My last seven days:
[1] Alternator dies - fixed and refitted.
:-)
[2] Hose from the plenum to the inlet manifold bursts an A21 homebound.
Usual flashing 'no coolant' light. Stop. Gingerly remove header
cap and replace the foam which greets me with 1 gal coolant. Drive home
Replace hose and fill with coolant. Run at idle until at operating temp.
Re-check coolant the following morning (Saturday) minor top-up. Run
vehicle at idle for an hour or so. Allow to cool and re-check. All OK.
:-[
[3] Venture forth for slap up curry taking RR as a means of testing it.
Normal bit of road with stops and starts. After about 4 or 5 miles
I am braking for a roundabout, see that it is clear and apply foot to
throttle. Engine dies. Hmm. Imeidiate attempt to re-start produces
nothing but the sound of a healthy starter motor. All appears to be
intact under the bonnet. Wait about 10 mins and try again. No joy.
Another 10. Ditto. Another 10 and it starts. But it's 'idling' at
around 2750/3000 rpm. Engage 'D' and revs drop. Press throttle and
engine dies. Ring Direct Line and and wait approx 35 mins. As truck
is approaching, I try to start it. Engine fires. I try pulling against
the transmission brake to see if it will stall. No problem. Breakdown
man follows me part way home. At one point when pulling away it feels
as if it is going to die again.
:-(
Thoughts would be welcome.
BTW it's an RRC 1990 EFi 3.9 auto
TIA Richard
Richard - 03 Feb 2008 11:06 GMT
PS the only good thing is finding that Smiles will replace the cracked
windscreen in the Astra for £75 +VAT compared with £335 +VAT from
Autoglass - Smiles buy their screens from the same supplier as Autoglass
- go figure.
Richard
AJH - 03 Feb 2008 12:36 GMT
>BTW it's an RRC 1990 EFi 3.9 auto
Isn't this the one with the iffy fuel pump pressure problem? I've only
ever needed to recover an 88 3.9 that had this and I never did find
out the fix.
AJH
Richard - 03 Feb 2008 12:54 GMT
>> BTW it's an RRC 1990 EFi 3.9 auto
>
[quoted text clipped - 3 lines]
>
> AJH
I know not!
My 1989 RRC 3.5 EFi died once due to an iffy fuel pump. Diagnosed by
whacking the underside of the fuel tank, which enabled the pump to
restart. I did thump the 3.9 last night but it didn't restart
instantly - which the 3.5 did - so I don't know if it is the fuel pump.
I'm getting really fed up with RRs.
Any view on the Subaru Forester?
There may be two RRCs up for grabs here in the not too distant future.
Richard
AJH - 03 Feb 2008 13:16 GMT
>Any view on the Subaru Forester?
My mate's had one for years, he's hated LRs since he bought a V8 109
in 1980, it's not a cheap motor to run. My 1800 turbo was also
expensive and a blown head gasket proved terminal.
AJH
Richard - 03 Feb 2008 13:33 GMT
>> Any view on the Subaru Forester?
>
[quoted text clipped - 3 lines]
>
> AJH
Thanks AJH
I assume you mean expensive in terms servicing?
Difficult one to quantify when compared with the Forth Rail Bridge style
of maintenance which seems to apply to RR. Having said that, I'm not
really comparing like-with-like as both my RR are over 17 years old and
one cannot expect anything that old, and built in the late 80's, to be
running without needing constant fettling - or can one?
I'd love to keep the RR, but the attraction of a motor which does
exactly what it says on the tin is soooo atractive. A much newer RR
perhaps, but far too expensive (both purchase and running) and not my style.
I was musing over Isuzu Troopers or the Land Cruiser Amazon (vetoed by
SWMBO on size grounds and, in any case, won't fit in my local tip) but
wonder if I really need something that size any more. What I want is a
4x4 that is the size of a Classic (including in terms of height) but
withough the reliability problems.
<sigh>
Richard
andrew heggie - 03 Feb 2008 14:01 GMT
> I assume you mean expensive in terms servicing?
Yes and minor parts, I think a replacement screen was over GBP700!
AJH
TonyB - 03 Feb 2008 14:07 GMT
What I want is a
> 4x4 that is the size of a Classic (including in terms of height) but
> withough the reliability problems.
A bit smaller but a Freelander?
TonyB
Richard - 03 Feb 2008 15:38 GMT
> What I want is a
>> 4x4 that is the size of a Classic (including in terms of height) but
[quoted text clipped - 3 lines]
>
> TonyB
I'm afraid that I'd need a great deal of convincing before I bought a
Freelander. Don't they have a dreadful reputation for poor reliability
- judging from the contributions to this NG? I work for Land Registry
and the surveyors there had a diesel Freelander - what a noisy gutless
horror! It's been replaced by an X-Trail which seems the height of
sophistication by comparison and is far nicer to drive than the Modeo
diesel saloon that we sometimes use.
Richard
Austin Shackles - 04 Feb 2008 18:09 GMT
>>> BTW it's an RRC 1990 EFi 3.9 auto
>>
[quoted text clipped - 12 lines]
>
>I'm getting really fed up with RRs.
I had a fuel pump on one of the discos that ran slow and didn't produce full
pressure, resulting in it starting and idling fine but dying when you booted
it.

Signature
Austin Shackles. www.ddol-las.net my opinions are just that
Travel The Galaxy! Meet Fascinating Life Forms...
------------------------------------------------\
>> http://www.schlockmercenary.com/ << \ ...and Kill them.
a webcartoon by Howard Tayler; I like it, maybe you will too!
Derek - 03 Feb 2008 15:38 GMT
> My last seven days:
>
[quoted text clipped - 33 lines]
>
> TIA Richard
Sounds exactly the problems I had with Peggy ( RRC Vogue SE 3.5 -EFi) I
cured it in
the end by replacing the spades to the coil, the sensors and plugs then
thoroughly
cleaning the big one that connects to the ignition pack. Problem went away
and never came back ( Lucas dealer supplied the plugs they are pretty
cheap.
pity they put sh*t ones on at Lode Lane) .If you get the problem again get
an
assisitant to turn the starter while you wiggle the leads it got me home a
few times.
Derek
Kato 200TDi Disco
Miles 300TDi Disco ( project)
Miles lives! running sweetly with just one maladjusted tappet the b*st*rd
Richard - 03 Feb 2008 16:28 GMT
> Sounds exactly the problems I had with Peggy ( RRC Vogue SE 3.5 -EFi) I
> cured it in
[quoted text clipped - 12 lines]
> Miles 300TDi Disco ( project)
> Miles lives! running sweetly with just one maladjusted tappet the b*st*rd
Thanks Derek
How about this for a explanation:
I noticed last night without giving it any significance that when I was
prodding around the replaced plenum-to-inlet manifold pipe to show the
recovery man what I had done, that the idle speed changed (briefly).
I've been fiddling some more today and found that I could reproduce the
revs drop and then pickup and, best of all, actually make it stall by
flicking the throttle from the idle stop to just off idle. If I
disconnect the Throttle Position Sensor I cannot make the engine stall
using the same process.
Engine (seems) to run happily without the TPS connected.
AIUI the TPS informs the ECU of fast movement of the throttle which
results in more fuel being supplied to provide greater acceleration.
What do you think?
Richard
Derek - 03 Feb 2008 17:08 GMT
>> Sounds exactly the problems I had with Peggy ( RRC Vogue SE 3.5 -EFi) I
>> cured it in
[quoted text clipped - 36 lines]
>
> Richard
It sounds possible tho' I am not sure if that describes the operation of the
TPS. I would expect that the increase in fuel supplied is related to the
values supplied by the TPS and the airflow meter, an inbalance when the TPS
value is high and the AFM lags behind, the ecu gives an increase in fuel?
depends I suppose on how the ECU is mapped. Even so if the signal ain't
getting thro then no extra fuel or maybe too much .Its a very basic device a
carbon track potentiometer worth checking with the multimeter and maybe a
squirt with switch cleaner? god knows how they justify £37 for a new one
Derek
Richard - 03 Feb 2008 19:15 GMT
> It sounds possible tho' I am not sure if that describes the operation of the
> TPS. I would expect that the increase in fuel supplied is related to the
[quoted text clipped - 6 lines]
>
> Derek
Hi Derek
My understanding of it's function is only based on reading the manual -
whether I actually understand what is written there is open to question!
A squirt of switch cleaner is worth a try. Do I need to remove the
TPS to do this successfully? I gather that I need only monitor the
voltage, when refitting it, with a closed throttle and twist the TPS
body until I get the mV as specified in the manual? Just like my bike!
I'm surprised that disconnecting it seems to have no effect on the
engine - signs of imminent doom???
Richard
Derek - 03 Feb 2008 20:56 GMT
>> It sounds possible tho' I am not sure if that describes the operation of
>> the TPS. I would expect that the increase in fuel supplied is related to
[quoted text clipped - 21 lines]
>
> Richard
More or less what I did you don't get a lot of movement in any case I just
tweaked mine to give a good idle I reckon the ECU confronted by lack of
input will default to a failsafe setting unlike the p38 it resets itself
when you restart which is just as well and saves on the£££ trip to the
dealers ( I am still waiting for the Italian job to finish building their
P38 software package before I consider one ) IIRC you will need to take the
TPS off as the access to the gubbins ( technical term :-) ) is on the back
side dead handy stuff switch cleaner works well on the leccy seat switches
as well. You can check the range on the temp senders as well saves
replaceing them unecessarily. Pity I was forced to sell the RRC when I had
it running so sweetly.
Derek
Richard - 04 Feb 2008 21:47 GMT
>> Richard
>
[quoted text clipped - 11 lines]
>
> Derek
Right, TPS gives 250mV between Green and Red with ignition on and is not
blessed with slots so I can't alter that figure.
From further fiddling I suspect that it is running (very?) rich from
the word go and that including the TPS in the system merely makes things
worse (richer). Viz: with TPS connected I am able to stall the engine
with gentle throttle blips. Pulling a spark plug after the stalling
reveals a very sooty object indeed. With the TPS out of circuit, the
blipping does not cause a stall. However, after a few minutes at idle
(700-ish rpm) the revs gradually rise to 1500+ with a suggestion that
they will continue to rise. Engaging D drops the revs back to about 700.
Thoughts please!
TIA
Richard
BTW Hunt Grange suggested that I might like to pay £107+VAT for a TPS!
Nige - 05 Feb 2008 08:26 GMT
>>> Richard
>>
[quoted text clipped - 31 lines]
> BTW Hunt Grange suggested that I might like to pay £107+VAT for a
> TPS!
Before you do anything else, get the electrical troubleshooting manual. It's
not hard to prove everything under the bonnet is working if you can use a
multimeter, which you can.
After that you should be able to isolate whats causing it, or clear up the
electronics.

Signature
Nige, talking utter shite since 1967.
Focus ST3
Range Rover 4.6 HSE
Daytona SE
NIGE#1
Richard - 05 Feb 2008 16:41 GMT
> Before you do anything else, get the electrical troubleshooting manual. It's
> not hard to prove everything under the bonnet is working if you can use a
> multimeter, which you can.
>
> After that you should be able to isolate whats causing it, or clear up the
> electronics.
You write much sense Nige.
Is the electrical trouble shooting manual which appears on the Range
Rover Classic 1986-1994 Original Publications CD-ROM the one to which
you refer?
TIA
Richard
EMB - 05 Feb 2008 20:22 GMT
> You write much sense Nige.
Check the vacuum hose to the fuel pressure regulator - if it's
leaking/detached it'll run rich at low throttle openings. If it seems
ok then check the fuel pressure, if it's higher than spec the regulator
may need replacing (ETC8494 IIRC).
Richard - 05 Feb 2008 22:37 GMT
>> You write much sense Nige.
>
> Check the vacuum hose to the fuel pressure regulator - if it's
> leaking/detached it'll run rich at low throttle openings. If it seems
> ok then check the fuel pressure, if it's higher than spec the regulator
> may need replacing (ETC8494 IIRC).
Ta.
Richard