Land Rover Repair: new problem, rubber hoses, air mixture

Question
Hi john-------------------------
Thanks for getting back to me again so quickly. I dont think it is the starter as the noise is coming from the top of the engine, it sounds more instumental than mechanical like a saxophone playing a really high note a fluctuating reed, mechanical flap or the same as when you pull a piece of grass between your thumbs and blowing between them.  The alternator is Brand new so it wont be that as it did it before and after.  The noise sounds like its coming from the area around the air mixture box between the air filter and inlet maifold but it is not that as when you put your ear to it you can tell its coming from nearer to the right rocker cover as you look at the front of the car.  A little confusing I know, But any help appreciated.

Thanks Again
Craig
Followup To
Question -
Hi again John

The cruise control is now working perfectly although, a tip on how to secure the vacuum pump back to its rubber mounts without loosing all the skin on your knuckles would be appreciated! LOL.  All the rubber hoses were torn and have now been fixed or replaced.

A new question for you;  when the car is cold or restarted an awful shrill squeeling noise is heard from the engine,  It sounds like its coming from the inlet side but I do n't know for sure, any light you could shed on it would be appreciated.  It does go after 2 or 3 mins of starting.

Thanks in advance for your time again John.

Ps to save you reading down it runs on LPG. 1996 3.9 V8i Disco.

Craig
Followup To
Question -
Hi John.

I have just bought a Disco, My first one.  Everything works fine except the Cruise Control.  The red light illuminates on the master dash board switch but, when I pull on the set and res buttons I get a click which sounds like a relay, coming from behind the glove box area, However, the cruise control is not working, the car just slows down when I release the Accelerator.  Also its an Auto and the Gear lever gets very warm, is this perfectly normal or is something working harder than it should be? no warning lights are on.

Please help and thanks for your time.

Craig Apted

PS it runs on LPG
Answer -
Hi Craig,

having problems with the cruise control is not unusual with series I Disco's.  Usually its either a vacuum problem (leak or the pump) or the main switch is faulty.  My guess is that you have a vacuum leak.  Most local garages can determine this for you at a reasonable price.

As for the gear lever heat, perhaps you should consider changing the automatic transmission fluid.  In fact, just to be safe, replace the transfer gearbox fluid as well.  If you can, use synthetic gear oil for the transfer gearbox.  My suspicion is that the fluid is old and not able to cool down the components.

If you find that new fluid does not help reduce the heat, have your intercooler and radiator checked.  The ATF passes thru the front radiator where it is cooled down.  IF the front rad is not doing its job, you could have hot fluid circulating.  There are sensors that detect the temps but perhaps the upper limit has not been reached.

I have a 5 speed manual system so I don't share this problem, however, other owners have complained of heat on the floor and center console.  The floor heat is solved by checking the exhaust heat deflector, they have been known to come loose and fall off.

Best of luck with your 'new' Disco,

JohnMc
Answer -
Hi Craig,

ahhh, how to avoid knuckle burners.  The best teacher is experience.  I've not worked on my vacpump but I do have a tip on changing the alt, starter, transfer gearbox or the steering pump (all knuckle burners!).

Is the shrill noise coming from the starter?  Could it be a bearing in some pulley - like the alternator?

Let me know asap,

JohnMc

Answer
Hi Craig,

could it be around the power steering pump?  IF its under the rocker cover, it could be a valve problem.  IF its compression problems, a good general mechanic can do a pressure check to see if a gasket is blown.

I did some looking around and found an owner who reported that he had a high pitched noise caused by a split hose coming off the turbo intercooler.  You'll have to check all the hoses for cracks or punctures to be sure.

Best of luck,

JohnMc