A
axlesnap
Guest
sorry, this may have been hit a ton, I have been out of the rover game for some time, planning on buying a disco1 and the eariler models have the 3.9 and latter 4.0, what engine do you guys prefer as a whole?
I had a 94 DI with a 3.9. It went 345 thousand miles and was still running well, when it was totaled. No replacements of anything except the water pump.
My 96 4.Slow has 278,000 on it. Had head-gaskets, valve job and water pump done at 119k. Nothing since other than clean the maf a couple of times, spark plugs, oil changes, normal maintenance and oil pressure sender replaced due to leak.
Not to say a 3.9 wouldn't do the same.
Not to say a 3.9 wouldn't do the same.
rover4x4 said:
I know someone with a 94 LWB that has 280000+ and its never been cracked open, water pump, alternator,trans and a starter in its life. The guy drives it like he stole it and it has gone back and forth to kentucky its whole life some trips pulling a horse trailer.
there are some good ones out there for sure.
My 1990 Rangie went for 148,000 with no problems on the 3.9. When I sold it there was not even any oil leaking (and not because the sump was empty). I had a good experience with that motor in that truck.
My current Disco has a tiny bit more get up & go with the GEMS 4.0, but that's kind of like saying my turtle can outrun your glacier. At 122,000 miles so far so good. Small oil drips, no problems otherwise.
I think the difference between the motors is negligible. If you are buying a Rover of that age the really important thing is how well the previous owners cared for it. Rather than asking "3.9 or 4.0?" you should be asking "what is the service history of this Rover I'm thinking of buying?" If you find a seller who has kept all the service records that is a good (but rare) sign.
My current Disco has a tiny bit more get up & go with the GEMS 4.0, but that's kind of like saying my turtle can outrun your glacier. At 122,000 miles so far so good. Small oil drips, no problems otherwise.
I think the difference between the motors is negligible. If you are buying a Rover of that age the really important thing is how well the previous owners cared for it. Rather than asking "3.9 or 4.0?" you should be asking "what is the service history of this Rover I'm thinking of buying?" If you find a seller who has kept all the service records that is a good (but rare) sign.
4.0 has a better ems in my opinion. i wish my 4.6 had a GEMS around it.
That said, the 3.9 Lucas gives you some leeway with customizing - all kinds of distributors, ECU's, and everything you can do cam/head/timing gear wise on a 4.0 you can do with a 3.9....
That said, the 3.9 Lucas gives you some leeway with customizing - all kinds of distributors, ECU's, and everything you can do cam/head/timing gear wise on a 4.0 you can do with a 3.9....
There a few great ones in any configuration. But if I had a choice between the two, I would choose the 4.0. Not only quicker but no more dizzy/timing issues!
John, your avatar just reminded me that I've promised to run Pinyon Mountain this weeked...RoverDude said:
Doesn't 4.0 have 4-bolt mains?
ptschram
Well-known member
I don't think the 3.9's are OBDII compatible if I remember correctly. Don't they have their own little system? Just a convenience thing...
I'm just going to throw this out here but from what I've seen I feel like the 4.0 GEMS has better longevity than the 4.0 Bosch, at least the early years. I see tons of 99 DII's needing new heads/engines (maybe its because they're just older). I know typically the Bosch is favored over the GEMS in P38's... but it proportionally speaking it seems GEMS don't blow quite so easily.
I'm just going to throw this out here but from what I've seen I feel like the 4.0 GEMS has better longevity than the 4.0 Bosch, at least the early years. I see tons of 99 DII's needing new heads/engines (maybe its because they're just older). I know typically the Bosch is favored over the GEMS in P38's... but it proportionally speaking it seems GEMS don't blow quite so easily.
EJB90 said:
Theyre not, they have the 14CUX system which has its own reader under the passenger seat (which sounds great but the codes can be a bit vague ie; 44/45).
there are more differences between 94/95 and 96-99
- If you buy a 94/95 odds are the TC input isn't cross-drilled, which isnt too big a deal with the ZF (i believe you can just pop out the gear) but a worn r380 can be a headache.
- seats are pretty different
- swivels may or may not have drains
- AEL vs. super? AEL (i dont remember the acronym)
- 94/95 ECUs are in the cabin w/ just a fusebox under the hood (and the maf/dizzy), i believe theres more stuff in the GEMS eng bay in later years
- 2 O2s vs. 4 O2s
EJB90 said:
does the Bosch P38 have an oil cooler?
iirc the 03/04 DII doesn't
I've got 195K on my '99 4.0 and all I've changed are the fluids, plugs, wires, and a belt. It won't be too much longer and it will need more work as I have a rear main seal leak now, and figure I might as well tear it completely down and rebuild it as time allows. It's been a great runner and I drive it hard everyday.
96 D1 with 204kmi - one head gasket replacement (as preventative maintenance), three sets of spark plugs and two sets of wires in this engine's life.
Drove 210 miles today, including 20 in low range, and going twice from sea level to 4kft to sea level. The gas gauge above half-tank (meaning half tank actually). I don't see why would it not run for another 100kmi or so.
Drove 210 miles today, including 20 in low range, and going twice from sea level to 4kft to sea level. The gas gauge above half-tank (meaning half tank actually). I don't see why would it not run for another 100kmi or so.