Land Rover has sputtering engine - what are likely problems?

Question

I have an old Landrover Defender 110, 8 cyl gasoline. When climbing hills or accelerating, the engine sputters & misses. Engine smooths out when cruising on level terrain. Also doesn't have as much power as it should. What are the most likely problems, so I can start diagnosing & ruling things out until I have the bugger humming along again? (I love the old hulking beast)

Answer 1

First check for water in the oil (big problem). If not check the fuel filter (small problem).
Note to the first answerer: I've easily cruised at 130 km/h on the highway with a Defender 110 TDi ( after a four week safari in the African bush).

Answer 2

A car is a car is a car. I do not make it a habit of memorizing all the models from all the cars. Old, how old? Before computers? Years and miles would have told me more. Lots of miles? Cars can have lots of things wrong with them.
Where to start on something I can't see....hmmm. You could have a vacuum leak. on the intake side(whether it be from a cracked rubber hose or leaking base gasket. Get a spray can of BRAKECLEEN and spray that inside on parts of the intake while the engine is running. If the idle speed changes....you got a leak that shouldn't be.
It doesn't have much power as it should. Compared to what? When was the last tuneup? (That also could be the cause of the sputtering). Have you got good fuel in it? Standard? How's the clutch?

Answer 3

Before you go and have your engine rebuilt, I would start with the basiscs. I work in a tune-up and brake shop so i see this a bit. I would start by replacing the spark pulgs, wires. cap and rotor button, PCV (if equipted), fuel filter, doing a fuel injection treatment, throttle body treatment, and intake/vacuum line treatment. By doing all that you're letting the electrical side of it run with little resistance becaue currosion builds up at the connection after a wile, and the mechanical end of it run with little interfeerance, carbon builds up inside the engine and vacuum lines. I would try that first and if it still presists, i would take it back to the garage and have them diagnosis the problem. It could also be something like a bad distributor or weak fuel pump. hope this helps you, cheers

Answer 4

I rebuilt on aold Rover V8 3500.
Sounds to me like a fuel problem- could be carbs, fuel/sediment bowl/ filter or weak pump.
You may also have some water contamination in your fuel.
Replace all your filters, check the pump for good pressure. Empty the sediment bowl and flush it by running the pump.
If it is the carburettors- most likely it's running too rich and occasionally flooding as it runs.
Permanent solution- fuel injection or two pumps in series.

Answer 5

Sounds like a normal Land Rover to me. Maybe you are trying to take it over 40 mph. That is about as fast as I have ever seen one go.

Answer 6

Sounds like a fuel filter

Answer 7

Maybe it's time to rebuild the engine.