Ultimate "off roader"

[BillHurr]

This 1995 3.9 V8 has been "off road" now for 18 months and has even puzzled trained LR Technicians! Having suddenly refused to start after a shopping trip, the Disco is now at a stage where it will only start if we advance the ignition to about 30 degs BTDC, it revs OK with some pre-ignition, but will only idle at 750 rpm and "hunts". If we reset the distributor while it is running to 8 deg BTDC it slows down and stops. We are currently in the process of checking / changing the timing chain and cogs thinking the chain may have stretched or jumped a cog. Has anyone seen this issue before, as we have tried everything else that has been suggested by some pretty knowledgable LR experts?

 

[joey]

Sounds to me like the Cam is worn out, but that is just my backyard mechanical abilities talking.

 

[BillHurr]

Sounds to me like the Cam is worn out, but that is just my backyard mechanical abilities talking.

Thanks Joey, I changed the chain and cogs today, the chain was very slack, but it's only done 56,000 miles so I would hope the cam isn't worn out yet? I was hoping the chain had jumped a tooth maybe, but not as far as I could make out. By the time we rebuilt everything it was dark and raining...and the battery was getting low so maybe tomorrow!

 

[beemer]

old 3.9 motor, crap timing gear sets?

BillHurr, don't try to fool yourself the cams on Rovers are shot at 60,000 miles. Get a tru-roller timing set by Edelbrock for a V-6, it's the same but better than "Rover crap". Go to [email protected], they have Piper cams, RP4 that's 260 degrees vs 285 degees, if you want to play with the small bearing 3.9 motor. 4.0 or 4.6 with a RPI Tornato chip will make it run like your dreams.
This will still pass smog if your in a smog zone. The BMEP is so low as is the engine size (ci) for a 4,600 empty pound tank. !960's design with pro queen followers, why? Yes i'm stupid as i have a money pit 95 D1 5-speed 4.6 that's worth it's weight in scrap iron. Carl........o&o>..............

 

[BillHurr]

Thanks Beemer, I have been talking to Chris at RPIV8 who gave us some things to try. His last suggestion was to check the timing chain and if that didn't help he would try to suggest something (?) else. If I get it started today and the timing is still out, I will give Chris a call to discuss the possibility of a shot camshaft. I hope it's not that 'cos it looks like a lot of work to change!
Cheers
Bill

 

[BillHurr]

At last we seem to be getting somewhere. The new timing chain seems to have done the trick, the engine is now running at 8 Deg BTDC with a much better idle. A new distributer cap and rotor should cure the slight "stumble" and hopefully the Disco will be back "On road" again!
Thanks to everyone for their suggestions.

 

[beemer]

Improvements, yes!

BillHurr, i'm glad you found RPI and Chris unless you must have the sun rise and and fall with oil leaks on a ****** Rover. The Tornado chip as well as a RPI-4 cam ( Piper) will wake up your vehicle and still pass smog tests. Now if you had a 4.6 with 5-speed (the Rover they should of made) it would be fun to drive. Piper cams run over 200,000 miles vs Rover "wear flat cam" crap, timing chains that don't have plastic cam gears to fail as well as a better ECU chip. This may **** off the Rover purists but i use what works. Also check out Rimmer Brothers. Broken Rover towed home again. Carl.......o&o>.........