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Thread: 3.9 engine dying

  1. #1
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    3.9 engine dying

    My 91 RR is fine on the flat with plenty of acceleration but is crawling up hills. It has got a lot worse in the last 6 months. I did compression tests on all cylinders yesterday and now know why - one cylinder is down to 50 PSI and one other to 60 PSI. All others are around 90 to 100 so that is not good either

    Cooper's tell me that if it is the middle cylinders that are so low, it will be liner trouble, if the ends, then probably just head gaskets. The simple conclusion is that this engine is f*#cked (technical term) and I do not have the money currently to have the engine rebuilt - a shame because this vehicle has been excellent and everything else works perfectly - have replaced all the suspension bushes, transfer case, aircon hoses and a heap of other stuff.

    I do have another RR - a 93 Vogue SE with a top-hat 4.6 engine that is finally going well after much work on the brakes, cooling system, aircon etc. So the dilemma is either to sell the 91 cheap to someone who has the ability to fix or replace the engine (they will get a really good car on that basis) OR hang on until I can afford the repair work and.or an engine swap.

    Please let me know if you are interested in buying the 91 OR hear of a good 3.9 or 4.6 engine at a fair price

  2. #2
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    What colour is your 91?
    Roads?.. Where we're going, we don't need roads...

  3. #3
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    The 91 started life as Clearwater blue, but my mate who bought it new wanted something better looking, so all panels were professionally stripped and everything above the sill line painted silver. Below the sill remains Blue and the wheels and bars were painted to match.

    He also added a sunroof, headers with sports exhaust and a MOMO polished timber steering wheel

    The 4.6 he had installed died and was replaced with a 3.9 that I changed later for the 3.9 currently in the vehicle. While in my care, I have changed to p38 electric seats, repaired with grey Connolly leather ans wood-grained the interior trims. I have also replaced the transfer case, virtually all suspension bushes and heaps of other stuff. The bodywork is a now a bit ordinary after several years on dirt roads but nothing serious that can't be easily fixed.

    You saw from my last post that I also have a 93 Vogue SE and it is now going brilliantly. I'm still considering selling that one, because where I live in the bush the much simpler 91 is more practical because lacks most of the complex “enhancements”. that are totally unnecessary as a country vehicle - like ABS, air suspension etc
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  4. #4
    Homestar's Avatar
    Homestar is offline Super Moderator & CA manager Gold Subscriber
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    I bought a good running 3.9 recently for $500 - including brand new alternator. Grabbed the radiator, wiring loom, ECU, air cleaner housing and RAI included in that price - still in vehicle (D1) and could be test driven first - gearbox had **** 3rd gear and he was parting it out. See if you can find a V8 Disco 1 that is in the same boat - bits are cheap as chips. A weekends work and you’re back on the road. 👍
    If you need to contact me please email homestarrunnerau@gmail.com - thanks - Gav.

  5. #5
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    In principle I agree with you. The problem is finding a second hand engine that is fundamentally sound, A compression test should pick up the most obvious problems but not all and it could be good money wasted.

    Better, if more expensive options are either to get the existing engine rebuilt OR find one that has already been done. The latter are around - it is just a matter of finding one. The ideal solution is where the vehicle has been badly pranged beyond repair and is being parted out. Since my first post about this, I have found a P38 GEMS 4.0 being re-sleeved with top-hat liners. This is from a highly reliably supplier who is holding it for me.

    In terms of cost efficiency, it would not be worthwhile to change the engine for an expensive rebuild unless the vehicle was in prime condition. Fortunately, that is my situation, I know the history of this car from new because the PO is a good friend and I know how well it was maintained and what he spent on it. He never missed a service and fixed anything that required it, regardless of cost. His upgrades alone were professionally done also without regard to cost. Since I bought it, it has rarely missed a beat other than a transfer case and some of the usual wear and tear issues (air-con, universals, bushes etc).

    For these reasons, it is most likely I'll hang onto my 93 Vogue as a DD until I can afford to get the rebuilt 4.0 engine for the 91, I live in the bush 80 Km from any city so having one reliable vehicle is essential

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