3.5 V8 caught fire, lost as to what direction I should take to repair it.

Nish89 · 12th January 2010, 02:45 PM

Hello gents,

Firstly, I'm going to have to ask for forgiveness in advance, as this problem isn't completely Land Rover related. The only reason I came here is because of the wealth of information and wisdom that seems to be present on this board, so perhaps I could get the help I need.

Some background info first:
I purchased a Rover 3500 SD1 with the EFI 3.5 V8 recently, but it was in a damaged state. The seller told me that one of the injector hoses had split, causing a fire in the engine bay. In all honesty, the fire did not seem to be that bad. The damage seems to be contained to hoses, some wiring and the dizzy being buggered. The block itself is fine, as the fire was not long-lasting or intense.

So I bought this as my first car (I'm 20), in the hope of getting it fixed before university starts again soon.

Obviously I ignored everyone else, their "advice" and "common sense"

and purchased something that I probably shouldn't have, especially considering I am a mechanical and electrical novice. The task of fixing it is much bigger than I anticipated. Also, being a poor uni student, I need to get this project done for as little as possible.

So, with all that said, I have a few questions to ask:

Would an EFI-to-carb conversion be a good idea? I'm assuming that by losing the fuel injection, I would not have to worry about fixing a lot of the melted wires. Would going to a carb-ed system eliminate the need for various electrical sensors (that would have possible be damaged in the fire)?
If I do go ahead with the conversion, would you be able to tell me what parts of the car from the EFI system can be discarded with?

I've searched through some the other topics through the forum, but I wasn't able to get the answers I was after.

I apologize for this fairly significant ask, being a newbie and all, but your wisdom would be greatly appreciated!

Thanks in advance.

**BigJon** · 12th January 2010, 02:49 PM

What fuel injection system is it? Flapper or hotwire?

Nish89 · 12th January 2010, 02:59 PM

I've no idea.

I'll post some pics up soon.

**BigJon** · 12th January 2010, 03:02 PM

No worries. I have egine bay wiring for both types (ex Rangie and Disco) that would be useful to ressurect it. I like those SD1s, always wanted one.

**Cap** · 12th January 2010, 03:25 PM

Originally Posted by Nish89

So I bought this as my first car (I'm 20), in the hope of getting it fixed before university starts again soon.

....especially considering I am a mechanical and electrical novice.

Best of luck with it. At least you will learn a mechanical trade as well as Unit

Never hurts to know how to fix stuff yourself...

**PhilipA** · 12th January 2010, 03:26 PM

Being an SDI it would be "Federal" injection with the one piece plenum and flapper.

It depends on what is fire damaged as to the cost of repair.
Is the Flapper damaged? Ie the square box looking thing on a BIG hose on the LH side?

It is pretty simple to rewire the injectors as they are just wired in 2 banks of 4 and the plugs are easy to get. I you scrounge around you should be able to find some injectors . AFAIK they are the same as 3.5 Range Rover.

Why not get a quote from an injection place as you would have to replace all the hoses on the injectors, some injectors maybe and the burnt wiring. If the flapper is not damaged , this should cost a few hundred dollars.

If you fit a carby you will also have to fit a low pressure fuel pump, which costs a bit eg facet , and source a carby and manifold.

However your injection is VERY old now, although I once fitted one to a Range Rover and it worked perfectly, the flapper is probably the key thing
Regards Philip A

**jazzaD1** · 12th January 2010, 03:59 PM

or if you really want to jump in the deep end, install a megasquirt system and remove the air flow meter totally!

its a steep learning curve for a novice, but what you learn is worth it

**Lucus** · 12th January 2010, 04:12 PM

Repair the EFI. There is bulk info on the internet regarding SD1's and the EFI system used.

If you convert it to carby you will make the car unroad worthy as it wont comply with emissions regs for that year of build with carbs on it.

Dont discount finding a cosmetically tragic SD1 with a running engine to pinch the efi and wiring from. Im sure you could pick one up for less than the cost of replacing all the damaged items

Luke

**PhilipA** · 12th January 2010, 04:27 PM

Note that there is a complete fan to flywheel range Rover 3.5 injection engine in the Markets section for $800.

You can replace all the stuff on yours with the stuff from that and sell the long engine.

Some ad hoc wiring would still need to be done
Unless you can convince the seller to include the engine harness and splice it in.
Or maybe someone here will have an old engine harness lying around. however they tend to go hard over time with heat.
Regards Philip A

**Blknight.aus** · 12th January 2010, 06:04 PM

great way to learn to be a mechanic....

rebuilding the EFI system should be cheaper than relaincing the manifold and pumps plus buying a carby airfleter adaptors and all the other bits.

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