Problematic RRC update/ latest

deano75 · Sep 10, 2015

The Rangie Classic 3.5 Efi with no power was with a specialist for about 6 weeks who was pottering around with it on and off.. Latest = he said engine is minted , fuel system set up the best he can and ignition system spot on. The car drove a hell of a lot better and sounded sweet as a nut but still 0-60 takes 20 seconds+, better than the 26 seconds that it was doing before he looked at it,, so the engine is mint and doesn't look like that is where the problem lies.
On to the gearbox and after much trolling over tinternet I found some info on STALL SPEED TEST to check the torque converter, so I started the car , handbrake off , foot on brake hard,
put it into drive and revved up to the 2000 rpm for 1-2 seconds then backed off, I tried this 4/5 times and the car had no intention of stalling. Can any one advise please,,,does this mean my torque converter is worn or not working and does it look likely that this is my problem with no power/speed.
The autobox seems fine and changes gears at the right times smoothly and I can hear no dodgy whines , crunching or anything untoward.
Also can anyone tell me if the box has to come out or can it be slid back to allow access, my m8 just done his torque converter in a P38 and the box slid back enough to allow access.
Ta Deano

Pete The Biker · Sep 11, 2015

My understanding is that the engine shouldn't stall - read this - http://auto.howstuffworks.com/under-the-hood/vehicle-maintenance/how-to-test-torque-converter.htm

The speed that the engines settles at when under load like that is the 'stall speed' which needs to be compared with manufacturers spec. It doesn't actually stall the engine.

Has your specialist checked the camshaft? The Rover V8 engine is known to be very tolerant of substantial wear of the camshaft lobes, and still run albeit at reduced power.

Pete

norseman · Sep 11, 2015

As Pete posted. I've never done a stall-test on any of my (four) RRC's but have on auto's owned in the past & although I don't know LR's factory figures I'd say your results were about right. So good news in a way, but still does not help with your problem. As stated in the past I've never floored my own 3.5efi (also auto) from a standing start, out of respect for a 28 year-old vehicle. Classic RR autos do tend to give you the impression that the pick-up seems lethargic in comparison to engine revs. but when using my kick-down I've no reason to doubt LR's figure of around 12 seconds for 0-60.

deano75 · Sep 12, 2015

Thanks for the input guys I really do appreciate it,, its going to an auto box specialist this week.
Pete you mentioned the camshaft lobes,, if they were worn would this not have the engine noisey and knocking,
and running really poorly? The engine sounds mint when driving or revving up. It seems to just lack acceleration..
God knows??? I dont think I will ever get to the bottom of it..
THanks again

tomcat59alan · Sep 12, 2015

deano75 said:
Thanks for the input guys I really do appreciate it,, its going to an auto box specialist this week.
Pete you mentioned the camshaft lobes,, if they were worn would this not have the engine noisey and knocking,
and running really poorly? The engine sounds mint when driving or revving up. It seems to just lack acceleration..
God knows??? I dont think I will ever get to the bottom of it..
THanks again

Not necessarily noisy and knocking, rolling road to measure power output would put your mind at easy. Have you had a compression test done?

norseman · Sep 13, 2015

tomcat59alan said:
Not necessarily noisy and knocking, rolling road to measure power output would put your mind at easy. Have you had a compression test done?

With a BW 'box make sure it's a 'four wheel' rolling road & they know it's an auto before you book - not all 'roads' give accurate read-outs for auto's, so I was told a few years ago AFTER I'd paid 50 quid for the test!

deano75 · Jan 2, 2016

HI guys, after doing not many miles the Rangie is back to misfiring and back firing,
really strong smell of unburnt fuel. Not good at all.
I think I am looking at a new camshaft.
Silly question but is there any way to visually inspect a camshaft without removing it?
Thanks again Deano

tomcat59alan · Jan 2, 2016

deano75 said:
HI guys, after doing not many miles the Rangie is back to misfiring and back firing,
really strong smell of unburnt fuel. Not good at all.
I think I am looking at a new camshaft.
Silly question but is there any way to visually inspect a camshaft without removing it?
Thanks again Deano

Remove the inlet manifold.

deano75 · Jan 2, 2016

THanks Tom

tomcat59alan · Jan 3, 2016

deano75 said:
THanks Alan

Edited for accuracy.

tomcat59alan · Jan 3, 2016

Been thiinking about this, if you remove the rocker covers and measure the lift of each valve, as long as you get the standard lift from someone (ukadamwest does a lot with RRC's so he may know or Wammers the font of all knowledge) then that will tell you if the cam is fecked.

wammers · Jan 3, 2016

tomcat59alan said:
Been thiinking about this, if you remove the rocker covers and measure the lift of each valve, as long as you get the standard lift from someone (ukadamwest does a lot with RRC's so he may know or Wammers the font of all knowledge) then that will tell you if the cam is fecked.

Just needs to remove rocker covers and turn engine by hand, all valves should have same lift. Any that don't means cam is knackered. Range rover V8s are famous for developing round cam lobes.

deano75 · Jan 4, 2016

THanks guys , I will let my mate mechanic read these posts. Much appreciated

deano75 · Jun 15, 2016

HI guys , an update on where I am now with this lack of power.
I changed 2 coolant sensors and it made very little difference, though now I feel the car wont break down on me,
she still runs poorly but not as bad as before.
I have started , no my mate has started fitting overhauled cylinder heads I bought from ebay.
I have had them skimmed and seated and pressure tested. I can confirm the camshaft is not worn at all.
PS we snapped a cylinder head bolt ahh night mare, luckily got it out with hammer and punch.
The engine wont be rebuilt till Monday. But what I did notice as I was scanning over the old heads is one of the springs
was broken near the top. Could this be the cause of my lack of power????? Advice please anyone.
Thanks Deano
PS forgot to mention when we were taking the engine apart the inlet manifold bolts were not tight at all. no effort required to loosen them.

tomcat59alan · Jun 16, 2016

Well a broken spring won't help and you would have probably been drawing air in through the loose manifold and running weak.Will probably be running rich when it's back together.Good luck with the rebuild.

Gmacz · Jun 16, 2016

Did you ever do a compression test, this would have been one of the first things to do, no mention of it in your description.

Grrrrrr · Jun 17, 2016

Most bolts on the outside of engines are not that tight unless corroded. Always use a torque wrench.

deano75 · Jun 22, 2016

Well guys thats the Rangie rebuilt and it seems the broken spring was the culprit for lack of power and running rich.
She is driving a whole lot better now, not a flying machine but a nice drive.
A huge thanks to every one who tried to help me out with your invaluable advice.
Heads overhauled , skimmed , seated and fitted for £620 total.
I think I did ok.

Problematic RRC update/ latest

deano75

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Pete The Biker

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norseman

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tomcat59alan

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Grrrrrr

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