96 Disco with 140K. Lately it's been giving me fits when I try to start it. It usually takes about 3 to 5 turns of the key before it will eventually fire up. Now, it refuses to start at all. Checked and charged the battery; it's fine. Checked the Schrader valve above fuel rail and it spits fuel. Sprayed carb cleaner into throttle body; no dice. Put key into 2 position and waited a few seconds, repeat and then attempted to start- nothing still. She just turns over and over but won't start. No CEL on the dash and I use premium fuel only. That's really all I know to try at the present. Fuel filter? Pump? Any and all help is appreciated.

 

Check for spark, pull a spark plug and have a friend crank the engine over and watch for spark.

 

fuel pump

 

I would lean towards the fuel pump, unless you actually have 30 pounds plus pressure at the rail.
When did you last change your fuel filter?
As Spike said, check for a spark.

 

Checking for spark as soon as I get back to the house. I'm embarrassed to say the fuel filter is probably WAYYYY overdue. Any methods for checking the fuel pump? Let you guys know about the spark thing.

 

The only real way to check for fuel PSI is to use a fuel PSI gauge at the fuel rail.
BUT, as a general rule of thumb if you press the schrader valve and fuel swuirts you in the eye you have good fuel PSI, if it dribbles like a old man trying to pee then you dont have enough fuel PSI.
But a fuel PSI gauge is the only way to know for 100%.

 

My stepper motor caused this. can you hear the fuel pump running at all? with the ignition on?

 

Checked for spark and it seems fine. Peeled back rear carpet to get to the fuel pump access panel and discovered a severe rust problem. The padding underneath the carpet was soaked and all of the screws on the panel were rusted out and flaky. In the process of using screw extractor to pull em out so I can see if the pump is running. I will say that the fuel coming from the valve next to the fuel rail is all but trickling out. Is this a sign of a failing fuel pump? As soon as I extract these stubborn screws I'll check back in.

BTW, any solutions on preventing the water leaks? I can't really tell where the moisture is coming from exactly. The rubber seals around the rear door seem fine but there is a bit of rust around the area where the back door jamb meets the drip rails.

 

If the fuel filter is clogged it will prevent fuel from reaching the engine.

As for the water, check your Alpine windows for leaks as well as your roof rails, where they mount to the roof the seals and fail and then rain gets into the truck.
In the UK it is common to replace the rusted out floor on a Disco.

 

Just finished replacing sparkplugs and wires about 2 weeks ago and Disco was running fime. I did say WAS. Last night it died on me like an old man in front of miss USA with out Viagra. It crank but no start. Is there a way to check if gas pump is not working? BTW, DEEPBLUEWATER, thanks for your last posting on replacing wires, very helpfull and ilustrative. got them done is approximate 1 hour.