Died on motorway and won't start

[bighiggs79]

Hi all. I'm hoping someone can help. My discovery 3, 2.7, seemed fine but suddenly died whilst on the dual carriageway. Managed to get it to the hard shoulder but it wouldn't start again. Got it towed home but still no joy. I've taken the battery out and fully charged it but still nothing. When you try to start it it's like it tries to turn over but won't quite manage it. There is a bad smell in the car too. When you try to turn it over the fan turns a bit, intermittently, but it just won't start. Any help would be massively appreciated. Thank you

 

[Stanleysteamer]

Try turning the engine with a spanner on the end of the crankshaft.
If it won't turn you may well have the dreaded broken crank.

Welcome to the forum by the way.

 

[bighiggs79]

Try turning the engine with a spanner on the end of the crankshaft.
If it won't turn you may well have the dreaded broken crank.

Welcome to the forum by the way.

Thank you for that. I will try now. If.... You could help me with how to do it. As you might get I am a total novice and have no idea how to do that. Thank you again

 

[lynall]

Thank you for that. I will try now. If.... You could help me with how to do it. As you might get I am a total novice and have no idea how to do that. Thank you again

If you remove the front smaller under shield (4 bolts) you might get to it that way.
But if when you try and crank it the fan only turns a little it does not sound like good news.
Have you checked the levels oil/coolant etc?

 

[bighiggs79]

The coolant is empty. It exploded everywhere when it died on the motorway

 

[Stanleysteamer]

The coolant is empty. It exploded everywhere when it died on the motorway

Did the engine overheat before the catastrophe? If so it is possible that you have a blown head gasket or other coolant system related problem. It is faintly possible that this caused the engine to seize.
@gstuart is one man for these vehicles, among others.
Now that I have tagged him he will pop on and advise further.
If you are a total novice then it is unlikely you with have tools, but not necessarily so.
Have a read of this. Not funny, sorry.

DISCO3.CO.UK - View topic - CRANKSHAFT FAILURE

Community site dedicated to Discovery 3, 4 LR3 and LR4 Owners and Enthusiasts. Totally free to join - message boards, galleries, wiki, off road events, social meetings.

www.disco3.co.uk

 

[lynall]

The coolant is empty. It exploded everywhere when it died on the motorway

Then to be honest I would not waste any money on diagnostic/repairs, I think it might be time for the car to meet the great scrapyard in the sky, sad as when running right they are great cars.

 

[gstuart]

Wonder if it would be worth removing the engine oil filter , then cut the filter open. Lay it flat onto a clean bit of towel etc and see if u can see any metal shardes

Other things like the oil pump casing can also break , particularly on ones that are after 2007

But indeed as mentioned might not be worth repairing , even more so seeing there’s no water in it and could have warped the heads

 

[lynall]

Wonder if it would be worth removing the engine oil filter , then cut the filter open. Lay it flat onto a clean bit of towel etc and see if u can see any metal shardes

Other things like the oil pump casing can also break , particularly on ones that are after 2007

But indeed as mentioned might not be worth repairing , even more so seeing there’s no water in it and could have warped the heads

As soon as I read header tank empty, I thought damaged bores.

Truth is older d3 like mine are pretty much worthless, even the newest d3 will be 16 years old.

Have you got yours welded yet?

 

[gstuart]

As soon as I read header tank empty, I thought damaged bores.

Truth is older d3 like mine are pretty much worthless, even the newest d3 will be 16 years old.

Have you got yours welded yet?

Ah yes very true and great point, read that many classics are plummeting in price

Indeed as mine is now 20 x years old

No not yet , waiting for the the warmer weather , have all the new inner and outer steel panels and 2 x rolls of kunifor , plus brake fittings

Also seen others that have been suffering with rusty sills and the steel brake pipes that rust front to back

Hope u are good mate and ur D3 is also running well

 

[bighiggs79]

Wonder if it would be worth removing the engine oil filter , then cut the filter open. Lay it flat onto a clean bit of towel etc and see if u can see any metal shardes

Other things like the oil pump casing can also break , particularly on ones that are after 2007

But indeed as mentioned might not be worth repairing , even more so seeing there’s no water in it and could have warped the heads

I removed the oil filter, cut it open and there are millions of bits of tiny metal shards in it. What does that mean?

 

[gstuart]

I removed the oil filter, cut it open and there are millions of bits of tiny metal shards in it. What does that mean?

I’m afraid that normally means the engine is stuffed if there are a lot of metal shards in the oil filter

 

[gstuart]

I removed the oil filter, cut it open and there are millions of bits of tiny metal shards in it. What does that mean?

I’m afraid that normally means the engine is stuffed if there are a lot of metal shards

What is the year and mileage plse thks

 

[bighiggs79]

I’m afraid that normally means the engine is stuffed if there are slot or metal shards

What is the year and mileage plse this

2007. 180k

 

[lynall]

2007. 180k

Cancel the road tax asap.

 

[gstuart]

2007. 180k

That’s a shame , have u owned it long plse

Wonder if it had the updated oil pump

Plus -1 to the road tax being cancelled

 

[bighiggs79]

That’s a shame , have u owned it long plse

Wonder if it had the updated oil pump

Plus -1 to the road tax being cancelled

I've only had it for about 4 months. Last week I replaced the driveshaft, all the discs and pads, new oil filters etc. 3 weeks ago changed the suspension arms and bushes. I've put about £1500 into it in 4 months and now it's worthless. I'm thinking about buying a second hand engine and fitting that. I didn't know about the oil pump. Gutted

 

[lynall]

I've only had it for about 4 months. Last week I replaced the driveshaft, all the discs and pads, new oil filters etc. 3 weeks ago changed the suspension arms and bushes. I've put about £1500 into it in 4 months and now it's worthless. I'm thinking about buying a second hand engine and fitting that. I didn't know about the oil pump. Gutted

Did you do the oil change yourself?

 

[bighiggs79]

Did you do the oil change yourself?

Yeah. Did change the pump though

 

[lynall]

Yeah. Did change the pump though

Did you fit oil filter first then the cap or clip the filter into the cap then fit as one unit?