Advice please!

Hi,
Just purchased my first landrover - a 1986, 2.5 diesel 90 and drove it about 50 miles to get it home. There were a few little things that I thought someone might be able to help me with.
Firstly, there was a bit of a diesely smell inside and a bit of smoke pulling away even when warm, but it has done 120,000miles - mabe this is normal? secondly, the heater was on hot/fullblast and warm air was coming out but I think it was just through the vehicle moving, not actually blowing - should it blow air out? Thirdly, on full lock there is a squeeling noise (not a farmers pig stuck under the wing) and a bit of a whine at 50 that goes at 60, plus another smaller squeeling noise from somewhere at the back heard at low speeds. Also the radio and interior light went off? and the horn has stopped working but not at the same time.
I'll take the manual to bed now and try and get an idea what some of these things are, but would be really grateful to anyone who has any ideas.
PS - is 65/70 it's top speed.
Aside from this I'm chuffed to bits.
Thanks
Andy

albinoni said:

Hi,
Just purchased my first landrover - a 1986, 2.5 diesel 90 and drove it about 50 miles to get it home. There were a few little things that I thought someone might be able to help me with.
Firstly, there was a bit of a diesely smell inside and a bit of smoke pulling away even when warm, but it has done 120,000miles - mabe this is normal? YES secondly, the heater was on hot/fullblast and warm air was coming out but I think it was just through the vehicle moving, not actually blowing - should it blow air out? Count yourself lucky there is any heat at all. Thirdly, on full lock there is a squeeling noise (not a farmers pig stuck under the wing A domestic pig maybe) and a bit of a whine at 50 that goes at 60, plus another smaller squeeling noise from somewhere at the back heard at low speeds. Also the radio and interior light went off? and the horn has stopped working but not at the same time. Better than them all coming on at the same time
I'll take the manual to bed now and try and get an idea what some of these things are, but would be really grateful to anyone who has any ideas.
PS - is 65/70 it's top speed. Yes
Aside from this I'm chuffed to bits. This wont last
Thanks
Andy

Click to expand...

Welcome

If thats all thats wrong with a 24 year old land rover you've had a result.
good on yer.

Thanks guys - much happier now!
Interested to see if anyone knows how to fix the squealing on full lock
ps - is it ok that the steering wheel turns like quarter of a turn before you actually change direction?
Cheers

see if the belt is loose

albinoni said:

Hi,
Just purchased my first landrover - a 1986, 2.5 diesel 90 and drove it about 50 miles to get it home. There were a few little things that I thought someone might be able to help me with.
Firstly, there was a bit of a diesely smell inside and a bit of smoke pulling away even when warm, but it has done 120,000miles - mabe this is normal? secondly, the heater was on hot/fullblast and warm air was coming out but I think it was just through the vehicle moving, not actually blowing - should it blow air out? Thirdly, on full lock there is a squeeling noise (not a farmers pig stuck under the wing) and a bit of a whine at 50 that goes at 60, plus another smaller squeeling noise from somewhere at the back heard at low speeds. Also the radio and interior light went off? and the horn has stopped working but not at the same time.
I'll take the manual to bed now and try and get an idea what some of these things are, but would be really grateful to anyone who has any ideas.
PS - is 65/70 it's top speed.
Aside from this I'm chuffed to bits.
Thanks
Andy

Click to expand...

LOL welcome to owning a Landy mate!

When youve sorted all the little faults out new ones will soon apear...... Just an ongoing thing....... Like breathing i spose!

Sounds perfect - have you invested in a good set of tools yet?

albinoni said:

Hi,
Just purchased my first landrover - a 1986, 2.5 diesel 90 and drove it about 50 miles to get it home. There were a few little things that I thought someone might be able to help me with.
Firstly, there was a bit of a diesely smell inside and a bit of smoke pulling away even when warm, but it has done 120,000miles - mabe this is normal? secondly, the heater was on hot/fullblast and warm air was coming out but I think it was just through the vehicle moving, not actually blowing - should it blow air out? Thirdly, on full lock there is a squeeling noise (not a farmers pig stuck under the wing) and a bit of a whine at 50 that goes at 60, plus another smaller squeeling noise from somewhere at the back heard at low speeds. Also the radio and interior light went off? and the horn has stopped working but not at the same time.
I'll take the manual to bed now and try and get an idea what some of these things are, but would be really grateful to anyone who has any ideas.
PS - is 65/70 it's top speed.
Aside from this I'm chuffed to bits.
Thanks
Andy

Click to expand...

Assuming it's got its original 2.5 N/A (12J) engine, you've got yourself a bullet proof motor there providing it's well serviced and not driven like a racing car, it'll even run with bits missing off it. I swapped my ageing N/A for a 200TDi to feel the added benefit of direct injection and turbo power but I've had nothing but problems since I plonked it in - hence the reason why the army stuck with the older (comparatively underpowered but reliable) diesels. Give it a fresh oil, fuel and air filter every year and swap the oil every 18 months to see it serve you well. Never use any engine flushing / cleaning additives in the oil because it'll dissolve the carbon deposits which aid compression in and around the cylinders / valves etc. Injector cleaner in the tank once or twice a year is wise.

A trail of black / grey smoke is perfectly normal when pulling away, and you'll find that it kicks out a cloud of white smoke for fifteen seconds or so when you first start it from cold. Tip: When starting up, ensure the gearbox is in neutral, fully press the clutch and keep your foot right off the accelerator (this engages the cold start mechanism in the pump when you start cranking the engine). Hold the glow plugs on for at least 25 seconds. Turn the key and it should fire up without wobbling and spluttering too much. They can take some starting if it's very cold outside, again perfectly normal.

The whine is more than likely the gearbox, it's perfectly normal and it's just a matter of getting used to it. You could try giving the gearbox some fresh oil (ATF or MTF) which can sometimes deaden it or sometimes make it louder!

Enjoy
-Pos

Thanks POS, That's really good advice!
I'll get the filters/oil changed and read up on checking and topping up the gearbox oil!
Just taken the instrument panel out to clean it all up and put new bulbs in - seems like a long time since I've had a car (sorry LR) to tinker with - forgot how enjoyable (and frustrating - just broke the hazard switch ) it is!