Land Rover   ·   1990–1991

Discovery 3.5: Technical specifications

Technical specifications (1990–1991)

The Land Rover Discovery (90-98) 3.5 is the 3.5-litre petrol variant, built from 1990 to 1991. Quick answers and key figures below, then the full workshop tables.

Power107 kW (145 hp)@ 5000 rpm
FuelPetrol
Cylinders8
Oil capacity5,7litres · with the filter

Engine & identification

Vehicle identification

No. of cylinders Type8/OHV
Capacity (Fiscal) cc3528 (3470)
Compression ratio :18,13
Suitable for unleaded petrolYes
Minimum octane rating RON95
Ignition system TypeTSZ-i
Ignition system DescriptionTrans-i
Trigger locationDistributor
Fuel system MakeSU
Fuel system TypeHIF 44
Fuel system DescriptionCarb-VV
Diagnostic socketYes

Ignition system

Ignition coil MakeBosch
Ignition coil Type0 221 122 392
Ignition coil supply voltage + with ballast V11,0
Distributor (ECM) MakeLucas
Distributor (ECM) No.35 DLM8
Contact breaker gap/trigger air gap mm0,20-0,35

Firing order

The firing order for the Land Rover Discovery 3.5 (1990–1991) is 1-8-4-3-6-5-7-2.

Firing order1-8-4-3-6-5-7-2

Valve clearances

Valve clearances on the Land Rover Discovery 3.5 (1990–1991) are hydraulic — they self-adjust, so no manual clearance figure applies.

Valve clearance - INLET mmHydraulic
Valve clearance - EXHAUST mmHydraulic

Engine oil & fluids

Engine oil

The Land Rover Discovery 3.5 (1990–1991) takes 5.7 litres of engine oil with the filter.

A listed engine oil option is SAE 5W-20 for cold climates, with API/ACEA classification SJ/A2.

A listed engine oil option is SAE 10W-40 for moderate climates, with API/ACEA classification SJ/A2.

A listed engine oil option is SAE 15W-40 as an alternative for moderate climates, with API/ACEA classification SJ/A2.

A listed engine oil option is SAE 20W-50 for hot climates, with API/ACEA classification SJ/A2.

Manual gearbox

The manual gearbox has a listed capacity of 2.67 litres. The specified oil is ATF-G.

Coolant

The listed total cooling-system capacity is 11.3 litres.

Grades, filling conditions and capacities

Lubricants and capacities — complete reference
Engine oil options
Ambient temperature range Cold climate
Engine oil grade SAE 5W-20
Engine oil classification API/ACEA SJ/A2
Ambient temperature range Moderate climate
Engine oil grade SAE 10W-40
Engine oil classification API/ACEA SJ/A2
Ambient temperature range Moderate climate alternative
Engine oil grade SAE 15W-40
Engine oil classification API/ACEA SJ/A2
Ambient temperature range Hot climate
Engine oil grade SAE 20W-50
Engine oil classification API/ACEA SJ/A2
Engine with filter(s) litres 5.7
Other lubricants and capacities
Manual transmission oil grade SAE ATF-G
Manual transmission litres 2.67
Differential front/AT litres 1.7
Differential oil grade - rear SAE 90W
Differential rear litres 2.3
Cooling system - total capacity litres 11.3
Brake fluid Type DOT 4
Power steering fluid Type Dexron II
Power steering fluid litres 3.4

Brakes & wear limits

Brake disc thickness

Brake discs on the Land Rover Discovery 3.5 (1990–1991) are replaced at a minimum thickness of 12 mm (solid) front and 11,7 mm rear.

Minimum disc thickness for replacement - solid Front12 mm
Minimum disc thickness for replacement Rear11,7 mm
Maximum drum diameter for replacement Rear255,5 mm

Brake disc and drum dimensions

Minimum pad thickness Front2 mm
Minimum pad thickness Rear2 mm
Minimum shoe thickness Rear2 mm
Parking brake travel No. of notches3-4

Bar lengths use a square-root scale so small and large values stay readable.

Service & electrical

Ignition timing

Basic ignition timing for the Land Rover Discovery 3.5 (1990–1991) is 6°±1° BTDC at 750 rpm.

Ignition timingWithout vacuum
Ignition timing - basic BTDC °Engine/rpm6±1/750

Battery

The Land Rover Discovery 3.5 (1990–1991) uses a 12 V, 50 Ah battery (reserve capacity 70 minutes).

Battery V/RC(Ah)12/70 (50)

Spark plugs

The Land Rover Discovery 3.5 (1990–1991) uses Champion RN9YC spark plugs with a 0,6 mm electrode gap.

Spark plugs Original equipmentChampion
Spark plug TypeRN9YC
Electrode gap mm0,6
Spark plugs MakeAutolite
Spark plug TypeAPP63
Electrode gap mm0,8
Spark plugs Makeberu
Spark plug Type14R-7DU
Electrode gap mm0,8
Spark plugs MakeBosch
Spark plug TypeWR7DC
Electrode gap mm0,8
Spark plugs MakeChampion
Spark plug TypeRN9YC
Electrode gap mm0,6
Spark plugs MakeNGK
Spark plug TypeBP6E-VG
Electrode gap mm0,8

Tuning and emissions

Ignition advanceWithout vacuum and basic timing
Ignition advance checks °Engine/rpm0-3/1000
Ignition advance checks °Engine/rpm13-21/2400
Ignition advance checks °Engine/rpm22-28/3600
Idle speed rpm700±50
Fast idle speed - MT/AT rpm1100±50
Oil temperature °C70
CO level at idle speed - tailpipe Vol. % CO1,0-2,0
HC level at idle speed ppm300
CO2 level at idle speed Vol. % CO213-16
O2 level at idle speed Vol. % O20,5-2,0

Starting and charging

Starter motor MakeMarelli
Starter motor TypeM78R
Maximum cranking amps A135-165
Alternator MakeMarelli
Alternator TypeA127-65
Alternator output A/V/rpm65/14,2/6000
Voltage regulator Type21TR
Regulated voltage V13,6-14,4

Service checks and adjustments

Oil pressure bar/rpm1,93/2000
Radiator cap bar1,00
Thermostat opens °C82
Drive belt tension - alternator/PAS/AC mm4-6

Tightening torques

Cylinder head bolt torque

The cylinder head bolts on the Land Rover Discovery 3.5 (1990–1991) are tightened in 3 stages: 40-50 Nm, then 60-70 Nm, then a final 88-95 Nm.

Cylinder head
Renew boltsNo
Tighten40-50 Nm
Tighten60-70 Nm
Tighten88-95 Nm
Cylinder head instructions
Other engine tightening torques
Main bearings Renew bolts/nutsNo
Main bearings Stage 1
Main bearings
Big end bearings Renew bolts/nutsNo
Big end bearings Stage 127 Nm
Big end bearings Stage 247-54 Nm
Oil pump to cylinder block15 Nm
Sump bolts10 Nm
Sump bolts
Sump drain bolt45 Nm
Flywheel/driveplate74-81 Nm
Clutch pressure plate24-30 Nm
Crankshaft pulley/damper centre bolt257-285 Nm
Camshaft sprocket/gear54-61 Nm
Camshaft/rocker cover7 Nm
Inlet manifold to cylinder head50 Nm
Exhaust manifold to cylinder head20 Nm
Spark plugs19-21 Nm
Chassis tightening torques
Steering track rod end40 Nm
Brake caliper/carrier to hub Front82 Nm
Brake caliper/carrier to hub Rear82 Nm
Road wheels130 Nm

Bar lengths use a square-root scale so small and large values stay readable.

Air conditioning

Air conditioning refrigerant TypeR12
Air conditioning refrigerant quantity grams
Refrigerant quantity
Air conditioning oil TypeSuniso 4GS
Air conditioning oil quantity cm³135±15

Frequently asked questions

What is the firing order of the Land Rover Discovery 3.5?

The firing order for the Land Rover Discovery 3.5 (1990–1991) is 1-8-4-3-6-5-7-2.

What spark plugs does the Land Rover Discovery 3.5 use?

The Land Rover Discovery 3.5 (1990–1991) uses Champion RN9YC spark plugs with a 0,6 mm electrode gap.

How much oil does the Land Rover Discovery 3.5 take?

The Land Rover Discovery 3.5 (1990–1991) takes 5.7 litres of engine oil with the filter. A listed engine oil option is SAE 5W-20 for cold climates, with API/ACEA classification SJ/A2. A listed engine oil option is SAE 10W-40 for moderate climates, with API/ACEA classification SJ/A2. A listed engine oil option is SAE 15W-40 as an alternative for moderate climates, with API/ACEA classification SJ/A2. A listed engine oil option is SAE 20W-50 for hot climates, with API/ACEA classification SJ/A2.

What are the valve clearances for the Land Rover Discovery 3.5?

Valve clearances on the Land Rover Discovery 3.5 (1990–1991) are hydraulic — they self-adjust, so no manual clearance figure applies.

What is the cylinder head torque for the Land Rover Discovery 3.5?

The cylinder head bolts on the Land Rover Discovery 3.5 (1990–1991) are tightened in 3 stages: 40-50 Nm, then 60-70 Nm, then a final 88-95 Nm.

What is the ignition timing for the Land Rover Discovery 3.5?

Basic ignition timing for the Land Rover Discovery 3.5 (1990–1991) is 6°±1° BTDC at 750 rpm.