landie man

New Member
Ok, I'll try and keep this as short as possible, but it needs alot of explaing to know what I'm talking about. I've not long bought a nice 87 90 that has had via an adapter plate to my 5 speed defender gearbox a v8 (3'5) from a rover sd1. Now as soon as I got the vehicle I got it fully serviced by a garage, and then got a towing kit fitted by another garage, and both said how well it is running.

Apparently it was rebuilt in 97, and has only done 20,000 miles since. It has done a few trips and it's been fine since I've had it, I put a new fuel tank in it as the old one and the filler were leaking.

Anyway today I was going out, I got about 600 yards from the house and it just stopped. to cut a long story short I called out the RAC, and basically he said someone has fitted an old fashioned electronic ignition system in it, the modual thing for it is screwed to the inner wing. He THINKS it may be that, but he said they dont carry testing equipment now to test old vehicles. He also thought I may of run out of petrol, although my gauge was reading half full.

So to make sure he towed me to a garage, and I put in about £30 quid of petrol in it. As soon as I did that the petrol warning light came on, and the gauge went the opposite way to reading near empty! neither of us could understand it.

also the petrol pump seems to be running all the time which isn't right, but I think this only happend since I reconnected a black wire to a push button on the dash. Now I don't know whether thats a standard switch for something or not on an 87 defender, (it's a black push button switch with a silver ring around it to the right of the wiper/washer switch). it was running ok before when the wire wasnt connected by the way, I thought it was for my rear wiper which isn't working. (I've never had a landy before, so I'm not familiar with the switches etc) I will disconnect it again tomorrow to see if my petrol pump stops running all the time again, as god knows what someone has done!

Also the RAC guy said don't expect to get more than 4mpg from my V8 especially if i'm towing a caravan which I do :eek: is this right for a start? But first I want to find out why my landy has stopped running. it will start briefly for a short while, then stop. He said it stops very suddenly and thinks it's electrical. He says there is fuel getting through. Has anyone got any idea what this can be? as up to now it's been running fine, and it's just had a full service with plugs/HT leads/dizzy cap etc replaced.

Also what I want to know is he recommeded I get a 200tdi fitted to it, he said it would be better for towing with the big payload I have to carry with a disabled wife and a big caravan. It will also be much more economical.

Which brings me to my next option. I have a low mileage rebuilt v8, with some sort of electrical prob that I will have to sort out. What I want to know is if I was to sell my engine with it's adapter plate to a 5 speed defender box, what would I get for it? or buy a good secondhand 200tdi engine, what would I expect to pay for a decent one and have it fitted??

If you know where the best place to go for a 200TDI, id be grateful for the info. Many thanks in advance. I dont want to sell my landy, as I'm a bodywork man, and I've just restored it all properly and resprayed it, and she looks like brand new. the chassis has all had 4 coats of sprayed on shaltz underseal, and repairs done to a high standard, and the bulkhead was like new apart from the usal place on the top corners under the windscreen which I welded in new ones.

There is not one speck of rust on this vehicle now, and I've also re-done all the running gear, and steering. so I dont want to part with my landy with all the work I've done which is a huge amount, and much money spent already on parts, everything has plactically been replaced. but I need to sort out something with this engine. Whichever way that may be. Please help!:(
 
sounds like you've maybe bodged somthing when replacing the tank
Like what? I'm sure I put everything back as it came off the old one. but even if I had that might explain why the gauge isn't working properly, but not when the engine has started cutting out. Also just after I did it all I gave him a road test and drove about 30 miles (after putting £25 worth of fuel in) even towing my caravan for some of it, and no lights came on then, and he ran fine?? :confused: even the RAC guy was stummped. It's an eye opener now that they dont seen to have a clue about old cars, and dont have the equipment to sort them out on the road anymore.

Only thing I can think of regarding the gauge, is there a right and wrong way to bolting it back on? what I mean is does it matter what way around the float goes or something?
 
If nobody has any ideas about my existing engine, perhaps you might know how much it would be to buy a low mileish or good 200tdi and have it fitted by a garage. Apparently it should bolt straight in to my landy is this right? it's an 87 defender (E reg) and has a 5 speed defender gear box.
 
you need to find soneone local who has good rep, it easily could be amplifier for coil,check you have 12v on + coil wire and remove plug to see if good spark ,if you also try ih coil ht lead you can rule in/out cap and arm ,i would think putting sender unit right way round is important as they can catch on parts of tank giving false reading ,has it actually got fuel in 200tdi from £200 + fitting anywhere from £500 to £1500 depending on what other parts you buy and vehicle condition ,
 
Liverage 4x4, my neighbour highly recommends them. They did a really tidy job on her 110.

Is it a 3.5 efi or carb?

I've just finished rebuilding my efi system (flapper type ) and then the injectors went.

I had to replace the fuel pump after it had ran for a couple of miles without fuel as it burt out. Made a really bad noise and wasn't supplying enough pressure to run.
 
you need to find soneone local who has good rep, it easily could be amplifier for coil,check you have 12v on + coil wire and remove plug to see if good spark ,if you also try ih coil ht lead you can rule in/out cap and arm ,i would think putting sender unit right way round is important as they can catch on parts of tank giving false reading ,has it actually got fuel in 200tdi from £200 + fitting anywhere from £500 to £1500 depending on what other parts you buy and vehicle condition ,

RAC guy checked coil and cap all ok. I will take out sender and see if it's right way around. And yes, he thought it may of been out of fuel, so he towed me to garage, I put £30 in, and still it wouldn't start. Thanks for the info. Think I may go the 200tdi route anyway, it'll be far cheaper, and the RAC guy recons I would get the same towing power as my petrol carbed v8? It would make sense now with the price of petrol the way it is.
 
Liverage 4x4, my neighbour highly recommends them. They did a really tidy job on her 110.

Is it a 3.5 efi or carb?

I've just finished rebuilding my efi system (flapper type ) and then the injectors went.

I had to replace the fuel pump after it had ran for a couple of miles without fuel as it burt out. Made a really bad noise and wasn't supplying enough pressure to run.
it's a 3.5 twin carb. Any idea how much liverage charged her? I have heard they are good.
 
OK, Apparently I have an old fashioned electronic ignition on it, the modual thing for it is screwed to the inner wing, with the wires going to the dizzy. if this electronic ignition is faulty, could THAT be the problem? or wouldn't It work at all if it was faulty?

I disconnected that black wire to that push button switch I mentioned earlier on my dash as it was disconnected from it when I bought it. And now it starts, and I ran it for a short while. But then I did that the other day, I took it down town and it ran perfectly then it just stopped, so I'm not convinced it is just a coincidence. It runs for a short while then cuts out. It could be that I've cured it by disconnecting that black wire going to that push button switch on the dash that I don't really know what it's for, but I'm not convinced.

Another suggestion was while I was waiting for the RAC guy, someone with a landy stopped and tried to help, and he said he had a landy with a V8 (with a rover sd1 engine in like mine) and he said he had problems with the petrol in the carbs vapourising when the engine got hot, he said they all do it. If this was the case then why doesn't it do it when it was in the sd1? also does anyone else on here have an sd1 V8 and have that problem? he said he even put a fan on the top of the bonnet to cool it down, but that didn't work, so he got rid of it.

Sorry for all the questions, I'm just trying to eliminate the possible problems before I take it on the road again. I don't want to break down again and wait hours again for the RAC! Thanks in advance for any help.
 
i am pretty sure my pump runs all the time on my v8 72 rrc, the facet type that ticks, is it the same as yours?

the unused fuel just goes back to the tank via the return. mind you I have never left the igntion on for ages without starting it to see if it goes off as I have never needed to.

so you definatly have a good spark?

how old is the fuel pump , maybe it just cant provide enough fuel if its 40 years old and rusty.

I would alway stick with a v8
 
RAC guy sounds like a bit of a cock!!! A decent V8 running on carbs should return 14mpg on average not 4mpg but a 200tdi will give mid 20s all day long. Your car, your choice. For me its a V8 every time but mine isn't a daily driver and runs on LPG.

Just out of interest, since you disconnected the random wire is the fuel level reading back to normal?

For what its worth, the running fine then sudden stop is a classic failing amplifier symptom. I don't think they are particularly expensive to replace and worth having a spare anyway.
 
RAC guy sounds like a bit of a cock!!! A decent V8 running on carbs should return 14mpg on average not 4mpg but a 200tdi will give mid 20s all day long. Your car, your choice. For me its a V8 every time but mine isn't a daily driver and runs on LPG.

Can't argue with that!

Landie Man you might want to do is a search - I know I've posted ignition checks before, all you need is a reasonable digital volt meter. Assuming this is an ignition problem.

The other thing, if it is the ignition amp, drive it until it dies, then pop the king lead off the dizzy cap, then get somebody to crank the engine while you check for a spark from the king lead. If no spark either the coil is dead or the ignition amplifier or pick up coil isn't doing its' thing. At least it will narrow it down a bit.

Hope that points you in the right direction.
 
RAC guy sounds like a bit of a cock!!! A decent V8 running on carbs should return 14mpg on average not 4mpg but a 200tdi will give mid 20s all day long. Your car, your choice. For me its a V8 every time but mine isn't a daily driver and runs on LPG.

Just out of interest, since you disconnected the random wire is the fuel level reading back to normal?

For what its worth, the running fine then sudden stop is a classic failing amplifier symptom. I don't think they are particularly expensive to replace and worth having a spare anyway.

Think your right about RAC guy, since my last post I have spoken to 'liverage' and they said the same as you MPG wise. I took out the fuel gauge again to see if it was catching on anything, and it had some silicone sealer hanging off of it. I went a bit overkill when putting the gauge back on and put some on the rubber, but I guess all it's done with the fuel is melt off and slop onto the gauge. I took sealer off, and now it appears to be working, the warning light has gone out, and the gauge is reading approx half full which is prob right as I just put £30 odd of petrol in it.

My landy isn't my daily driver, so I was considering compromising and putting in a LPG system too. I was quoted £1,200 as opposed to 'liverage' quoting me £2,000 plus vat for taking out my V8, and installing a 200tdi with a 12 month warrenty. then if I want 50 or so more horses, a booster thing for another £700! I do need a torquey engine as I sometimes pull a 1400kg caravan, a disability scooter, camping equipment, and a heavy wife! lol. Hence the V8 in the first place.Hmmm still haven't made my mind up, but seeing as my v8 is a good one I may well go the LPG route.

Only other prob is my landy is a SWB, and don't have much room at the back, and with the wifes electric scooter so she can get around if we go to swapmeets etc. (She does enjoy those almost as much as me. I'm pretty lucky with her, she has an intrest in landys too, and doesnt mind how much I spend!) Anyway my point is if I have an LPG tank installed against the rear bulkhead behind the seats, I'll have to make sure I have enough space to put her sccoter in, as I was told there is not enough room to put it under the chassis on a SWB?

Also even if there was, I'm a bit worried about damaging it when I go off roading. Can I ask what is the amplifier? and where is it located? I may replace it anyway to be sure, and keep the old one as a spare like you said. I'm very green still when it comes to landy mechanics, but I'm learning all the time thanks to you guys! Many thanks for all your help by the way. :)
 
i am pretty sure my pump runs all the time on my v8 72 rrc, the facet type that ticks, is it the same as yours?

the unused fuel just goes back to the tank via the return. mind you I have never left the igntion on for ages without starting it to see if it goes off as I have never needed to.

so you definatly have a good spark?

how old is the fuel pump , maybe it just cant provide enough fuel if its 40 years old and rusty.

I would alway stick with a v8
To be honest I'm not sure. possibly the original pump since 87. I do have a ticking noise when ignition is off, but thought it was the clock lol, Then I'm partially deaf, so can't really say for sure. I'm not sure what type of pump it is. I'm new to landy ownership, but learning all the time! Think I'll get one off craddocks and replace it anyway to be sure if not too expensive.

They should know what one I need by age of my landy. only thing is it was originally an N/A engine in it, and not a V8. Not sure if that will make a difference to what pump I need? and will it still be the same pump if I do convert to a 200tdi? Need to know just incase.

And yes, apparently I've got a good spark.
 
RAC guy sounds like a bit of a cock!!! A decent V8 running on carbs should return 14mpg on average not 4mpg but a 200tdi will give mid 20s all day long. Your car, your choice. For me its a V8 every time but mine isn't a daily driver and runs on LPG.

Just out of interest, since you disconnected the random wire is the fuel level reading back to normal?

For what its worth, the running fine then sudden stop is a classic failing amplifier symptom. I don't think they are particularly expensive to replace and worth having a spare anyway.
Ok since my post just now, I've read whats been written, and assume the amplifier is the alloy box thing that is bolted to my inner wing right? If so, where can I buy a new one. I've decided i'm going to replace it anyway, as I need a reliable vehicle when carrying a disabled wife sometimes.
 
To be honest I'm not sure. possibly the original pump since 87. I do have a ticking noise when ignition is off, but thought it was the clock lol, Then I'm partially deaf, so can't really say for sure. I'm not sure what type of pump it is. I'm new to landy ownership, but learning all the time! Think I'll get one off craddocks and replace it anyway to be sure if not too expensive.

They should know what one I need by age of my landy. only thing is it was originally an N/A engine in it, and not a V8. Not sure if that will make a difference to what pump I need? and will it still be the same pump if I do convert to a 200tdi? Need to know just incase.

And yes, apparently I've got a good spark.

not sure what pump the old 4 cylinder would use but the orginal v8 is a fecet type which normally ticks with igntion on. yours could really be any type if its been converted and this may be your problem, maybe!

if you have a good spark but it still wont run it probably isnt the amp as that provides the good spark. my early v8 doesnt even have an amp.

so do you have a decent ammount of fuel getting through? we need to get the basics sorted first.
 

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