[sotal]

Hi,

Just registered on here, I'll be having a good read through and will probably be posting some questions very soon.

I've just purchased a 1998 4.6 HSE with LPG, but it's a non-runner.

Description from previous owner was:

Driving along, noticed steam from bonnet - pulled over straight away. Pipe to rear drivers side of engine had burst. Lost all coolant. Recovered home. Started engine to check compression - started fine but low compression on front two cylinders - didn't want to run it too long without coolant so switched it off for 10 minutes, then it wouldn't start again - it would turn over but wouldn't catch. Drivers side head removed no damage could be seen (no slipped liners etc) spark plugs all looked similar (non steam cleaned). It's then sat like that for a few months.

It should be delievered to my drive via recovery truck on Friday. I was hoping for a head skim and a pair of composite gaskets - am I being too optimistic!

Never owned a V8 before, infact all my land rovers have been diesel so it's new ground for me.

Any advice would be appreciated - I'm half considering dropping a replacement engine in but may as well look at this one first. engines seem to be about £600+ does that sound right?

 

[sotal]

Don't know how low the compression was, but the fact that it wouldn't start after they ran it once suggests it was very low.

I can't test the compression yet as the head is off, should be delivered to me tomorrow on a recovery truck so will be able to start playing after then!

I was going to pull off the other head, check both heads with a straight edge and feelers, to make sure they are not warped beyond tolerance, whilst off I will properly check the liners to make sure they haven't slipped and I'll check the spark plugs for any rusting or steam cleaning.

If all looks OK, I'll get a pair of composite gaskets and new bolts - put it back together and see if it runs, otherwise I'll send the heads off for skimming and pressure testing, before doing the gaskets.

Once it's back together I'll cross my fingers and hope it runs, if it does I'll check the compression and go from there, if the compression is low I'll use that opportunity to test everything else works on the vehicle before deciding what to do next.


Anything else to look for whilst the heads are off?

 

[sotal]

Are you getting fuel and spark? That would be my concern. Just another failure that occurred at the same time and that has nothing to do with the previous problem.

No idea yet will let you know when I've had chance to look at it and reassemble it, should be arriving tomorrow!

 

[sotal]

The p38 arrived today as promised so I now have it on my drive ready to start looking at it.

I feel a bit out of my depth on this now having had a quick look!

So far I've had a quick look at the head that was in the boot it doesn't look to be warped, I used a straight peice of metal and my feeler guages, will recheck properly tomorrow though.