bert

Yes I did check it and was full to the fill level plug so doesn't seem like there's any problems there. I took it for a drive and there was no oil in the bottles fitted and none of the usual puring of oil underneath. There must have been loads in there under pressure to come out of the breather. It rewarded me with a new puzzle by running like a bag of nails, kangerooing popping spluttering. Got a fuelling problem to look at next I think. I've checked the engine oil too as there's a bit of a leak from the front end I think too but they've topped that up too much and is above the max mark! As the old saying goes if you need it done properly you got to do it yourself.

Yes was a bit of waste, but he didn't charge very much at all really and he charged me trade price for MOT, with an offer of free parts for my XR4x4 project. That and ear ache that I should have done it myself and need to underseal it etc. Thanks to all who've contibuted!

Fatboy and Mo, you were both onto something there. I added some plastic bottles to the end of the breather hoses. (See pic) But before taking it for a drive I thought I'd check the level in the transfer box (as suggested) as when it went for an MOT I asked them to check the oil levels as I had been busy working. Anyway I took out the level plug and nearly drowned in oil ! . There must have been over two litres too much in it. Naturally I'd forgotten to think ahead and have something to hand to catch the oil but after scrambling into the workshop and back I still caught well over a litre in the bucket. There is a suspect bolt towards the top of the transfer box that has a spot of oil under it and my guess is they've filled it through that. I've been out in it since and not a drop in the oil and oil isn't running onto the floor from the front cross member. Still I suppose it was like having a Scottoiler for a Land Rover! It's given me my next task now to figure why it's kangarooing and the petrol light flashes on when it feels like. Me thinks it's time those carbs were stripped.

Well we were in a pub drinking some very good local stuff !

OK I will pull the plugs and hopefully not drown in oil to see if it's transferring. I didn't think of that . Then as soon as I liberate some containers from the kitchen tonight after she's gone to bed I can try and fix them to the breathers to see what's going where. I've spoken to a couple of local mechanics I know about this. One just couldn't give any suggestions but one who's ex military said that it may be some sort of blockage causing a vacuum or that the oil may not have settled properly after re-filling as the plug should be left out for some time after. I'll post with the results !

Containers sound the best idea so far! Any structure over 30 sq metres floor space usually needs planning and comply with building regs. The containers would be better for security too as the pikeys will either keep the landlord busy and sneak round or wait til he's out. But if you did go down the planning route and build I'd try and but the plot and live there too !

Thanks for the advice both. I've looked at it again and as always the ends of the breather hoses are wet with oil and there is a trail of it that runs directly below them. Some of the oil had even got caught on the back of the bulkhead in a tiny pool . I've previously been wiping it away to check it is coming from there. I'm certain it's oil, even when it started I could smell the gear oil before I even saw it. It's also nice and clean whereas the steering fluid is filthy old stuff that needs changing (part of a very long list). My only other thought is whethetr there it a breather from the transfer box that's leaking it out. Would it be possible that a breather hose has sunk too low in the box and is picking it up?

I've recently serviced my V8 90 and ever since it's been leaking oil from the gearbox. So it's now leaving about a quids worth a day on the drive. Box was level filled on level ground. The most obvious (and hopefully only) place for this leak is oil seems to be dripping down from the breather hoses that come up onto the bulkhead. But it's doing a lovely job of preserving the front cross member . I've used it a few times now and each time it chucks the oil out. Although the 90 is a 1988 model it has the engine and gearbox out of a 110 from about 1992. From what I can establish it's an R380 gearbox judging by pictures showing the T55 torx filler fitting above the drain plug which are approached from the drivers side and reverse gear is directly below 5th. I've put Unipart MTF 94 into it as advised and bought from Landranger services. Anyone had the same problem or got any advice on how to sort it would be great.

I forgot to add, would you use an engine flush through one of these as I have benefits in other engines in the past but read a bad report about flushing V8's elsewhere ?

Hello FridgeFreezer, Thanks for the info about the oils etc. It's much better to have info and experience passed on. It sounds like your talking from experience about the oil pump too. Buying a cheaper oil is good news as getting all these oils etc isn't cheap. Re the gearbox I was told by the previous owner it was an R380 plus I've read that if reverse is directly behind 5th gear that is the formation of the R380 only. Don't know if that is totally true ??? The 90 started life as a diesel but was changed to a low mileage V8 that was sourced from a military 110 that was around a 1992 I believe. the engine has done around 50k to date. If the box is an LT77 or something would that mean I've got to use a different oil? Top tip about filling axles too. I will have to liberate a sprayer from someone's shed!

GIVE LANCASTER INSURANCE A TRY. THEY HAVE A SPECIALIST QUICK QUOTE FOR LAND ROVERS AND I COULDN'T BELIEVE HOW CHEAP THEY WERE WITH NO REQUEST FOR ANY NO CLAIMS BONUS. 160 QUID FULLY COMP ON V8 90.

THANKS FOR THE REPLY ON THE OILS. I WILL TRY AND WORK OUT HOW TO ADD MY PROFILE TO IT AND PUT SOME PHOTOS ON TOO WHEN IT STOPS RAINING.

I became the prpud owner of a 3.5 V8 Land rover 90 a few months ago after years of wanting one. Only thing is that it needs a dam good service. Engine being about 15 years old now, body older. Can anyone help with any advice on servicing tips for one of these please as I seem to be getting conflicting information on what to do and use. It's got an R380 gearbox and so I've got Unipart MTF-94 for that as that seems generally the best to use. When it comes to the engine there is a lot of debate about what oil should be used. The Land Rover dealer tells me I should use a fully synthetic 5W 40 as that's what they use in everything these days, my local garage says the same. The previous owner says 10W40 was used and some forums recomend thicker oils that that. I had thought of running Comma engine flush through it too as it's good stuff. Any advice on gear oil for transmission would be great too.