Simon_CSK

I am in the process of removing the block from my 1996 P38 Range Rover it overheats and the big ends are rumbling. This is a GEMS engine management system in this one. I have a block from my 2001 Range Rover which was a Thor system to go back into the 1996. I know the history of the Thor block as it came via a friend who had it in a GEMS and converted it for me to the Thor. Now if you have managed to follow that can you tell me other than the inlet manifold what are the main differences. I have noticed some differences at the flywheel. Is the flywheel different? Also is the fixing for the torque converter to the flywheel different? Photos would be great. The block is almost ready to lift just need to remove three of the exhaust bolts, disconnect the flywheel and remove the engine mounts and I am ready so help much appreciated.

I have just replaced the full chassis and having seen the state mine was in I would suggest that a. you don't do it unless you have very very deep pockets and b, if you have deep pockets and still want to do it you do the full chassis. You are welcome to come and have a look at mine.

No smoke and minimal oil loss. Water black but no sludge not checked the oil yet. Will do tomorrow.

Nothing at all!!

My sunroof is not working. I have replaced the motor and I have replaced the switch pack any other ideas?

Not welded Since December and now has a new chassis. Eric What does this look like? I will try and post a photo later.

Brilliant yes it is a manual. It is going for an MOT on Wednesday will get them to look for clues unless anyone else has any ideas.

Mat Thanks but it is not a light it is a symbol on the Odometer the the far left of the trip meter.

As the title says. I am guessing that the two are not connected at this stage. The water in the reservoir has turned black and I suspect that this is blow back from the cylinders. This could mean that I will put my good block in it but what are the likely causes of the miss fire?

I have a D type symbol with a couple of lines through it come up on my dash and are blinking. As a result of this happening the Central locking has stopped working as has the remote opening. Does anybody know what this means. TD5 Disco Diesel on 51 plate.

Yes I thought so too. Am really pleased with it just need to sort out the bugs.

Less than £1k and a little more than £0.5K plus the trip to your neck of the woods from Glasgow and trailer hire.

Update: I played with the neutral and switched into low box got a clunk and switched back into high box got another clunk and the select neutral is now gone. Car heated up but did not get into the red.So my first step is to. look at the thermostat I think the lumpiness is a miss fire so will need to investigate the cause is there a possibility that the misfire and the overheating are linked? Also suggestions on cause of miss fire. Have done 70 miles in it and for what I paid I am really pleased with it.

Mine is a Disco TD5 and the brakes are definately soft. My car was out of action for one month while the body was changed. The brakes were always good. I drove the car to Burford (Oxford) from Paisley (Glasgow) on Wednesday and collected my new Range Rover. Car, despite the brakes and heater, performed fantastically and towed the trailer brilliantly without any problems at all. I had a great day out and the Range Rover I have bought is a cracker and found little to fault other than that I already knew of.

Excellent so it looks likely that I have the necessary parts to fix the problem.

Filip Sounds very interesting and will try it later when I get home from work. Do you know if the later ECU and motor fit the earlier model. I have both that I have taken off a 2000 plate P38 which I scrapped.

Thanks for the offer but I fear a little too far. I am in Scotland. I have a friend who has Rovacom and he has a P38.

Thanks I paid peanuts for it and so far cannot find any major issues. I have a brand new batter I can put in it. The engine is just not quite right I cannot pin i down so it could be as you have suggested. Thanks at least I have somewhere to start to look.

Collected my new toy yesterday 800 mile round trip later I have been playing. Have had it out on the road and done about 30 miles with little in the way of problems. Brake fluid needed topped up but that done I have two things outstanding. The issues that I have are as follows:- The message centre shows "Select Neutral" all the time except when I do as requested. The engine I was told was overheating but I can find no evidence having had a chance to go for a run. The engine does seem a lttle gravelly/lumpy but that could be me getting used to a V8 again. There is plenty of power. Also the message centre is faded at one end so I was wondering if I can use the instrument cluster that I took out of my 2001 Vogue this is a 1997 HSE.

Now the chassis is fitted a number of small snags have appeared. I cannot get the break pedal to firm up. Ideas please. The heater matrix has started to leak and temporarily I have looped it out. How difficult/big a job is it to sort this?

With cars now being very computerised and having fault codes etc. One needs a device to access and reset. I have a CSK, a Disco 2 and very soon a P38. What would be the best kit to buy to access the brains of these vehicles. I have looked around and I see there is Lynx by Britpart, Hawkeye by Bearmach to name but two where I can buy licences specifically for my vehicle. Which is best and what others are available?

Snaggers Yes I get your point and certainly £10k spent would do a detailed job. Have spent about half of that and only replaced the chassis with new brakes and suspension. At the end of the day most people will only pay a certain range for any vehicle. There is a top end and a bottom end no matter what you do to it. In my case it is a 2001 Discovery. To me the work is valuable and means I can keep the car for 3 to 5 years but that does not make it worth the value I have invested in it if I was to sell it on.

HS This would have been great thanks unfortunately the max weight they do is 2600kg and I need 3500ky for a P38 MG I am not sure he still does trailer hire. All Thanks for everyone's help and suggestions I have found a company in Rosyth that hires out 3500kg ones. A bit of a trek but very necessary. I was beginning to panic about getting it home.

As much as I like the utility of a Defender I do like my home comforts and love the P38 it was a real luxury motor and am looking forward to collecting it next week. The Disco as you can see from this tread has a nice new galvie chassis and lot and lots of other nice new bits. Have added front and rear HD power points for the winch receiver hitch front and rear and spot lights. Am really looking forward to play time. I will keep the Range Rover as a back up for when the Disco breaks down and to use when I go out.

Has anybody tried to run a TD5 engine on Bio Diesel from recycled veg oil? I would be very interested in results.