all the pipes out , just in case immulsified oil was blocking the coolant flow somewhere

Will have a word with them tomorrow, I'm intending to drop in for a little visit mid morning just to see what's going on & will post back an update.

The problem is where to stop spending cash really, the rate I'm spending dosh at the moment it might be cheaper to drop in a different engine

Have they pressure tested the head and block to check for cracks.

The head was tested completely. The only way to check the block is to get it x-rayed apparently for hair cracks etc. However if it gets to that point I will have to seriously consider my options to keep the repairs roughly cost-effective

That's one of the reasons I'm popping by tomorrow morning sometime, I want to speak with the guys working on my engine to find out their opinion as well.

Can do an air test on the cooling circuit.

They did that last time, no problems found then & will mention it to them tomorrow.

The worry is that it could be a hair crack or something fun like that, which wouldn't show unless the engine was fairly hot, which annoyingly might be why it didnt go wrong for quite some time :(

We'll see what happens, no idea if the 2.0 liter bottom end would fit Mad ideas welcome

If it is found the bottom end is f*cked I'm gonna look very hard at ripping out the engine - no idea what options I've got yet but this might have to happen.

Thing is I would drop the PD150 engine in but that has a worse reputation for reliability and also the turbo won't fit, so not quite sure what will be the final thing we end up doing.

With PD injectors for the PD130 on order though, I don't really fancy doing a major 'swap away from PD130 block' right now

The PD130 and PD150 are the same engine and the injectors, turbo is only different.

True - that however does mean I cant swap to it as I've got the stage 2 hybrid on now

Next update will probably be on Monday, and I reckon that will be along the lines of 'engine back together, flushed'