Crank no start

LUCASAC

MEMBER
1995 LAND ROVER DEFENDER
3.9L
V8
4WD
MANUAL
90,000 MILES

Vehicle was sitting for a couple of months with battery disconnected. Vehicle cranks but will not start. Battery has been charged and still will crank but no start. Replaced distributor cap roter as this has been issue in past. Still same problem. Sprayed starter fluid in manifold and car started but then stopped. I hear the fuel pump activate when ignition is activated but the particular year does not have an schrader valve to check fuel pressure at rail. So seems like there is spark, all fuses are fine. Should I keep investigating fuel delivery (stale gas, not enough fuel pressure, fuel injector clog, etc)?

1 Reply

BMDOUBLE

MECHANIC
1,139 POSTS

My first step would be to access the fuel filter at the right rear wheel arch and get a fuel sample and see if it will light, if it does then check the fuel pressure with a gauge as indicated in the test that I have attached. Modern fuel tends to go bad rather quickly and can ruin fuel pumps by way of rusting fuel tanks and the fuel pump body itself, also clogging the fuel pump sock with rust. I would also be sure to retrieve the fuel sample in a clear container so you can see how dirty it actually is.

Image (Click to make bigger)