F
FordCrusherGT
Guest
Hi all, this is my first post here. I just purchased a '97 Range Rover 4.6 HSE. The truck has 61k miles on it and is aesthetically in immaculate condition (almost) with zero rust. I haven't even taken delivery yet (that will be on Saturday) but a friend of mine has picked it up. Unfortunately, he's given me a list of problems with it. I'm looking for some associated guidance on a few of the issues. Here's the list, followed by questions and details:
1) Oil leaks (front and rear main seals, timing cover, valve covers)
2) Transmission shifts hardish
3) Sunroof headliner sagging
4) AC doesn't work (but compressor spins)
5) Rear axle seal leaks (for one axle)
6) Transfer case leaks
7) Power steering appears to leak slightly (stuff on top of engine is slightly damp)
8) Electrical gremlins! Fuse 10 fail, Fuse 20 fail, Sunroof Not Seated, Alternator Failure.
9) Radio display functioning poorly (radio also needs code)
10) Trip computer functions poorly (claims average mpg of 12.6 and average speed of 24 mph)
11) Front anti-roll bar end link is broken.
Obviously I have to buy a new end link. Are there any upgrades here (polyurethane, etc.) or should I just go with the factory ones?
The trip computer I would generally believe is probably due to it being reset at a poor time, and was probably idled a lot and not driven much during that time period, but I have no idea how this trip computer works. The radio needs the code, and I was going to go to the Land Rover dealer, but turning it on doesn't result in the display being highly visible. Apparently there are indications that it is turning on, but you just can't read the display. Any ideas on this?
Electrical gremlins: It says Fuse 10 and Fuse 20 have a failure (however that goes away immediately after turning on). However, all the electrical functions work. It says the sunroof is not seated, but the sunroof is closed and seated properly. I believe that warning goes away, but I am not certain. When my friend started the truck today it said Alternator Failure, but that went away and it's charging at 13.7 volts.
Power steering is self-explanatory, as are the leaks, and the sunroof headliner sagging.
The AC compressor is spinning, but apparently the AC doesn't work. I am going to have to look into this myself. Hopefully it is just low on charge. He said that both temps were on LO and the fan was on max. I told him to try putting the fan on the minimum setting and see if it cools, and also to put his hand on the low side lines to see if they are cold. If so, it probably needs a can or two of freon. Alternately I assume there is a blend door. Any info here for me? I've got plenty of AC experience so I'm sure I'll figure it out, but if there is a problem with the blend door that may do it.
And I think the tranny needs a fluid/filter change...
Oh, and finally there is no text around the steering wheel buttons. Can anyone tell me what each button does?
So, obviously I need to do a lot of work on this thing. I'm disappointed because only one of these issues was disclosed (the Fuse 10), and now the seller is nowhere to be found. Gee, what a surprise. My friend who picked up the truck didn't inspect it thoroughly (despite my instructions) and I am annoyed at him about that, obviously, but doesn't change the fact that I have this thing. The good news is that the interior and exterior are still in overall excellent shape, especially for being 7 years old. It's got 61,000 miles on it, and everything does work (except for whatever is wrong with the radio and the AC). Plus there is absolutely zero rust on it. Really I just have a lot of small issues to deal with. I still want to keep the thing as I feel I have overall gotten a good deal, but that I have more work ahead of me than I'd anticipated. I always do my own work, and have worked on these things some professionally while I was a Jaguar mechanic. The main things that I could use some advice on are the electrical issues, as well as which part suppliers you all would recommend.
Thanks in advance!
1) Oil leaks (front and rear main seals, timing cover, valve covers)
2) Transmission shifts hardish
3) Sunroof headliner sagging
4) AC doesn't work (but compressor spins)
5) Rear axle seal leaks (for one axle)
6) Transfer case leaks
7) Power steering appears to leak slightly (stuff on top of engine is slightly damp)
8) Electrical gremlins! Fuse 10 fail, Fuse 20 fail, Sunroof Not Seated, Alternator Failure.
9) Radio display functioning poorly (radio also needs code)
10) Trip computer functions poorly (claims average mpg of 12.6 and average speed of 24 mph)
11) Front anti-roll bar end link is broken.
Obviously I have to buy a new end link. Are there any upgrades here (polyurethane, etc.) or should I just go with the factory ones?
The trip computer I would generally believe is probably due to it being reset at a poor time, and was probably idled a lot and not driven much during that time period, but I have no idea how this trip computer works. The radio needs the code, and I was going to go to the Land Rover dealer, but turning it on doesn't result in the display being highly visible. Apparently there are indications that it is turning on, but you just can't read the display. Any ideas on this?
Electrical gremlins: It says Fuse 10 and Fuse 20 have a failure (however that goes away immediately after turning on). However, all the electrical functions work. It says the sunroof is not seated, but the sunroof is closed and seated properly. I believe that warning goes away, but I am not certain. When my friend started the truck today it said Alternator Failure, but that went away and it's charging at 13.7 volts.
Power steering is self-explanatory, as are the leaks, and the sunroof headliner sagging.
The AC compressor is spinning, but apparently the AC doesn't work. I am going to have to look into this myself. Hopefully it is just low on charge. He said that both temps were on LO and the fan was on max. I told him to try putting the fan on the minimum setting and see if it cools, and also to put his hand on the low side lines to see if they are cold. If so, it probably needs a can or two of freon. Alternately I assume there is a blend door. Any info here for me? I've got plenty of AC experience so I'm sure I'll figure it out, but if there is a problem with the blend door that may do it.
And I think the tranny needs a fluid/filter change...
Oh, and finally there is no text around the steering wheel buttons. Can anyone tell me what each button does?
So, obviously I need to do a lot of work on this thing. I'm disappointed because only one of these issues was disclosed (the Fuse 10), and now the seller is nowhere to be found. Gee, what a surprise. My friend who picked up the truck didn't inspect it thoroughly (despite my instructions) and I am annoyed at him about that, obviously, but doesn't change the fact that I have this thing. The good news is that the interior and exterior are still in overall excellent shape, especially for being 7 years old. It's got 61,000 miles on it, and everything does work (except for whatever is wrong with the radio and the AC). Plus there is absolutely zero rust on it. Really I just have a lot of small issues to deal with. I still want to keep the thing as I feel I have overall gotten a good deal, but that I have more work ahead of me than I'd anticipated. I always do my own work, and have worked on these things some professionally while I was a Jaguar mechanic. The main things that I could use some advice on are the electrical issues, as well as which part suppliers you all would recommend.
Thanks in advance!