I was given a 93 V8 range rover that doesnt start. It turns over, has spark, and fuel. The compression in the cylinders is on average 120 psi. One cylinder is at 60. Is this too low? Another thing is the heads are each missing 4 bolts. The mechanic who worked on it said there was a recall in head gaskets, and the new one didnt need the 4 head bolts to be installed. Does anyone know about this recall, and is it true about the bolts? I also checked some of the electrical stuff, and one wierd thing is that the voltage between the negative battery terminal and the disconnected negative black cable. Thats not right is it? I must have a short to ground somewhere? But it still gets spark and gas. Any help with this thing (suggestions/advice) would be greatly appreciated. Thanks

 

Thats odd, if it has fuel and spark it should fire right up. Try resetting the battery and checking for blown fuses. If everything checks out, it may be the crank sensor. Sounds like the mechanic doesn't know what he is talking about. I would install the missing bolts for the sake of it even if they are or are not required (even though I highly doubt they are not). When doing a compression test, you want to make sure the cylinders are reading pressures that are very similar. The fact that the one cylinder is reading only 60 psi leads me to believe there is a head gasket failure or the cylinder sleeve has slipped.

 

Ok, Ill add the other head bolts... But what do you mean by resetting the battery and checking the fuses? I mean, there should not be a voltage reading between the negative cable and negative battery terminal, right? Also, the mechanic told me that there is no crank sensor on this car (93 Range Rover V8), and i tried looking for it but couldnt find it, is that true? Thanks for any help with this puzzle!

 

I would think it would be normal to get some voltage between the neg post and the neg cable. If I am not mistaken, I believe a test light between the neg post and the neg cable is how you check for an amperage draw. Sounds like the vehicle has a blown head gasket. I would start with repairing that and then get into the electrical issues as I am sure there will be at least one or two.

 

Blown head gasket is almost for sure on that compression test, or a slipped sleeve, hopefully not though. I did not think there was a crank sensor on the classics but, I figured it would be worth a shot. You might try replacing the spark plugs.

 

Well the engine did blow a head gasket, but the last mechanic has changed it already. Thats why the new gasket is wierd. I guess the dealer told him that the new head gaskets dont fit exactly and that 4 bolts in each head (lower row) arent necessary. Im thinking thats causing my low compression readings. What do you guys think? Is 120 psi to low to keep it from starting? I was going to try to get some codes off it with an OBD I computer, but are these any different from the diagnostic display under the passenger seat? If not, then does anyone know where the OBD Link is on it? Thanks for any thoughts / suggestions, im running out of ideas to get this beast running!

 

Not sure where the obd port is on the classic. Mine is on the right side under the foot well on the center console. 120psi is a bit low but, if it is consistent on EVERY cylinder then there should not be a problem. If one is reading 60psi then it is time to replace them again as it was not done properly. The head gaskets should fit perfectly you have the same gaskets that even mine have and chances are the dealership does not have gaskets for the classics or P38a anymore. Get used to using this site as it will have all or most of the parts you need: http://www.roverparts.com/Parts/STC4082E.cfm

 

ur getting weird pressure readings in between cylinders, that indicates a leak, I think the guy who did it made a head gasket fit. my guess would be to get the right head gasket because they have them and replace it with all the bolts. then check your timing and see if it gets better.