When it rains, it pours

[discoskc]

Not sure what bad karma of mine is coming back to bite me. But seems like there is no respite in problems with my Disco.

This may be problems caused by my blocked Cat-converter and exhaust that I just replaced, but seems like there may be problems with my fuel-injectors. According to the mechanic, it seems that they may be blocked.

He also found a couple of spark-plugs which were completely blacked out. I have not talked to him since he left that message for me, but I wonder what could cause this? Could this mean I am running rich?

Also, he said I might want to think of replacing my starter since that is on its way out too. Does anyone know of any good replacements for the OEM starters? Is there like a good aftermarket ignition module that can replace the stock ignition?

As always, any and all help mucho appreciated.

SKC
-------------
95 Disco
68K miles

 

[96Discose7]

yes, blocked cats will mess with the system up stream, since you have changed all that part of the system have the shop do a Motor Vac, it a machine that runs cleaner thru your fuel system in a series of hoat and cold soaking, or save the 100 bucks or so and do the seafoam home soak method to clean your injectors/valves/pistons.... as for the starter well does it slip and hard to start on you? if not wait on it unless it is going south ..... -Andy

note: not all shops have the Motor-Vac, my friend has one and it works like a charm, but i dont pay for it... well not money anyways, he just gets a really clean shop when i am there -Andy

Motor-Vac can be seen here http://www.motorvac.com/

 

[discomike]

SKC,
First on the starter, what is yours doing wrong and how many miles on the truck?
If you do need one you might consider this
http://www.mean-green.com/index.html
This is a great starter with lots of guts to it.
As for the fouled plugs. Were these plugs on the same side as the bad Cat, if so they are what killed your other Cat and do nee to be looked into. How long have the plugs been i and are you running on originial factory plug wires?
There are ways, if your injectors are not too bad , to clean them yourself. As Andy mentioned Seafoam, which is good, B&G's 44K is even better and should cure your problem.
Get back to me,
Mike J.

 

[discoskc]

Mike,
1. Starter - When I turn the key, it acts as if its getting stuck. It turns over, cranks and then dies. If I give gas, just to get it going, the truck starts and runs fine. My truck has just 68K miles on it.
Are Mean-Green starters standard replacement? Or do I have to do some modifications to make it work?

2. Both my Cats had problems. The plugs are one on each side that is fouled up. I ran Seafoam through before I changed the Cats.

I changed the plugs around 15K miles ago. Thats when I replaced the wires too with Genuine wires. I am running OEM Champion plugs.

SKC.

 

[discomike]

Can you be more specific with your starter problem? What is getting stuck, is the starter turning over ok and at it's normal speed? You say it turns over, cranks and dies, do you mean the engine is not starting but the starter is OK? I am confused. Giving the engine gas has no bearing on wether your starter is good or bad.
Make since on your plugs and the cat failure. You are going to need to change the plugs, if it were mine I would put some better wires in there for more spark, but that is just me.
Get back to me,
Mike J.

 

[discoskc]

Mike,

Sorry I did not make myself clear earlier. The starter seems to turn over ok. I am not sure of its speed. The engine does not start, till I give it some gas by pushing the gas pedal right after I turn the key.

I was thinking about putting some Magnacore wires in, but did not know where to buy a set from which would match my 95 Disco. I was also thinking of maybe putting in some NGK plugs to replace the Champions or even use the Bosch Platinum 4+.

I was also wondering if it is time for me to change the distributor rotor and cap. That was when I started wondering if there was any aftermarket replacement, maybe an electronic distributor or something.

SKC

 

[discomike]

OK, now I am starting to see the bigger picture so to speak.
So lets for get about the starter for now and deal with a starting problem.
If you haven't replaced your fuel filter in the last year do it now. Buy some 8mm, Magnacor's at www.offroadtuff.com/
tell them I sais Hi, I send them alot of business,. Go for the Bosh Platiumn Plus 4's and for sure go for a new cap and rotor.
Get back to me when it is all done, I think you will be quite pleased.
Mike J.

 

[discoskc]

Mike,

I have already ordered the Magnacore wires. As soon as they come I will fit it and see if it does anything.

As of now my Disco is dead. It does not even start. Here's the symptom: When I try to start it, the engine starts. The RPM go to around 1500 and then comes down to 0 and stalls. If I press the gas pedal, the engine turns over. As long as I have the gas pedal pressed, the engine stays running. The moment I lift my foot off the pedal, the RPMs fall to 0 and the engine stalls. Once it dies, I have to turn the ignition many times (around 5-10 minutes, 20 seconds every time) to get it to start again.

I have also ordered a couple of fuel pump relays and fuel filters. Also a new Distributor rotor and cap. BTW, this is my 2nd fuel pump. This pump has around 15K miles on it. Not sure if that is going bad either.

I do not know if this new information changes your diagnosis.

SKC.

 

[discomike]

Don't you have any codes stored, out to be something there to give you a clue.
Before you go partsing this truck to death, you really need to get it in so someone can scan it, watching it as it is running.
I wish I had more ideas.
Mike

 

[discoskc]

How do you check codes on a 95 Disco? I tried looking under the passenger seat, but could not figure out what I was looking for.

SKC