Just got a landrover defender and it fails to start

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kmanderson62 said:
I took just the battery down, and yeah, got it stored away safely :)

Got the landy going but its making well, a noise that I don't think is too normal, sort of a little rumble, is that normal or? Could take a video
Click to expand...

Have you got the battery light on on the dash when the engine is running?

Stick a vid up so we can try and suss it out but summit tells me your battery isn't charging properly. I've got to nip out on a job but either someone else may be able to help or I'll take a look at the vid when I get back in.
 
joeyb said:
Sounds like either a bad connection/starter or battery.
First check battery connections, check to see if loose/hot or dirty.
Turn on lights , are they bright?
After that try charging the battery

hate to say it but u dont sound like someone that needs a landrover !
Click to expand...
.
Seconded,

You really need to be spanner-handy

Gra.
(with a Land Cruiser)
 
uk_vette said:
Doesn't sound too good at all.................
Click to expand...

Thats what I was thinking, I think one source of rumbling or vibrating is the passenger seat, as its not locked in place very tight, the dash is also pretty loose, and it only makes those noises while idling, driving it sounds a lot more... normal?
 
kmanderson62 said:
Nope, no battery light on dash

Yeah, I know I need to be, but I'm just wanting to start getting into them now, and start learning

Video of vehicle idling, not sure if this is normal or not, all the electrics work fine

Landrover Idle - YouTube

Sorry for delay, had to nip out
Click to expand...

hard to tell from that but i would not say thats a mechanical problem what engines in it?
 
Sounded to me like the idle was a little slow and the noise was vibration:)
Also sounded like a 2.5 n/a
 
kmanderson62 said:
Nope, no battery light on dash

Yeah, I know I need to be, but I'm just wanting to start getting into them now, and start learning

Video of vehicle idling, not sure if this is normal or not, all the electrics work fine

Landrover Idle - YouTube

Sorry for delay, had to nip out
Click to expand...
Just listened to it and the mid range knocking sound is similar to what i have which is the plastic spacers in the bonnet hinges. Try pushing down on these at idle to see if the noise goes or slightly increase revs by the accelerator.
 
It's a 2.5 NA Yeah

The strange noise was indeed vibration, and the rattling just under the gear stick is apparently normal in idle according to a few serving soldiers I know, however, I don't know if its anything to be concerned about or not, I'll take a video of the engine later in the day :)
 
If it's rattling it just means the engines still running "a good thing"
I wouldn't mind betting a bit of that rattle goes away when the engines warm.
Appart from that. Engine mounts. Body panels rattling. Exhaust hitting the body work?
It doesn't look like anything to worry about to me. You just need to go round it and isolate the noise.
 
Lift each wheel in turn, rotate the wheel and listen for grinding/feel any sticking points

Could just be surface rust needing to wear off or a seized calliper
 
cant really hear that well but sounds like a 2.5na thats running slightly slow, but sounds ok other than that. If its sat around for a while then will need a googd run and some TLC to get it smooth, mine took about a month or so of lots of fiddling/TLC and a couple of good long runs to get it smoother/less smoky etc.

Also if you are just starting it on your drive and letting it idle, thats fine, but let it run for a while not just 5 mins, you need to let it get up to operating temp then let it sit idling for a while once at temp.

Ideally you need to drive it around :D

I would if i was you i would do the following unless you have already done it. You could get a garage to do it but you have the ideal vehicle to learn spannering on IMO

1. change engine oil and filter
2. change fuel filter and clean out fuel sedimenter in the rear drivers wheel arch
3. drain out the coolant and fill with new on 50/50 coolant/water or 70/30 mix depending on how cold it gets where you are
4. change the gearbox and transfer box oils.
5. change the diff oils front and rear
6. change the timing belt and idler and the alternator belt
7. grease your propshafts and check/change the swivel oils
8. check your chassis very carefully to make sure it doesnt need welding anywhere.
9. check wheel bearings and re-grease if needed.
10. reset tappets.
11. check disc/pads etc for wear/pitting/rusting and change the fluid/bleed the brakes if the pedal is at all squishy or vague or the brakes lack 'bite'

That sounds like a lot but you dont have to do it in one go, you can do it bit by bit as and when you have time and money, some jobs like the timing belt you may want to get a garage to do till your more experienced spannering. Get yourself and haynes manual which will guide you through it, and search and ask on here for help with stuff!
 
flat said:
cant really hear that well but sounds like a 2.5na thats running slightly slow, but sounds ok other than that. If its sat around for a while then will need a googd run and some TLC to get it smooth, mine took about a month or so of lots of fiddling/TLC and a couple of good long runs to get it smoother/less smoky etc.

Also if you are just starting it on your drive and letting it idle, thats fine, but let it run for a while not just 5 mins, you need to let it get up to operating temp then let it sit idling for a while once at temp.

Ideally you need to drive it around :D

I would if i was you i would do the following unless you have already done it. You could get a garage to do it but you have the ideal vehicle to learn spannering on IMO

1. change engine oil and filter
2. change fuel filter and clean out fuel sedimenter in the rear drivers wheel arch
3. drain out the coolant and fill with new on 50/50 coolant/water or 70/30 mix depending on how cold it gets where you are
4. change the gearbox and transfer box oils.
5. change the diff oils front and rear
6. change the timing belt and idler and the alternator belt
7. grease your propshafts and check/change the swivel oils
8. check your chassis very carefully to make sure it doesnt need welding anywhere.
9. check wheel bearings and re-grease if needed.
10. reset tappets.
11. check disc/pads etc for wear/pitting/rusting and change the fluid/bleed the brakes if the pedal is at all squishy or vague or the brakes lack 'bite'

That sounds like a lot but you dont have to do it in one go, you can do it bit by bit as and when you have time and money, some jobs like the timing belt you may want to get a garage to do till your more experienced spannering. Get yourself and haynes manual which will guide you through it, and search and ask on here for help with stuff!
Click to expand...

Thank you, I will make a start on that list as soon as, I know some of it has already been done, but that seems like a fair bit to get cracking on with :D
 
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