I inherited a 1996 Discovery. I have a problem that I can't figure out. The only way to describe it is: If you were a passenger in the vehicle with me you would think I was giving it lots of gas one minute then letting off the gas. It idles fine but acts like it is getting bursts of gas, then no gas. We have replaced the fuel lines and fuel filter, but no change. Any suggestions? The check engine light and service engine light is also on and 2 mechanics said that it does not show them any codes when they hook it to a computer.

 

When does it do this? Under load? Like climbing a hill or taking off from a stop?
When was the last time it had a tune up?
What brand and grade of gas are you using?
How many miles on the truck and how long have you had it?

 

It acts this way after shortly after you begin to drive it, on flat land and on hills.
Last tune up was about a year ago.
Exxon, 89
Mileage is about 133,000
I inherited it three years ago when my brother passed away and am just now putting some time and money into fixing it up. It ran like this when he owned it also.
Thanks for any help you can provide.

 

You need to switch to premium gas and stop using mid grade.
Using the wrong grade of gas can cause excessive carbon build up inside the engine.
I would start with the basics, new plugs and wires.
Use good plug wires, STI or Magnecor plug wires and any spark plug you want.

As for the red "service engine" light that is a emissions reminder, meaning time for new O2 sensors.
That light will NOT throw any codes, you can reset that yourself.
Go to www.discoweb.org and look up the tech section and find the "emissions reminder reset".
As for the amber check engine light, that one will throw a code. If it is on then there is a code.
Take the truck to AutoZone and have them check the code for free, write them down and post them on here.

Also while on Discoweb find the "VSS" link in the tech section and see if that is a close description of what you truck is doing.

This could be any number of things but we will start with the cheap and easy stuff first.

 

Thanks for the help! I will do as you suggested and see what happens! Thanks for your time and expertise!

 

stop putting **** fuel in it. 91 or 93 octane only and like spike said give it some 8mm magnecore wires and some plat plugs...