I have a few questions and need help please.

[95discoI-adam]

I recently bought a 95 land rover discovery I and I'm having trouble starting it. It has to be cranked at least three times with the third giving it some gas to finally turn over. When it does, a very thick gas smell and little smoke pour out the back. The gas smell continues all the way home. Could it be the fuel filter? The fuel pump? Also the other day I stopped in a store and when i came out it didn't want to start at all. I let it sit for a while as if it were flooded and then the same ol' 1,2,3 ...and it starts. this has happened a couple times since then. Any ideas, thoughts or answers are appreciated!

[texaninmass]

Hi Adam,
I would carefully check the engine compartment where the gas lines come up and check for any leaks. The fuel filter is located behind the passenger right rear wheel, towards the front of the wheel well. I would look to see if you see there any leaks around the filter and then follow the lines to the front of the car and check those as well.
If the filter is clogged you will not have the thick smell of gas because the engine is being robbed of gas.
The things I would be checking are spark plugs, spark plug wires, coil. It sounds like your not getting good spark and that is why you are smelling gas. (That is if you are not leaking gas somewhere) There are many possibilities.

That is where I would start.
Anthony

[Elemental]

Also, for easier under car inspection. Strap your Harbor Frieght winch to a tree and lift the front up.

With the truck hanging vertically, its very easy to inspect the underside, and you dont have to crawl under your truck....Its like working at a workbench.

That said... you have leaking injectors. Would test to confirm, but its pretty much a cliche problem.

[ArmyRover]

was just about to post the same thing as Elemental I would also say your injectors are shot....

I almost said the check valve in the fuel pump but the gas smell leads me to the injectors.

[texaninmass]

Will never hear the end of it.....

[ArmyRover]

Not bloodly likely brother lol

Chalk it up to a great learning experience....

[Elemental]

I think it was BRILLIANT! I hate crawling under a truck. All the crap falling on you, straining to lift stuff up,etc.

Hanging frm a tree like a Christmas Decoration, you can work on it standing up..Like a man. Its much easier that way!

[daniels disco]

say.., was the fuel tank recalled for this year ?? I know my '94 had/still has a recall active. My tank leaks fuel when filled from the left rear top., but it still draws vacume. Could it be he too has a bad tank and will not build sufficient vacume to start ??
I tend to go with the fuel filter clog also. dan

[ArmyRover]

Originally Posted by Elemental

Hanging from a tree like a Christmas Decoration, you can work on it standing up..Like a man. Its much easier that way!

Alright I'm sorry but that is Fu*king hiliarious

[9dawgs]

May be a long shot but I had the same problem for awhile in my '99 Discovery. Wound up being the crank shaft position sensor. Mine would start if I held the gas pedal just right but would run like crap. It took three turns of the key attempts to start to finally get it running right so I could drive it away. This only happened when the vehicle was hot so it stumped me for awhile.

Someone suggested a crank shaft position sensor so I picked one up from Atlantic British for $99 and installed it. It solved the problem right away. Hope this helps.