The Rover-Landers of BC

Looking for some ideas on this elusive problem.
My 92 Range Rover Classic 3.9L EFI quit while idling in a line up and refuses to start. This is the second time this year. The first time no problem could be found. Eventually started after sitting for a day.
- there is gas geting to the plugs, fuel filter changed annually
- there is spark
- no loose wires or hoses are apparent
- cylinders have compression
- coil has been changed
- no hint of problems before this happened as was the case last time.
- no alarms or dash lights came on before dying
Anyone have any suggestions?
Thanks
Ted

Hi Ted,

I had the same symptons a few years ago on my 91 RRC, after a lot of chasing the fault turned out to be a weak battery!
It may not be your problem but worth a check.
Do you have another vehicle that you can swap batteries for the day?

Good luck,
Andy

Hi Andy

that is a good idea but the battery is less than a year old and even when fully recharged the RR still won't start.
Cheers
Ted

When was the fuel pump changed last? :wink:

Is it flooding due to a posible weak spark?

The fuel pump was OK the last time but I will check the spark again but the coil has been changed. If weak where else should I look.
Thanks
Ted

Hi Ted,

During cranking, does the battery voltage drop down near or below 10volts? If so this will effect fuel pressure and spark output and usually results in a flood condition which sometimes will only clear by removing all the plugs and blowing fuel out of the cylinders, then try starting with a fully charged battery.

I wouldn't rule out a fuel issue until you have conclusive results to these tests:
- Have you measured fuel pressure under load?
- Have tested fuel volume at idle to ensure correct flow?
- Have you tested voltage drop to the fuel pump power and ground circuits to be less than 0.2volts?

Hope this helps!

Later,
Don

Thanks everyone for your suggestions so far. An update- as the plugs were fuel soaked and while down about 1/2 they have been changed, another coil has been tried however the earlier compression test mentioned was for someone elses vehicle at 150 all around. Thought it was to good to be true with 22K on my RRC. Mine are 110 to 120 with 3 bing 85 to 95. Not great but shouldn't cause it not to start up.
Going to recheck the fuel system again. Battery is at full charge.
Keep anymore ideas coming.
Thanks
Ted

Was your compression test done while you had the fuel soaked plugs out? Unless a bit of oil was squirted into the cylinders before doing the test, its quite likely that the gasoline that was flooding it also wetted down the cylinder walls thus resulting in abnormally low - and inaccurate compression readings.

Dave

Thanks Don that makes me feel a bit better as the test was done after the fuel soaked plugs came out.
Cheers
Ted

OOPs, thanks should go to Dave:)

Hi Ted,
You may of read all this already but this is where I always go for my RRC diagnostics.......

http://www.rangerovers.net/rremedies.htm#stalling

Good Luck,
Andy

Thanks Andy! Good site!
The latest: almost started today with the help of some quick start but no go. Changed the Air flow meter , got lots of spark, got timing pulse, tons of fuel- still soaking the plugs but no go. Going to change distributor next and check timing chain.
Keep the ideas coming. Anyone know if I had the ECU plugged in for diagnostics read, whether it would be of use?I would have to the vehicle towed quite a distance in order to do this.

Well I am a happy camper again :D :D
Finally fixed. In the end the distributor was putting out faulty info and screwing up the works. Changed a lot of bits before happening onto the distributor, so now I will have to get another for the ambi from Dico Tech and will put all my spare bits back into there storage bin till another time.
Other than it is running again the RRC feels like it has a lot more power than before, well at least when pushing down the gas pedal I can feel a little push back in the seat- I know Andrew a 3.9 is not a 4.6 but don't spoil the moment!
So now all I have got to do is fix the rusty 2 inner fender,change out the transfer box, get the passenger side lock working, then there is the cruise control, oh yes there is the noisy fan motor.....
Thanks one and all for your many suggestions and hints on and off line.
Cheers
Ted