Tempting but no, I have enough issues of my own. :)
It a shame, but appears you where misinformed from day one.
I have heard the easy start problem many times over the years but to be honest if it won't start with that there is some issues !
The V8 is is usually quite an easy engine to work on, it is the electronics which complicate matters.
Make your next LandRover something more simple to learn mechanics on. It really not that difficult, patience, time and Landyzone can sort most issues. 😉
 
I think the plan now is either:
1.) Buy another landy (probably a 200tdi disco or rrc), keep the good bits from mine and then sell/scrap whats left
Or 2.) Buy a spare engine from a breaker (and whilst Im there I may as well get an ecu and everything to make sure Ive not got more faults) then if I fancy more power, rebuild my original engine, possibly with a 4.6 crankshaft etc?
If I did the 2nd option, whats the best way of making sure I dont have a complex issue again? Go for carbs and an old school ignition off an early rrc?
 
Let's recap..
Engine suddenly stopped running, prior to that it was ok.
It's been at a garage who couldn't help.
Honestly i don't think there's much up with the engine, you've tested for fuel so it has to be spark/ecu related.
If i was closer or at least in the area I'd come take a look at it but i can't say when that will be
I'll bet if you put a new engine in, it still won't run
 
Let's recap..
Engine suddenly stopped running, prior to that it was ok.
It's been at a garage who couldn't help.
Honestly i don't think there's much up with the engine, you've tested for fuel so it has to be spark/ecu related.
If i was closer or at least in the area I'd come take a look at it but i can't say when that will be
I'll bet if you put a new engine in, it still won't run
Okay yes, lets recap.
Dec 2022 - Doesnt start, is getting fuel, was sparking once when cranking but never more than once. Changed ignition coil, made no difference. Then it went on a flatbed to a garage.
Jan/Feb/March 2023 - garage say its the distributor. They tell me they cant find one, so I source one from a breakers yard and they install it, then call me and say its still not working. They try and give me a massive bill, we argue and I come and get the car away and settle the bill.
March-June 2023 - the car sat at uni, with me trying to fix it occasionally. Sometimes the fuel pump worked, sometimes it didnt. It was now sparking correctly, but now there was nothing coming out of the fuel injectors and they werent getting any power.
June 2023 - gets moved from uni to a specialist, who does some testing and concludes that its got low/no compression on 4 of 8 cylinders (not all on the same bank) and that it needs a rebuild.
Present day - its sitting at the specialists garage waiting to be moved.
If I do change the engine, Ill be buying one I can see running and Ill buy it with everything (ecu, wiring, fuel pump, etc)
 
If no fuel at injector, does it have the high pressure pump ? Some V8's have a swirl pot in Tank and High pressure pump, possibly underneath the car?
 
Intermittent spark, intermittent fuel. Wasn't sparking and now it is, was injecting fuel, now it's not. Cylinder compression, or lack of, won't impact either.
I'm going to say possibly an ecu problem, but more likely to be bad connection/earth somewhere, possibly multiple places
 
Either way, low compression = needs new engine or rebuild.
So Ive put a bid on a donor car. Identical to mine, only it runs and is an auto
 
Not true depends on valve positions...you didnt post compresion values for each cylinder on here did you get them from garage?...
No, apparently they did a "relative compression test" (iirc)
Valve positions cant have changed, its a pushrod V8 with a cam chain, and the engine hasnt eaten a load of gravel or anything
 
No, apparently they did a "relative compression test" (iirc)
Valve positions cant have changed, its a pushrod V8 with a cam chain, and the engine hasnt eaten a load of gravel or anything
I am well aware of the workings of a V8 as have owned and rebuilt a RRC and have done the same to my 101 which I still own have also worked on a few P38's down at the garage sorting electrics and non-starting problems...easystart will not wash bores anymore than neat petrol spraying into cylendars while constant cranking...easystart will not melt pistons if it dosent combust in the first place...take plugs out spray easystart in and crank if it doesnt fire it's got nothing to do with compression unless the valves are stuck half open to check that remove rockers and cranck engine...engines dont suddenly not start due to losing compression overnight...I get the impression the garages you are using are fobbing you off with excuses...we have a couple of cars in the yard that the owners want to source their own bits for us to fit because they dont have the tools to do the job bloody joke one turned up with a part covered in grease and dirt told to bring it back clean and with a new gasket not seen him for a while...lol...
 
easystart will not wash bores anymore than neat petrol spraying into cylendars while constant cranking...
Yeah, and its had its fair share of that too.
Ive put a bid on a donor, a running V8 auto which hasnt seen the road for a few years. Bid £500, reserve is £1100, will see how much it goes for (probably not worth £1100)
 
Just had my quote from the specialist to change the engine (not including a clutch, or any further work) just over £1100 inc vat. Obviously its not worth doing that.
So if I win the other one, Ill get them moved to mine and try swapping it myself. Failing that, Ive just got to cut my losses and sell it.
 
Just had my quote from the specialist to change the engine (not including a clutch, or any further work) just over £1100 inc vat. Obviously its not worth doing that.
So if I win the other one, Ill get them moved to mine and try swapping it myself. Failing that, Ive just got to cut my losses and sell it.

All I will say is £1100 buys a lot of tools :). Invest in an engine hoist.
As a straight(ish) swap shouldn't be to bad, do plenty of prep with *release agent* of your choice, dosing many days/times ahead;).

Take plenty of pics, not for us, for you as its surprising how quick you can forget how things go back together;).
Although we would like to see them too:).

J

Edit : And a torque wrench and gaskets before the fact ;).
 
Last edited:
Already have a torque wrench, spanners and socket set. Might get help from a mate with an impact gun.
Are auto and manual ECUs the same? The donor is a T-reg and the manual is an N-reg.
Which gaskets will I need? Im not bothering to change the waterpump etc because Im either selling it or rebuilding my original engine to re-fit.
Thanks
 
Are auto and manual ECUs the same?
No. Keep all your electrics,(I wont say this but this is where you plug it all back in and find out its and ECU issueo_O)Ideally you should change the adaptive settings, if you don't it will run a bit off till it learns again. Diagnostics needed for that.

Which gaskets will I need?

Where do you intend to disconnect it? Exhaust manifold or downpipe? AC,PAS, O rings. New hose kit with clamps. Fluids.
A swear jar and a slab of beer/bucket of tea ;). If you are going in that far a new clutch:)

The other benefit is if you get your donor there are lots of sellable bits if you can be bothered;).

J
 

Similar threads