My Disco's a diva in the cold

I am new to this site. Well to the whole world of the internet really. So I apologise if this is the wrong place to put this.

I have been struggling to find a sensible answer to a problem that has been plagueing me for the last couple of weeks.

My N plate 3.9 V8 disco seem to be averse to sitting out in the cold. I got it about 8 months ago, and apart from the usual intermittant odd noise, and various wee leeks it has done all that has been asked of it.

It is just recently that I have been having trouble. When it is cold. Especially if it has been left for a day or two. (it is a bit pricey on fuel to use for my daily commute!) It has real trouble starting.

It turns over. The battery seems fine, and it shows some signs of life, but it will not run. Next, in what has become the procedure, is to get the car out to jump start it when the battery power declines. Then after some considerable time it will fire and run, and cause no more problems for the day once warm. Apart from the inconvenience of needing a second car to get the old beast going. I am concerned that cranking it for such long periods will be causing some damage. Especially when, as recently I needed to have it, and I had to keep it cranking whilst it spluttered to start it.

A lengthy note I'm afraid, but all advice will be gratefully recieved.

Many thanks,

A

what have you checked so far ? plugs , leads , coils ,fuel pump and pipes , solenoids etc ?

Have checked plugs, leads, fuel pump, etc, all the usual suspects. That was my initial thoughts. I did what I would usually do on the other engine I work with. Check fuel, and a decent spark. I was wondering if there might be something in the sensors that could be playing up. As I said normally no problem at all. The perverse machine started relatively easily this morning. The coldest we've had here so far! I say relatively. Still not what I would call normal for it.

A

common problem I'm afraid, it's sulking .

It's a v8 and will need a decent battery, my guess is yours isn't delivering enough, cold weather has a habit of sussing poor batteries.

Well I think it is back to square one, and check everything again. You are definately right about it sulking. Actually, at the risk of being branded sexist, I think "it" has just become "she". I any case I can definately rule out any temp sensors because she has started fine these past two days in the freezing cold. I think she is just jealous that I take the car to work. Hey ho, all the joys of landrover ownership. Many thanks for your input.

Cheers, and Happy Christmas

A