1999 4.6 needs some work; fix or sell?

[Spring]

I bought my 4.6 new in 1999. I have really enjoyed it all this time. I've had it serviced regularly by the dealer since Day One. The mileage is now up to over 90M and I'm having some trouble. It seems the EAS has broken and needs replacing. I just got a call from the dealer and they want somewhere near $4,000 or so to do it. Also, the Heat/AC unit is having trouble blowing where it needs to. It heats and cools just fine, just not where it always should, at least on the passenger side. They want about $2,100 to fix that. All in all they just called with about $6M in estimates.
Absent these two problems the car runs great and is still a pleasure to drive. Drives as good as they day I got it. I'm just hesitant to put this kind of money into a car whose book value isn't substantially more than that. If I were to sell it in this condition, do any you have any idea what it might be worth??

[OkieRover]

Gosh if that is all that you are having trouble with I'd put a spring kit on it. And I'd find an independent for the heating and cooling issues.

You'll come out with less cost and you'll never have to fix the EAS again.

Money doesn't grow on trees at my house so I do a lot of work myself. It always amazes me the cost for dealer repairs. I enjoy the work mostly and my time is technically free.

I know everyone isn't into the mechanical like I am and I have my limits where I take it to someone else. For me I love my Rover and will continue to fix it until it gives up entirely on me.

Hope you find peace with it.

[Spring]

How involved is it to have the suspension system changed? I know nothjing about the process. Do I need to order the parts? If so, what do I need to get?

[TerryS]

I'm in agreement with Okie regarding changing out the EAS for a set of conventional coil springs. Both Rovers North, and Atlantic British offer a complete kit to do the job. It's about a 2 1/2 wrench job, and they offer a pretty good set of instructions with the kit.

The climate control problems are as common as dirt on P38A Rangies. Your blend motors are shot. They aren't so cheap, but the real cost is in the labor, it means dissassembling the entire dash. If you're all thumbs, cut 2 off each hand and dive in. Unless my dealer can actually prove he has pictures of me and his pet sheep, I'll never pay the kind of money they want.

[lonestarrover]

I have a 97 RR that was converted to coil springs, the ride is not as firm and there is lean on turns, other than that it's a much cheaper alternative. As for the blend motor replacement their is alot of good information on Rangerovers.net
Good luck.

[Disco]

Putting air bags inside the coils (rear) will solve your leaning problems and improve the overall ride. Great also if your into towing.

[azpaquin]

[Rover4_0]

I just did quite a few repairs on my 96 4.0, did all the work myself:

New Rear airspring bellow, new EAS pump, re oringed the EAS valve block,
New Trans and Oil cooler lines, New pAss fan motor, new dash bulbs, new fuse box, new rear hatch struts, changed all fluids, new cd player, replaced Heater orings,

The local independant did a reset on the EAS for me and said I should convert to springs as well...I just like the EAS...Wife is a realtor and needs it to lower for the olderly clients she has.

The closest dealer is 300 miles away, so for me to go there is a dy or two off and a drive up there to get gouged...Tried a few things on my own and all went well, So I am doing everthing I can to save Money

see if you can get a report from them as to what is actually wrong with the EAS..there are parts available for repairs..like O-Rings, I spent 20.00 on new rings and Dealer wanted to replace valve block for 1,500.00, wanted close to 400.00 for a new rear airspring, I bought a below only for 98 with lifetime warranty

theres alot you can do yourself and save alot of money
www.rangerovers.net has alot of repair write ups and how to's, lists of parts suppliers and there are lists like this one that has many subscribers that will do what they can to help you out

Rover4_0

[Rovin4life]

six grand, jeez at our place anything over a grand in EAS just gets an alternative for coil springs. We dont want to waste the time trying to fix a broken part when it blows ten miles down the road.

and two grand for a heater fix.

what are they actually quoting you. is it a problem with say a blend door motors or an actual module. cause if thats your problem then being a module then yes its not absurd. but anything else is pushing it.

get a second opinion.

[Jammer]

You would be amazed at the stories we hear about repair estimates. Just remember a lot of times if something was working fine and all of a sudden it quits it is usually something simple, like a loose wire.
I have bought several rovers where the wiring harness was loose at the connectors. Threw off all sorts of codes. Dealer was overwhelmed with repairs. I just checked connections and fixed the problem.
Wouldn't you hate to be the guy on the other end who use to own the truck.

John

[jgenduso]

Rover4_0 - pm'd you about o-rings.

Can anyone explain how hard it is to replace the O-Rings on the valve block? My dealer said the #2 valve is bad and it would be $1200 to replace the whole thing. I have intermittant sagging and all bags are working well.

Where can you get the O-Rings from? Any details would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks,

Joe

[Muddy Oval]

If the valve is bad, an o-ring won't fix it. We do spring conversions on P38 Rangies all the time- $795 for the parts and an afternoon of work- and without fail the customers always say they like the ride with the coils better.

The blend doors are a PITA to work on- if it needs a module that's easier, lots of junked P38's to get used parts from. Usually it's the blend doors. On one, we just parked the doors so the air went to feet and windshield and they were happy with it fixed on that setting...

Either that or sell me the truck cheap and I'll fix it and keep it.

[Funrover]

Ditch the EAS...that system sucks..My parents have had a lot of troubles with theirs.....next problem it has we are putting coils in.... Atlantic British sells the conversion kit also...It's not too hard of a job...But give yourself a saturday and a few buddies to help.... The ride is really nice with the coils..there are different types so do a little research to find the kind of ride you like....As far has heat and cool..... that is a comon problem on the P38.....my parents have a different problem but same area.....I'd say blender motors..but that is a guess...My parent had theirs don not too long ago and it was $1000 for all of them and labor..I'd keep the truck but take it somewhere else such as a indepdent shop!!

[CoachDitka]

If you are having intermittant sagging but the system still works (all 4 raise and lower) then you only have a leak. This can be repaired for less than $20 in o-rings. Dealers do not repair any of the parts, they will just replace with new. You can bascially rebuild the entire EAS system for about $500, which includes rebuilding the compressor, all new o-rings in the valve block and in all fittings, and all new air springs. Of that $500, $400 or so is for the springs, about $80 for the compressor rebuild kit, and about $20 for all the o-rings. I suggest you contact shupack on the rangerovers.net forums. He can supply the o-rings, compressor rebuild kit, and even rebuild your compressor and valve block if you wish him to. New bellows for the springs can be had from Arnott Industries

Your A/C problem is most likely blend motors. You can buy the set of 3 for about $150, and with some patience replace them yourself with the excellent writeup on rangerovers.net.

-Coach

[Pascaltissot]

Hi , just check in nearby 2 hand parts of crash cars most of them have excellent parts ,at a very reasonable cost . Just as an example I bought all suspension air bags and brake disks with calipers plus the original pads ¾ of use for 600 us this of coarse is a suggestion you might look into .