Starting problem 3.9 v8

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mickle

New Member
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16
First things first, new member here so hello everyone :)

Having owned and tinkered with a few Land Rovers in the past, mainly Series 2A's and 3's, I bought a 1999 Discovery 3.9 V8 last week looking for the comfy off road experience and drove it back 60 miles no real problems, it idled a little lumpy at times but I put that down to being sat for a while. Had to jump start it when I bought but it fired up straight away.

Anyway it's been sat on my drive for a week whilst I was waiting for a weekend to do some welding on the inner wings, went to start it and it didn't want to know. It cranked ok, started only just and ran very rough, coughing on a low idle and any touch of the throttle just killed it. After that it would catch occasionally but mosting it would just turn over and nothing, no starting, no catching, just cranking until battery died.

Since then I've charged the battery, checked the plugs, all were wet with fuel and sparking, I've checked the voltage across the coil - 12v on ignition, 9v cranking. The car wreeks of fuel, I'm guessing it's over fueling but past that I don't know the engine very well at all.

I've also tried looking for the spider after a nights googling, but it's a cylinder type unit, not the box I was expecting to find to look for dry joints so that was a dead end.

Anyone got any ideas of where to look? And please be gentle, I have tried searches, any pointer in the right direction of what to check would be much appreciated.
 
Hi, it would be a good ideea to plug it in a tester. U dont need a special tool for the V8 engine management...any OBD II code reader will work on it...maybe u'll get closer to the answer.
 
think i've found it, the engine coolant temp sensor (ECT)?

has 8TT and 73355 written on it?
 
Ah didn't know it had an OBD II port, another thing to check, I have a reader somewhere, thanks
 
You've got to go back to basics with a non start. think of the fire triangle. You need fuel, ignition and oxygen. If you have those things it WILL fire and at least attempt to run. if it isn't firing then you're missing one of the three. If you have wet plugs (fuel) and a good spark (ignition) then you MUST be missing air ( oxygen)
Check the Catylists. they're fragile and a collapsed cat will block the exhaust which in turn will choke all the cylinders on that bank and rob them of air, hence no start.
 
mickle said:
Ah didn't know it had an OBD II port, another thing to check, I have a reader somewhere, thanks
Click to expand...

It's between the steering wheel and the clutch pedal... and be aware the OBDII reader will cover only the engine management. For SLS, ABS, ACE, Security(BCU) u need a dedicated tool.
 
Last edited:
mickle said:
First things first, new member here so hello everyone :)

Having owned and tinkered with a few Land Rovers in the past, mainly Series 2A's and 3's, I bought a 1999 Discovery 3.9 V8 last week looking for the comfy off road experience and drove it back 60 miles no real problems, it idled a little lumpy at times but I put that down to being sat for a while. Had to jump start it when I bought but it fired up straight away.

Anyway it's been sat on my drive for a week whilst I was waiting for a weekend to do some welding on the inner wings, went to start it and it didn't want to know. It cranked ok, started only just and ran very rough, coughing on a low idle and any touch of the throttle just killed it. After that it would catch occasionally but mosting it would just turn over and nothing, no starting, no catching, just cranking until battery died.

Since then I've charged the battery, checked the plugs, all were wet with fuel and sparking, I've checked the voltage across the coil - 12v on ignition, 9v cranking. The car wreeks of fuel, I'm guessing it's over fueling but past that I don't know the engine very well at all.

I've also tried looking for the spider after a nights googling, but it's a cylinder type unit, not the box I was expecting to find to look for dry joints so that was a dead end.

Anyone got any ideas of where to look? And please be gentle, I have tried searches, any pointer in the right direction of what to check would be much appreciated.
Click to expand...

O.K. sounds like you got fuel and spark. I would suggest charge the battery, make sure you have plenty of elastictrickery.

Try cranking the engine with your foot hard on the accelerator, it could be your engine is just flooded - it happens sometimes. If that doesn't get it going try the following:

If it has one, mark the position of the distributor. Slacken the dizzy clamp, then get an assistant to crank the engine while you advance the timing. If you get it to start allow the engine to idle until warm, then check/set ignition timing (vac advance disconnected and blocked up). If it doesn't have a dizzy I would suggest you'll need to get it plugged in to see if there are any faults logged.

Let us know how you get on.
 
Found my OBD-II reader, plugged it in but it doesn't work anymore, on any car, the joys. Has anyone had any luck with any cheap ebay readers on series 1 v8 disco's?

Well after leaving the ignition on for a couple of minutes whilst messing about with the broken reader, I decided to turn the key (battery been on charge for past 4 days) and it fired up no throttle! It fires up continually now and idles but it's very up and down on the revs, hunting. It sounds like it's missing on one of the cylinders, throws lots of exhaust fumes out the back although I wouldn't say it's blue, probably overfuelling still.

Also when putting it into reverse or drive, it sounds like it wants to stall sometimes.

So cheapest real time code reader anyone? :)
 
mickle said:
Found my OBD-II reader, plugged it in but it doesn't work anymore, on any car, the joys. Has anyone had any luck with any cheap ebay readers on series 1 v8 disco's?

Well after leaving the ignition on for a couple of minutes whilst messing about with the broken reader, I decided to turn the key (battery been on charge for past 4 days) and it fired up no throttle! It fires up continually now and idles but it's very up and down on the revs, hunting. It sounds like it's missing on one of the cylinders, throws lots of exhaust fumes out the back although I wouldn't say it's blue, probably overfuelling still.

Also when putting it into reverse or drive, it sounds like it wants to stall sometimes.

So cheapest real time code reader anyone? :)
Click to expand...

At least it starts!! if it will idle for long enough, get the engine warm then check/set your ignition timing.

If the tick over is erratic then you need to remove and clean the stepper motor, also check inlet tract for air leaks. You could go mad and remove and clean the plenum and ram housing then check/set the throttle butterfly. I would also suggest you check/set the base idle.

If you search the V8 section there are loads of handy hints and tips on how to start a stubborn V8 and how to do basic set up/tuning.

Good luck.
 
sidewaysste said:
Mickle, what happens if you rev the engine? Does it rev freely? does it return to idle? does it cut out?
Click to expand...

Reving the engine is fine, get a nice roar and yes, it revs freely. It returns to idle around 800rpm and then hunts again, it doesn't cut out, but it has sounded like it would have on a few occasions if I didn't blip the throttle.
 
classic kev said:
At least it starts!! if it will idle for long enough, get the engine warm then check/set your ignition timing.

If the tick over is erratic then you need to remove and clean the stepper motor, also check inlet tract for air leaks. You could go mad and remove and clean the plenum and ram housing then check/set the throttle butterfly. I would also suggest you check/set the base idle.

If you search the V8 section there are loads of handy hints and tips on how to start a stubborn V8 and how to do basic set up/tuning.

Good luck.
Click to expand...

I know the timing will be out a little as in a moment of desperation I did loosen the distributor trying different positions when it was cranking but not firing. I'll get that checked properly and those other things you mention. Thankyou for all the suggestions everyone, this is a very friendly and helpful forum.
 
I am no expert but have had this myself with the hunting, I would clean the stepper motor for starters and maybe get a cheap second hand MAF meter too from the bay...
just my 2cp

Stu
 
mickle said:
I know the timing will be out a little as in a moment of desperation I did loosen the distributor trying different positions when it was cranking but not firing. I'll get that checked properly and those other things you mention. Thankyou for all the suggestions everyone, this is a very friendly and helpful forum.
Click to expand...


Holy ****! friendly and helpful? are you on the right forum :D
 
mickle said:
First things first, new member here so hello everyone :)

It cranked ok, started only just and ran very rough, coughing on a low idle and any touch of the throttle just killed it. After that it would catch occasionally but mosting it would just turn over and nothing, no starting, no catching, just cranking until battery died.
Click to expand...

Hi Mickle, this alone suggests ignition timing is slightly too far retarded...dizzy needs clamp loosening n dizzy rotating a tiny bit anticlockwise to advance it a little

Coolant sensor, as been suggested, I can confirm meself is also prone to being a bitch too;)
 
Ordered a new coolant sensor, just waiting for it to arrive now. Also waiting on a mate for his timing lamp and code reader. Whilst waiting I had a laugh today and went for a pre-MOT to see if it kicked up any other issues that I'd not spotted. Passed on everything except emissions surprise surprise :D

Was putting out a value of 12 when it should of been 0.9 max the guy said, I knew it was bad but not THAT bad lol

On the plus side, they praised the excellent condition of everything else, no rot, no leaky sunroofs, mint interior. Not sure what to do now, I bought this for an off road toy, it might be too good for that. Might sell and get a 300 tdi that's not so mint :p
 
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