help required for 2.5 diesel 1998 non starter

hi all , my brother has left his range rover standing for nearly a year, we put in a new battery, reprogrammed both keys, set windows and sunroof, got rid of the key lock out message. turn ignition on all lights work as they should on the dashboard, no error messages. turn the key to try to start, it just goes clunk, it seems like it is seized, what is the best way to find out?, what size socket is required to put onto a breaker bar, onto the front crankshaft pulley nut.

The engine is unlikely to be seized, though the starter could be, may need a whack as someone operates the key

kermit_rr said:

The engine is unlikely to be seized, though the starter could be, may need a whack as someone operates the key

Click to expand...

If that doesn't work use a bigger nammer.

unfortunately , neither me or my brother can get down to get underneath car to hit the starter.

does anyone on here live close to woolavington, somerset, that could come and have a look?.

Simplest thing first.
Did you fully charge the new battery with a battery charger before fitting it?
Never assume that they arrive fully charged!

battery supplier assured us it was fully charged, it read 12.47 v on the dvm.

al-one-arm said:

unfortunately , neither me or my brother can get down to get underneath car to hit the starter.

Click to expand...

On the diesel you can hit the starter from above. Unless the head is cracked and there is a cylinder full of coolant, the engine is unlikely to be seized as others said.

the last time it was used was last year for its M.O.T. on the way to it it blew the radiator, they showed brother a picture of the crack all along the top of the radiator, they replaced the radiator and other components did the M.O.T. then drove it 10 miles back to his home where it has stayed unused.they did not find out what caused the rad to blow. so we were wondering if it could have a head gasket leak , and after all this time water has got into a cylinder.

al-one-arm said:

the last time it was used was last year for its M.O.T. on the way to it it blew the radiator, they showed brother a picture of the crack all along the top of the radiator, they replaced the radiator and other components did the M.O.T. then drove it 10 miles back to his home where it has stayed unused.they did not find out what caused the rad to blow. so we were wondering if it could have a head gasket leak , and after all this time water has got into a cylinder.

Click to expand...

The split on the top of the RAD is a common problem, the plastic fatigues from heating and cooling along the expansion pipe ridge. Not helped by the different temperature side to side on the RAD. It is NOT an indication of any other problem. I have had that RAD failure on both my P38's and the engines are fine.

so it still could be a coincedence it not turning over after all this time?

al-one-arm said:

so it still could be a coincedence it not turning over after all this time?

Click to expand...

My scrapper has been stood for years and still turns over with a spanner on the crank. Most likely the starter motor or a bad electrical connection

what size spanner on the crank?

al-one-arm said:

what size spanner on the crank?

Click to expand...

An adjustable in my case Do not, whatever you do, turn it backwards

can you get to it with the cowling still on?

Never said if auto or manual ,if manual try rocking in gear

al-one-arm said:

can you get to it with the cowling still on?

Click to expand...

No cowling on the scrapper so not sure from above, might have to be from below. Whack the solenoid on the starter motor first while some one turns the key, it's easy to get to from above.

sorry, manual. but parked on a steep slope, so would not be able to get it back up if it didnt start

al-one-arm said:

sorry, manual. but parked on a steep slope, so would not be able to get it back up if it didnt start

Click to expand...

If you have room to roll a couple of feet with it in say third gear, that would show if the engine is free.

unfortunately the parking space is directly off the side of the road, moving it forward even a foot would have it onto and blocking the road