4WD Wanted

Rangie

I have a 1997 Range Rover 2.5 DSE [turbo diesel] and I am having problems as follows. When the engine is hot and the fuel filter is also hot at appears that air is getting into the system and staving the engine of fuel. On slowing down at lights etc the engine stalls and takes about 30 seconds of winding over before it starts and then it wont pick up for several seconds after starting. (Just like its running out of fuel). I have replaced the filters several times although it improves a little it is only for a short time, I have bought a one way pump valve from a non dealer land rover agent but that seems to be primative. I have tried to contact dealers for assistance but all of them want the car for "diagnostics" which we all know is another way of saying bring your dosh. I have been told that it can be the filter housing that is cracked and when its hot it expands and opens the crack. - Mike Dempsey

[We don't get the diesels in Australia, but may be some readers in other lands can help Mike?]

Snorkel

I am the proud owner of a Mitsubishi Triton 2.8 diesel, 1998 model and I am planning a trip to drive from Victoria to Fraser Island and back. As I will be spending some time on Fraser, and doing some four wheel driving along the way I was wondering if anyone can tell me if it is worth fitting a snorkel to my naturally aspirated 2.8. Opinion is divided amongst the boys here in Tassie; some say it helped their economy and others say it didn't. As I do a lot of dirt road driving back home I thought it might be of some use. I have heard been told by some owners of 2.8 Hiluxes with snorkels that all they do is make it noisier in the cab - Scott Jackson

[The main reason to fit a snorkel is to keep water (esp' damaging for diesels) out of the engine intake on deep water crossings. They can also reduce the amount of dust drawn in on dirt roads. Have not heard about improved fuel economy, and am sceptical. Can't see why a snorkel should increase engine noise.]

Simpson Desert, Aug' - Sept'

Anyone interested in doing a trip across the Simpson Desert is welcome to join me [Brian] later this year. I will be leaving Birdsville on Monday 27th August 2001 for a trek from east to west. You must be self-sufficient and have a reliable vehicle. - Brian McTaggart [7/'01]

Maverick

[In Australia, the Ford Maverick was a badge-engineered Nissan Patrol (i.e. same vehicle). However in the UK, the Maverick name has been applied to at least (a) a badge engineered Nissan Terrano II, and recently (b) the Ford Escape (a Mazda Tribute cousin).]

Jeep Tools?

Recently I was poking around an old antique shop and there was an old shovel marked Bantam 2 (stamped in the metal on shovel end). Is this one of the tools that came with the BRC's or just some other company's name? - Ken

[I think the "pioneer" tools you see on GPWs and MB's were an Army spec' after Bantam was out of the picture... it was a fairly common name in those days, but you never know - Bill Spear.]

Nissan Head

I'm looking for the cylinder head for a TU42 engine (diesel) for a Nissan Patrol (1990). Does anyone know where I can find one in the US? - Teo S

Cold Feet

Toyota Landcruiser 80 Series: Has anyone else had a problem with a leak on the passenger side? When it rains, I get wet carpet at the passenger's feet. My mechanic has tried to find the leak but has not been successful. Is this a known problem?
- Paul

Shakes

I just bought a used Disco' 1995 with 48000 miles (auto trans) and there is a vibration felt in steering wheel mostly evident between 30 and 50 mph. Tires are balanced and front end aligned and a local sage said it's prob. in drive train. What might it be, a U joint? Gdoerner196

[It could be a universal joint although there have been vibrations from things as simple as excess grease sitting off-centre in the rubber boot over the slip-joint on the front prop' shaft. But the prime suspects are still the tyres and wheels. A "balanced" tyre may turn out to be not quite circular. Also make sure the balancer mounts the wheel on the wheel studs not the centre hole.]

Tow Job

I must be desperate. I'm contacting the other side of the world to try to find out where I can get a tow hitch for a 1987 Land Cruiser hardtop, 3.4l diesel, 24 volt model BJ 70.
- David Cameron, Ontario, Canada.

[I'm sure one of the companies in [4WD Links] can fix you up.]

Jeep Brakes

Jeep brake parts wanted for a [Jeep Restoration...]
- Mariano Nano

Tow Job

I have recently purchased a large boat (21') and my small Toyota 2.4 Litre diesel hilux has trouble towing it, especially up hills. Could you advise me of which of the follwing cars would be best to tow my boat: Toyota 4Runner 3-litre turbo diesel claiming 85Kw at 3600r and 295 torque at 2000r, or Landrover Defender 3.9-litre turbo diesel 90Kw at 3,200 RPM and 314 at 2,200. I suppose the term "best" that I have used refers to power
- regards, Ken Lane

[First, if you can find a 3.9 turbo Defender I think lots of people will want to buy one - the current Td5 is a 2.5-litre turbo' (90 at 4200r, 300 at 1950r); there are some old Isuzu 3.9 diesels, but almost all are non-turbo, except for a few army ones (and maybe some private conversions?). There's very little difference on those figures; the Defender is a bit more flexible. You should probably choose on price and other factors.]

Hard of Hearing

I currently drive a DX 100 Series Landcruiser that's stock standard and would like to find out if there are any ways to reduce the amount of engine noise from entering the cabin.
- Alan Dye

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