Hello chaps, never posted in this section before (always had doozils) but I'm looking at buying a S3/Range Rover hybrid with a 3.5 V8 twin zenith carbs, automatic, high flow exhaust etc.

When I went to see it, the guy had been driving around in it, so the engine was hot. It started fine, roared into life (bloody loud!). Under the bonnet looks very clean, but I noticed a short breather pipe on the right hand side of the engine not connected to anything, puffing out quite a lot of steamy looking smoke. It was the same when I took the oil cap off, quite steamy/smokey. I'm wondering if this is normal?

Also, the 4 speed Auto gearbox seems to want to hold onto the gears for a very long time when driving, even when you're not rushing it - just driving it normally it holds onto first second and third for longer than I would want when I am driving normally. Obviously, it sounds great - but it was also farting/backfiring a bit when slowing down from speed, is this normal as well?
I asked the seller what it starts up like from cold, and he said it starts and ran on 4-5 cylinders when cold but once warmed up all start firing? Is this normal?

Any advice would be great as I am very interested in the vehicle, and need to make a decision fairly quickly!

Cheers

No to it all .

Hmm, good job I didn't buy it then! I seem to have some memory of thinking that an engine that does all that puffing from the rocker case is breathing heavily - that usually means it's got low compression doesn't it?

I nearly got carried away and bought it... the V8 just sounded so beastly and it went quite well too.

The 3.5 Carb engine is not man enough for the ZF gearbox.

You need at least the 3.5 EFI (higher compression) to work it.

I know because I have one and the fear changes are poor.

Yeah. Even pootling along at low speed it was revving hard. It sounded like it was DRINKING fuel as well.

robrennie said:

The 3.5 Carb engine is not man enough for the ZF gearbox.

You need at least the 3.5 EFI (higher compression) to work it.

I know because I have one and the fear changes are poor.

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Mmmmh!, that is odd. Mine's just fine with the changes.

Medusa said:

Mmmmh!, that is odd. Mine's just fine with the changes.

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Sounds good too!

Hi Medusa,
Most interested that your wagon changes OK.

I have a factory fit 90 V8 which I'm told is low compression. The engine they built for the Disco / Rangie, I'm told is high compression and more HP.

My gear changes are late, sometimes clunk a bit and at the top end, if I try to accelerate it just changes down and revs like hell.

Whats your engine - have you done anything to it - what gearbox?

Cheers