Engine & fuel system
2 documented faults — symptoms, causes and workshop fixes.
Poor starting
Poor connections inside the engine bay fuse box.
Overview
- Affects
- Range Rover Classic: All models with V8/300Tdi engines.
Symptoms
Alternator warning lamp on. Delayed tachometer operation. Erratic ignition.
Repair steps
- Remove engine bay fuse box inner and outer cover.
- Check battery positive lead screw and alternator output lead screwfor tightness.
- Refit fuse box covers.
Data: Motorwise Workshop. Bulletin 3.
Engine misfire
Poor contact between two halves of data link connector (DLC). Fix: clean and lubricate.
Overview
- Affects
- All models.
- Remedy
- Clean & lubricate
Symptoms
Engine stalls.
Repair steps
- Inspect DLC terminals.
- Adjust female pins to original shape.
- Connect and disconnect plug 3 or 4 times.
- Clean terminals with electrical contact spray.
- Reconnect DLC.
- Lock the two halves of the DLC with a cable tie.
Data: Motorwise Workshop. Bulletin 4.
Other
2 documented faults — symptoms, causes and workshop fixes.
Alloy wheels difficult to remove
Overview
- Affects
- All models with alloy wheels, →03/01.
- Remedy
- Clean & lubricate
- Parts
- 1 part
Cause
Corrosion between hub spigot and wheel centre.
Repair
- Clean corrosion from wheel contact surfaces.
- Apply anti-seize grease to wheel contact surfaces.
Parts1 part
| Part | Part number | Qty |
|---|---|---|
| Anti-seize grease | RYL105020L | 1 |
Data: Motorwise Workshop. Bulletin 1.
Unreliable spark plug operation
Poor reliability of spark plugs.
Overview
- Affects
- All models.
Symptoms
Short spark plug service life.
Repair steps
- Fit RN11YCC spark plugs.
- Replace spark plugs at 40.000 kilometre service intervals.
- Replace spark plugs at 24.000 mile service intervals.
Parts
| Part | Part number | Qty |
|---|---|---|
| Spark plug - RN11YCC | ERR 3799 | 8 |
Data: Motorwise Workshop. Bulletin 2.
Glossary
Technical terms used in this guide.
- DLC
- Data link connector — the diagnostic socket a scan tool plugs into
- Anti-Seize
- Grease that stops mating parts (like a wheel on a hub) from corroding together
- Hub Spigot
- The raised centre of the hub that locates the wheel
- Alternator
- The unit that charges the battery while the engine is running
Frequently asked questions
What are the common faults with the Land Rover Range Rover Classic 3.9?
This guide contains four workshop bulletins for the Land Rover Range Rover Classic 3.9. Of these, two concern the engine and fuel system. Symptoms, causes, repair steps and part numbers are shown where supplied.
Does every Land Rover Range Rover Classic 3.9 have these faults?
No. These are patterns documented across the model by workshops, not predictions for an individual vehicle. Where a fault applies only to certain vehicles or VIN ranges, that is listed with the fault.
Can I check for Land Rover Range Rover Classic 3.9 faults myself?
Many of them. The documented symptoms can be seen, heard or felt during a test drive.