Things have slowed down considerably recently, which is a real shame because it feels like we’re very close to finishing. Of course we’re always likely to say that and then discover another problem but that is the joy of looking after a big Land Rover I guess.

Bob and I had a fairly frustrating time of it last week, but we did at least further our knowledge of fuel systems. As I understand it, we need to double check the injectors, then try to bleed the fuel system of the air and see if that solves the starting problem. (Following that, it will be necessary to drain the fuel, refill with fuel and do the whole bleeding thing again. Or maybe we should do that first.)

The point is, there is some work to be done, but possibly not a lot. When will people be able to give a bit of time to Big Car?

…but have nothing to show for it. On Thursday and Friday of last week Matt and I tried to bleed all of the air out of Big Car’s fuel system (in the rain). On Big Car’s fuel lift pump, there is a little hand pump lever especially for this job. Needless to say, the blisters on our hands will attest that we did a lot of hand pumping over those two days. Just when we thought we knew what we were doing on the first day, we snapped the bleed valve off the fuel injector pump. The cool looking diesel fountain that resulting offered no consolation and we set to work removing the fuel injector pump. Fifty quid later, the Bosch specialists on Empress Road had this fixed for us and we put it back on Big Car. After lots and lots of hand pumping with little movement of fuel, the thought that Big Car’s diesel tank maybe empty dawned upon us. A quick check of the fuel gauge confirmed this and we felt very stupid, worn out, blistered, wet and poorer – that’s when we gave up for the day. We’ll have another go at this sometime soon – hopefully the experience gained from these two days will make things run a little smoother next time.

Big Car has been sadly neglected in recent times – not out of maliciousness – but simply due to her loving owners either a) being exceptionally busy, b) getting a bit stuck or c) living miles away. However, it’s time to inject some love, so this Thursday we’re getting back on course. First thing we’ll be looking at are Bob’s suggestions.

So if anyone is around or could be around in Southampton for a day or two, that would be great!

Hello all,

I think our next priority for Big Car should be to get her to start without the need to squirt Easy Start in to her air inlet. Here’s some suggestions from page 125 of section 12 of this manual (click on it to zoom in):

Big Car definitely suffers from number 4 in the list above: air in the fuel system. I think this is the first thing we should try to fix. The same manual describes how to prime the diesel fuel system on page 34 of section 19. Also, here’s some more information about priming the fuel system from a thread on the LandyZone.co.uk forums.

When we find some spare time, Al and I will give this procedure a go and report back with news of our success or failure.

Take care all, Bob.

Tidy’s finally got off his arse and given me the photos we took when a whole bunch of us paid Big Car a visit. You can read about that visit in this post. Here’s the best of the photos:

The others can be found on Flickr.
Take care all, Bob.

Al and I head over to Mel’s house yesterday to get Big Car waterproof and secure. We cleaned B&Q out of 6mm bolts and got Big Car’s roof properly attached. We also fixed the lock on the driver’s side door, making Big Car fully lockable. Even if she doesn’t go anywhere, at least Big Car can now function as a shed!

Here’s a picture of Al enjoying our handywork…

Take care all, Bob.

Now that we’re no longer paying for the garages, it would be an idea to try to figure out exactly how much the rest of the project is going to cost… eg MOT, tax, registration, insurance etc… (plus the fact that Big Car isn’t actually fully fixed and still needs some work and bits).

The garages were the only on-going cost so we might get closer to an idea of the total cost so we can scrounge some more…

(All donations gratefully accepted…)

Shaun’s finished fixing the electrics on Big Car, so yesterday (in the pouring rain) we moved her to Mel’s house, where we’ll be able to work on her at a relaxed pace.

Click on (more…) to see some videos of the move.

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I’ve finally been able to upload the videos of Big Car’s big move from her garages to Shaun’s new house which took place last weekend, as described in this post. Here’s the first video…

Click on (more…) to see three more videos from that day.

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Yesterday, Mel and I took all the junk to the tip and returned the garage keys to the council – they were kind and let us off a week’s rent!

This morning, Shaun and I did some more on Big Car. Whilst he carried on with the electrics, I got the driver’s and passenger’s doors reattached, as well as the transmission tunnel. Shaun and I also played around with the dash and are beginning to understand how it all goes back together.

Here’s a picture of Big Car as she looks now…

She’s looking nearly finished – if only it were true!

Take care all, Bob.