ycooreman Posted June 2, 2009 Share Posted June 2, 2009 Hi everyone! I'm in the process of selling my '91 V8i disco but I want to get to the bottom of my problems which have led me to want to sell it. It's a long story which I will shorten a lot, and get to the point. I bought the Disco not that long ago and in ran fine. It just needed to warm up 5 minutes otherwise the engine would be a bit erratic in idle. So far so good. I then quite quickly -and in hindsight, too hastily- decided to have it converted to LPG. The conversion was done expertly but it started to highlight a problem. The LPG system needs good electrics, I was warned about that. The Disco still ran ok on petrol, but the erratic behaviour on LPG in idle were magnified.. btw, erratic is actually not the right word, the real problem is that the engine would slow down and shut down. So I decided to change the plugs, change the distributor cap and rotor (genuine Land Rover parts) and I bought a good set of leads as well. To make the story short, this is when I found the problem: one of the plugs didn't go in as deep as it should. There's clearly something wrong with the thread, either clogged up with carbon or the thread is damaged. That explains the better running when warmed up of course.. the expansion improves the seal. By this time, I have given up on owning a Disco. I'm not a mechanic, I don't even have a garage or driveway.. not ideal to maintain a car like this. So I've put it on ebay.. But I would still like to know if I'm right about what's wrong with the car. Do you think it's likely to be the dodgy plug thread? You can actually hear a slight 'ffft fft fft' noise coming from the cylinder when the engine is turning. When I disconnecting the lead you can't even hear a difference in the running of the engine (you can when I disconnect one of the other leads). And it still improves after having been running for a while (although it needs at least 15 minutes now, but that's probably because I haven't been able to get the plug in as deep as it was when I bought the car). Or could there be a different or additional problem? Any help would be very much appreciated. Even though I'm in the process of selling it, I still would want to know.. who knows, maybe it doesn't sell and I give fixing it an other try. It would be a pity, it's otherwise in good condition, it's got the raised suspension, the snorkel, etc but it looks like I'm never going to get to do any off-roading. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ycooreman Posted June 3, 2009 Author Share Posted June 3, 2009 I guess I'll just continue hoping it sells then Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
disco tony Posted June 4, 2009 Share Posted June 4, 2009 Your assumptions could be correct but you will not know without trying to rectify the problem. It could be what you suggest or something completely different, I think thats why you've had no replys to your post. I would suggestb asking a garage to re-tap the plug hole in situ for you, unless you have the tap youself?, (.fine thread taps are expensive to buy). I had a gas converted disco some years ago. I had lots of trouble which really put me off but when it ran well, it was VERY nice. Up to you really, but if you have got this far and yoy fancy off roading, why not persevere? Once you get bitten by the bug, its difficult to walk away, you obviously havent got that far yet. If you do sell it, good luck with e-bay!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ycooreman Posted June 6, 2009 Author Share Posted June 6, 2009 Thanks for the replies! I've got someone to come and have a look at it. I'll know for sure then what's wrong with that plug and thread. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BogMonster Posted June 7, 2009 Share Posted June 7, 2009 The noise makes it sound like a plug thread to me too - I had a loose plug once which did exactly that Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
vavu Posted June 7, 2009 Share Posted June 7, 2009 From what your saying sounds like it could need the plug thread re tapping and think it may be worth getting them to do a compression test on that cylinder. I'm no expert though but I certainly think its worth keeping especially if its not a major issue and can be resolved fairly easily. Sometimes what seems a major problem can often be something very simple. Just knowing what it is or knowing someone who does know!! I personally think Landys are great fun and every time I sell one I want another so I'm keeping this one till its chassis turns into toast and even then I may rebuild her!! Hope you get it sorted!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pw8757 Posted June 9, 2009 Share Posted June 9, 2009 Please keep us posted - its always disappointing when an "interesting" problem just fades away on the forum, a bit like getting to the last part of a "whodunnit" and losing the book! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.