SD1 Maintenance

No car can run without maintenance and the SD1 is no exception. Now to describe the standard maintenance routine would not be really necessary here. So let us mention a few points which we think are of particular importance to the SD1. Oil In the manual it is stated for the older models that oil changes should take place every 5000 miles. For later models it was set at every 12,000 miles, but this figure tends to be somewhat optimistic for the V8. As a rule of thumb an interval of 5000 miles or every year can be used for cars which run short distances. And 7,000 miles or every year for cars which run for longer distances or run on liquid gas. The six cylinders are somewhat less problematic in this respect, but still change every 7,000 to 10,000 miles or every year. There is a lot more to tell about oil and your engine and that is why we have a separate page for it! The oily page Ignition The plugs are not very critical, just make sure the colour is light grey and the plugs are of the right heat grade. Some good results have been achieved with splitfire plugs, so you can give them a try. They are more expensive but have longer life. Do they save fuel as the maker claims?...... well just forget it, if there are any fuel savings they are hardly noticeable. When changing plugs, give the threads a light smear of copper paste, it makes the plug change easier the next time, remember aluminium threads are very vulnerable.

When changing the V-8's HT leads, you can use the HT leads of the Range Rover giving superior protection against the weather and also giving less resistance and thus a stronger spark. They are not cheap, but far superior to the HT leads you got now! Another possibility is to use plug connectors from a Japanese motorcycle. These connectors can be obtained in various lenght and angles and, considering their quality, are not expensive at all. And just in case you forgot the firing order, see the diagram on the right. The cooling system For heaven's sake don't use ordinary water, especially not on the V-8's, at first you won't notice but the aluminium starts to corrode and heat transfer will slowly decrease resulting in overheating in the end (with leaking head gaskets etc). As a bonus the heads will also be very difficult to lift. So use proper coolant with corrosion inhibitors!. Change the fluid every two/three years and the cooling system will run without trouble. Also consider to add some anti-leaking additives, Not to prevent leaks but it provides some extra lubrication for the waterpump thus giving it a longer life. The negative effects on heat transfer of these additives are neglegible. The gearbox   Make sure to check the oil level regularly especially on the manual versions, there is only 1,1 litre in the system. If the oil level drops too low there is a fair chance of transmission seizure with dramatic results. Oil can be sweating out very slowly so don't count on drips on the ground as an early warning system. Remember that the manual boxes also need automatic transmission fluid. If your automatic gearbox doesn't give smooth gearchanges don't always expect the box. It can also be the engine!, at least if you have a GM-transmission (from 1982 onwards). The gearchange is controlled by means of a circuit which relies on engine vacuum. Thus if your carburettors are not properly synchronised you can have a problem with the timing of the gearchange. While changing the transmission fluid, why don't do it thoroughly and also change the braking fluid of the hydraulic clutch. Changing this fluid is often overlooked until the system is giving trouble. As braking fluid attracts moisture, changing it prevents corrosion on the clutch cylinder. The differential   The differential is filled for life. It even doesn't have a drain plug fitted! It certainly won't hurt to suck the oil out through the filling plug and replace it with first grade new hypoid oil, as Rover didn't design the axles to last for decades. It would be wise to repeat this every three years. Braking System   Change the braking fluid regularly, about every three years would be best. You can upgrade to silicone brake fluid but remember to change all the rubbers!!....as the results are hardly noticable in normal use consider the change carefully.....because it is a lot of work and expensive too! Don't rely on the front brake lights to go on if the front brake parts are worn. Check them yourself. Rubbers Before the winter begins, smear the door rubbers with vaseline or silicon spray to prevent them from sticking. This increases rubber life. And they are not cheap!! Leather To restore worn leather in a SD-1 can be a very costly operation, so it is better to prevent it. It is best to treat the leather once a year with a conditioner and a sealer. Remember that cleaning the leather is the most important operation. Although it is hard work it will pay off in the end. So take your time and clean it thoroughly especially the seams. The sunroof Make sure the draining holes are open, take the top lid off and inspect the underside as a lot of rust can be found here sometimes. Electrical Regular use of the rear wiper, the electric windows, locking system and the electric mirrors prevents the motors/solenoids from seizing. So occasionally operate them. This is especially important if you store your car for a longer period. Also apply some lubrication on graphite basis to the mechanical parts of the solenoids. This especially goes for the locking solenoid in the rear hatch. Better not use oil as this attracts a lot of dust after some time, preventing the mechanism to work properly. Thanks to: Adriaan Briene.

HT leads diagram HT Plug connectors Range Rover plug connectors although very good can be rather pricey. As an alternative you can use the plug connectors from a motorcycle. These are at least as good and much cheaper. They come with various angles. Also see the picture above. Some NGK types are: Type SB05F LB05F XB05F YB05F Angle 0 90 102 120 Price (Euro) 2,95 2,45 3,95 2,95 Many more types are available, just ask a motorcycle dealer. Thanx to Paul Alting van Geusau for the information