Basic mechanical advice to get a SIII back up and running

Hi All,

I'm based in Egypt and considering buying a series 3 from a friend and would very much appreciate some tips on getting it up and running.

The 109 was driving fine but has been on blocks for a couple of years in sunny and dusty Cairo. Could anyone suggest what I should do to..

A. get it up and running so I can drive it the 15 miles across Cairo.
B. What the priorities are then in terms of key checks/ work to get her up and running on a more permanent basis.

Many thanks for your advice.

Ollie

petrol or diesel?

Before you get it started, make sure it will stop(brakes). Check chassis/bulkhead bodywork for corrosion. Check fluids in engine. Good luck.

it's a petrol, thanks

Many thanks, I'll give it a good look over. Any idea what needs to be done engine wise before firing up?

id think about draining the tank if its been a couple years in a hot/cold alternating enviroment sat - fuel will be full o water from condensation.

check oil levels , water levels , brake and steering fluid levels !

handbrakes probably bound on if its been left on all that time ..... take a hammer !

check and oils ,change plugs ,leads .coil,cap and arm ,points etc,give carb a quick clean ,use fresh petrol ,get it running and then start servicing it properly ,brakes ,wheel brgs ,props etc ,give attention to cooling system ,hoses ,waterpump,rad,looks like it be a good vehicle with care and attention,if brake cylinders leak ,clamp flexi pipe on that wheel so you dont drain entire system while you fix it

looks like you got all the advise you need except for when its up and running the 15 mile trip accross ciaro you will need to attach a bigger horn, bumpers to the sides and a crash helmet, and those lights that are along the side of the road which are red amber green are not xmas decorations - although i am sure its changed a lot since i was last there back in the 80's - good luck

Thanks so much for the feedback and list of to dos... exactly what I was after.

I plan to delegate as much as possible to a local mechanic, if and when I can find one. However I really need to try and get some mechanical knowledge together. Is it just a case of buying a haynes manual and scanning old copies of LRW. Any other suggestions for a complete novice?

First accessory will be an outrageously loud fog horn.

ollie

haynes manual and the search function here are your friends !

pdf Land Rover Manuals | Landroverweb.com Way better than Haynes and free.
Just to get it a short distance I'd change the petrol, check engine, g'box, xfer box and diff oil levels, coolant level and then see if the brakes work. Check the tyre pressures. Get the engine running with a jump start (or use the handle) and check for fuel/coolant leaks. If it will drive and stop then off you go, but take it steady.
Or get someone to give you a tow.

Thanks so much for this. Really useful advice and the manuals are great, really logically set out. I'll let you know how it goes/ if it goes...

cheers,

Ollie

If it was running well when it was laid up then I think you will be lucky. Just change the fuel and get it running. I used to leave mine outside in the UK for months on end. I live in Munich and used to use the Landy when I was back in the UK. Winter/ summer it would sit there at the side of the road. Then I would get back, jump in it, use it for a weekend and then leave it again for months. Never any probs.
The Petrol engines are also well tough, if its free it should run. If not then check for fuel and then a spark. work your way from their. The engine I now have in it sat in a scapper on a farm for 20 years before I bought it. Just a new battery and some petrol saw it fire up almost straight away. Keep an eye on the water pump though. They don't like long periods of not moving.

Good to hear, very interesting.

Curious to know if there's a list of key spare parts people carry with them in the back of their series 3s....

Ollie W said:

Good to hear, very interesting.

Curious to know if there's a list of key spare parts people carry with them in the back of their series 3s....

Click to expand...

Yes, A mobile phone with the number of a mate with another Landy and tow rope!

crashbox said:

yes, a mobile phone with the number of a mate with another landy and tow rope!:d

Click to expand...

lol