97 Disco SE7 Starting Issue & Clanking Noise

[skinnydipper]

I had two instances where the Disco wouldn't start at the grocery store. Both times I let it sit overnight, then it started right up the next morning. Right after starting it made a clanking noise, sounded like a lifter that wasn't pumping up or a loose rocker. The noise lasted for only a few minutes, then went away. The noise only happened the two times also.

Any ideas?

Thanks,
Skinny

 

[joey]

Guessing, bad battery and oil pick up tube is clogged.

 

[skinnydipper]

I guess I forgot to mention that it turned over just fine, it would turn over and fire then die.

 

[joey]

I that case, how many miles are on it... and last major tune up (what was done during the tune up).

 

[Disco Mike]

Has it tried to stall on you or take longer to start on you before, how about the noise, does the noise only happen when you are having starting problems?

 

[skinnydipper]

110,000 miles. Not sure of last major tune-up because I just bought it but the plugs and wires look new. The noise only happens after it starts after a no-start. In other words, it wont start, I let it sit overnight, it starts, it makes the noise for a few minutes. It has taken longer to start a couple of times when the engine is warm, for example if I stop for lunch, when I restart 1//2 hour later it turns over few times before starting.

 

[Disco Mike]

You can have a couple reasons for the start issue. Will it start if you use some carb spray in the t/body and reinstall the hose? If it does, then try turning the key to the second position for 4 seconds, off and do that at least 3 time, then try to start it.
Have you replaced the fuel filter, may want to consider replacing the the fuel pump relay.
Let me know.

 

[skinnydipper]

Just heard from the garage. The fuel pump is bad, $600 part and 2.5 hours labor. The crank shaft sensor is broken, and there is a bolt of some sorts holding the sensor that is broken. $170 part, unknown labor estimate because they are not sure how to get the broken bolt out.

 

[wolf]

Re: crank sensor

Just heard from the garage. The fuel pump is bad, $600 part and 2.5 hours labor. The crank shaft sensor is broken, and there is a bolt of some sorts holding the sensor that is broken. $170 part, unknown labor estimate because they are not sure how to get the broken bolt out.

That crank sensor is rated as the single most important sensor in your system and, unfortunately, they stick it in a rather ticklish spot down below your exhaust-header manifold facing back into the bell-housing and covered with a fairly crappy heat-shield (i.e., a hard plastic covered with reflective material) which also happens to double as a critical spacer which bolts must pass through. Just did mine - and cursed at it most of the way! I also added exhaust-muffler reflective tape to the outside of the heat shield as mine was flaking-off bits of reflective material.

Wolf

 

[Disco Mike]

I don't buy the fuel pump issue, tell the shop to hold on that and do the crank sensor first. When not work correctly, the crank sensor won't let the ECU turn on the pump.
$100 says the pump is fine and the shop missed on this one.