Mystery V8 failure

Hi,

My V8 110 (1989) broke down yesterday.

My wife (who was driving it) reported that it started easily (as usual), but that there was a noise like "a leaf stuck in a fan". After 2 miles it died, all the lights went out (it was dark) and it came to a halt. She tired to restart it and it wouldn't turn over, but the lights came back on again.

AA thought is was the battery! And it was recovered - using a winch on the (now bent!) front underside protection bar - which is another story.

Tried it this morning and it would just fractionally turn over. Battery from our 2010 diesel Defender (quite meaty) would only just turn it over a little more. Not the battery!

Took all the spark plugs out and it only makes a slight difference, still only just moving. It puts a hell of a load on the battery, leads getting very hot, when you try to start it.

Starter motor seems to operate OK - engages easily and tires to turn the engine.

Prior to this it had been running very sweetly, and there is no visible sign of any change.

Any thoughts about this would be very, very welcome.

Thanks!

Random guess - wonder if a piston ring has broken and jammed in the bore?

Hi Station House,

Many thanks for your repsonse.

Something physically restricting the engine from turning is an interesting avenue of thought, but does it explain the dying of all the electrics before it came to a halt?

If its a 3.5L I have a LR MOD remanufactured one with 11 month warranty on it if you need a replacement

OldV8 said:

Hi Station House,
does it explain the dying of all the electrics before it came to a halt?

Click to expand...

Possibly not to be fair - I was just picking up on the 'difficulty in turning' and the noise you mentioned before it happened.

Might be worth removing the spark plugs, putting in neutral and seeing if you can turn the engine over using a large socket on the bottom crank pulley - if yes, not a physical obstruction

starter motor has jammed in mesh....fluttering noise starter struggling to disengage...sudden loss of electrical circuits was due to excessive draw from the starter.......wont turn over because the starter is jamming the engine...high draw from jumping is because is stuck....

remove the starter and check...
if this doesent help remove the alternator belt and try cranking it over as the alternator could of failed and jamming it up...i have had both of these before...

Wow Stoney, you may have saved OldV8's bacon with that! Great info.

Many thanks Stoneytd5,

I am trying your suggestion (I like it because it doesn't involve taking the engine apart!). Taking me longer than I thought to remove the starter motor, due to corroded allen bolt, so thought I would just let you know.

Well if its just the starter that needs replacing I also have one of them if need be

Just wanted to thank all for your thoughts. And Stoneytd5 you are a genius! It was exactly what you said.

Glad you got it sorted, and that it wasn't internal engine related

OldV8 said:

Just wanted to thank all for your thoughts. And Stoneytd5 you are a genius! It was exactly what you said.

Click to expand...

no worries matey here to help!!!!

Well you have cheered some one up big time! :cheer2: