My cooling problem was fixed, thanks to the suggestions found here in this forum. Now, all the little things are stacking up and I'm sure that something bad will be happening pretty soon. What optimism!!

I posted a problem with my RPM's jumping around but I didn't get much help. The problem only seems to occur after my truck (96 Disco SE7) has been on the road for a good while. Don't know if the heat is involved. A service writer friend of mine who took a trip with me said it felt alot like a computer problem. The surge felt like an electrical switch turning on and off. He seems right, but I have no idea where to proceed.

After the engine has warmed up to op temp, I get a good 'klunk' from the gear box when I engage Reverse. Normal? V8's aren't always smooth, so...

Here's something I've never heard before: Starting from a cold start, I'll begin driving and the engine is really loud! Almost like a diesel! Sounds like a fan blowing really hard. But after just a few moments is gently goes away. Really weird. And it doesn't always do it. Just at random moments.

Finally: I've got missing vacuum tubes. Where can I get a some information about where the vac tubes should go?

Shew. I annoy myself with this stuff! Sorry for novel, but thanks for all your help!

 

Send me your tele number and a good time to call and we can talk about all you questions.
Mike
mikeljacobs@comcast.net

 

The missing vacuum tubes are probably related to the engine surging. The loudness of the engine upon initial take off is normal and so is the clunk when you puit it in reverse. I have the same sounds. How many miles do you have?

 

I'm just shy of 140,000.
You know, an A&P Mechanic (aircraft mech) explored the possibility of the vac tubes contributing to the engine surge. But therythmic switching just doesn't seem likely to be caused by a vacuum. Besides, it only does it after the engine has been running for sometime. Nevertheless, I will be looking to fix the tubes and so, who knows, maybe that is the prob.

Disco Mike, I'll send you my number soon. I'd love to discuss some of this stuff, and if it's alright with you, I'd like to post some of your suggestions here on the forum.

 

Just out of curiosity, does the surging take place when the A/c comp goes off.? Try driving it without the a/c on and see if it changes any. Can you post a pic of where your lines are missing? we might be able to help from that.

I also have the whooshing sound. If it starts to get worse, or doesn't go away, change the viscous unit in your fan clutch. Also, keep tabs on your clunk. If it starts getting worse, you may have to do something. But, mine clunks too.

 

Don't rule out an issue with your starter. I recently had very similar problems with a late 90's 4Runner and it turned out to be a dead starter. The car would start somewhat weakly and then the engine would make awful noises like a bad diesel sound. While on the highway the tach would do some crazy stuff and some of the dash lights came on for no reason. All was fixed witha new starter.

I have no idea if this will help you or not, but you can take a quick look at your starter's wiring for connection quality.

 

Has anyone considered the Idle Air Control valve aka stepper motor? I had the same problem on the 96 SE7 I had and it took care of the problem. The other stuff does seem normal. For a Land Rover at least

 

I was thinkin the same thing.

 

The surging occurs with the AC both on and off. If I'm going slow (45-60mph) the engine will stumble back about 800 to 1000 RPMs and then surge back to normal after less than second. It will repeat this with perfect timing over and over. If I stop and turn everything off, and then start again, it won't repeat. Twice I've actually jammed the gas to the floor. (I was thinking maybe it was a fuel problem.) Again, it eventually quit.
At higher speeds (65-80mph)the surge is less noticable. It will only change about 300 to 500 RPMs. On a recent trip to Atlanta from Augusta GA (with said service writer riding along) the serging would begin and end at random moments. I never lost much momentum and my speed only slowed because I was trying to be cautious.
It really does feel like something electrical turning on and off. I'm not an electrician - hell, I'm hardly a mechanic - so I don't know what to do. Mostly I just ride my truck to and from work and so it doesn't act up. But when I do begin putting it on the road (long distance relationship just getting started...) I don't want to get stranded.
Any help would be a great... uh... help. Thanks!

 

It really really does sound like the stepper motor.