We have here a typical example of what water will do when entering a cob wall, This particular problem was through water constantly running of the roof as there was no guttering.
In time it washed out the Cob and caused a crack that then had to be stitched together with Helifix Stainless Steel Twist bars and then lime rendered.
Once dry a etching fluid was applied to the wall and then a fixative followed by two coats of Beeckosil breathable paint.