1984 110 2.5 TD non runner - advice before attempting to get it going please...

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HYBRIDNI

Active Member
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335
Location
Sunny Northern Ireland
Hi,

Bought my first landy - a non runner and need some advice.

I intend to get this on the road to use for work and pleasure as quickly as possible - then work on improving it as I go along.

Ok so its been sitting for quite some time yet MOT only expired April 2013.

Its a 2.5TD engine and look s a bit rough its rusty on top as water has been leaking through wheel carrier on bonnet and oily everywhere else. But if it has life in it will do ok for now - I'm just chuffed to finally own one after 5 year wait.

Anyway - I want to start by seeing if the engine has life in it.

Can I get some beginner tips on any steps to take before trying to get the engine fired up after a while stood doing nothing.

It has no battery so intend to buy one tomorrow.

Oh and apparently it is just clicking rather than starting at the moment. Im told this is starter motor or solenoid. Does this sound about right???
 
Get a big socket on the crankshaft and turn it over by hand a few times. If it has got any problems (seized) they should become apparent!

Check that there is oil and water in it, along with brake and clutch fluids.

Check that the brakes work, check that the clutch disengages,

That's just for starters, so enjoy your LandRovering.
 
It's not been stood that long, check the oil and water, turn the crank to check it's not seized, chuck fresh fuel in and start it, bet it starts first time but be prepared to change every gasket and seal, I got a complete gasket set for about £13 including crank seal but will cost plenty in labour to change them all unless you can do it
 
as above, check and change all oils first, flush and change fuel, change filters, get it cranking, check for fuel to injectors then start her up
 
As already stated but also, short the contacts on the solenoid with a long screwdriver and also check that on the starter there should be a small spade connector with a wire going to it, if thats come off then it may not need a new starter. or get a bump start :)


congrats and goodluck!
 
Thanks for the advice.

Bought new battery today and gave it a go...

Nothing - just a single click.

Its just a halfords battery as I have a trade card but its listed as the one for my landy.

Funny though, the battery indicator shows battery barely above the red evn though battery is def good.

Intrigued by the advice on shorting the solenoid - can you elaborate as I don't know much about that?

Am I correct in saying there is a starter solenoid and it is attached to the starter motor which is located on left (right if facing engine from front) and under where the heater unit would be (see my next post for this one). Is this correct?
 
You really need to turn it over by hand with a rachet on the crank pulley bolt. There are a couple things on the starter that you short together with a piece of metal i.e. a screw driver. But first you need to know if the engine turns over by hand and your battery is charged
 
Battery is good - brand spanking new and have tested it. Although stuck some jump leads on and the indicator moved to over halfway after a minute?

Turns over by hand.

Pulled starter out today - boy thats an akward pig to get out!

Solenoid looks iffy - the wire that runs from it to starter looks like some of the insulating tape around it has melted.

Cleaned everything up - connections etc - reinstalled it all - no life.

Yes what exactly do I touch with the screwdriver? Is it the 2 threaded bolts out the front of the solenoid? Is this dodgy ie - do I need to take any precautions to avoid a shock or anything?

I am hoping its not the starter as don't intend to run this engine for too long. Just want to get it running, bit of welding sorted, tidy crazy wiring and inside cab, MOT and just drive and enjoy for a while.
 
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If i remember rightly its either one of the big connections to the small spade connector or its all 3 together. It hasn't ever shocked me but it will spark a little lol. Sounds like the starter is fu bared
 
If the battery is fully charged, but shows a low charge when connect in the car - you could have a short somewhere which drains the power.

Check the major positive line going from the battery bay to the starter, it may have rubbed through and your loosing any power into the chassis that should be going to the starter.

Maybe.
 
I'd bench test your starter......if that doesn't work, then you know that's at least one of the issues.

As others suggested, have you tried turning engine over by hand yet?
 
Nobody's mentioned the earths. Bad earth, no starty. Try connecting a jump lead from the battery negative to a solid earth point on the chassis. I'd be inclined to give it a bump start just to see if it'll run so long as you know it isn't seized. You don't want to spend money only to find the engine's knackered. Better to start looking for a 200tdi to replace it with.
 
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Thanks chaps.

Yes its turning fine. I've checked all the earths.

I am a complete novice regards electrics but I did recently buy a Gunson multimeter (its was on clearance so too cheap not to buy) so guess I need to start learning how to use it.
 
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[/URL][/IMG]Right guys, I have taken starter out again and tested according to instructions I found online...but I am a little confused.

Phoned local Land Rover specialists but they were not much help as they dont stock the starters or solenoids and said they pass these issues onto a local spark.

You guys all seem to know your stuff so please have a look at these pics.

See, I did this....

Connected jump leads to battery in jeep.

Connected neg. to solenoid/starter casing.

Connected pos. to threaded bolt - BESIDE THE ONE THAT THE CONNECTING STRAP IS ON (ie- the strap that connects solenoid to starter.

Bridged pos. connection to spade connector as shown in all the online info.

Nothing happened - few sparks but no life BUT...

If I touch the bolt holding starter/solenoid cable then I get lots of sparks and motor turns.

So confused...

Even if I swap bolt that sol/starter connecting cable is on and do same - touch with red jump lead - lots of sparks and motor whizzes.

FINALLY - I notice the starter/sol. connecting cable is attached to bolt with little metal bit/lip - SEE photo. Is this attached to correct one? Have tried cable on both and if touch with Pos. jump lead motor whizzes on both but all online vids show the battery lead connected to this?

I know this is a mouthful of text but difficult to put it all into quick post. If anybody who knows their stuff could enlighten me would be very thankful as dont want to buy starter if doesnt need it - especially as just trying to get it running so can drive uphill into garage and get better look at it all.

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Also just found this - it explains what I meant when I mention touching with pos. jump lead and getting a BIG spark...

Bench Testing a Starter Motor

So basically, if this is correct then I have unknowingly performed this test which suggests the solenoid is at fault.

But please do read the above post - I have had more advice and info from you guys on here than every other garage/mechanic I have spoken to...including the local BLRC.

So thanks...its been a lifesaver and allowed me to at least fiddle with a general idea of what I am supposed to be doing.

Any advice on the solenoid terminal question would be much appreciated.
 
Well, it's possible to make the motor rotate, so that suggests the motor itself is OK. It might be semi burned out, so that it will spin freely but doesn't have the grunt to turn the engine over, but let's assume it's OK. In which case that suggests the solenoid. I can't see from the photos, but is there any way of getting inside the solenoid? Occasionally the internal terminals get corroded and verdigrised so the current doesn't get through. if you can get inside the solenoid it is possible to file the crap off and improve matters. Presumably the wire from the ignition switch to activate the starter goes on that spade terminal I can see, and a large wire from the battery goes on that terminal with a nut on that doesn't have anything on it at the moment?. The bit of strip you point out seems to go from the large input terminal and is soldered to a wire that goes inside the solenoid. So that's probably supposed to be there!
 
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