New member and first problem!

[DWH]

Hello All,

I'm a 50 year old novice Stag owner from Chesterfield in Derbyshire. My wife and I got fed up of being directed to the Tradesmen's Entrance whenever we arrived in either of our two other vehicles (a Ford Transit and a Land-rover 90) so we finally took the plunge and bought a white Stag (reg no. YYB700N) so we could go out in a bit more style. Naturally it has rained every day since we bought the Stag and the hard top has remained firmly (actually not quite so firmly) in place.

Last Friday the forecast was for sunshine all day so I took the Stag to work and four of us went out for a pub lunch. All went well and the Stag was much admired. However, as I reversed down a tricky gravelly slope into the garage it stalled and refused to start. I had to get a bit of assistance to push it into the garage. The slope is quite steep and the fuel was quite low so I assumed it was just low on fuel. On Saturday evening the forecast was good and we booked to go out to a local restaurant - one that had previously been a bit iffy about having my van parked right in front of the entrance. Before I got changed to go out I put two gallons of fuel in it and tried to start it. No joy!

Under the bonnet the fuel filter was empty and I noticed that there was no ticking from the fuel pump. I tracked down the inertia switch and re-set it. Fuel started pumping, the engine started and we were in business. While I was in it I thought I would get it up the gravelly slope onto level ground ready to go. Into drive - and nothing. Basically it is just sat there ticking nicely away in neutral.

There isn't quite enough clearance for me to get underneath but my immediate assumption is that the gear linkage has become disconnected. Is this possible or is there something else that can go wrong? The engine is a 3.5 Rover V8 (a similar engine to one of my previous Land-rovers) so I'm reasonable familiar with that, but I'm not familiar with automatic gearboxes and know next to nothing about what I assume is a BW35 three-speed in my Stag.

And has my problem got anything to do with the fuel pump inertia cut-out issue or is that pure coincidence? I don't recall hitting any massive potholes on the way back to the pub!

Oh - we didn't go out for a meal after all. I couldn't face the humiliation of having to park my dirty van 100m down the road

Cheers,
Derek.

[Bob Heritage]

Hi Derek and welcome along,
Does the engine rev ? or just tick over, Have you tried driving it manually Pos 1 & 2. Inertia switch is easily taken apart and cleaned or temporarly short out the 2 terminals.

Bob

[Dan stag]

My previous Stag was the same as yours, Rover V8 conversation auto. I got in one day, started her up and slid the lever into reverse and put my foot down she revved but no drive. I looked underneath an found that the split pin that connects the gear stick to the gearbox gear selecting lever had come adrift. If I remember rightly it was a bit of a fiddle but managed to put it back in by getting some height and jacking up the drivers side (with axles stands). I hope this helps might be the same scenario as yours. It was a simple fix.

[Guest]

Hello Derek,

Welcome to ownership. Can't help on your problem, although my Stag has a Rover V8 in it also.

Good luck

Ian

[V Mad]

Hi Derek and welcome. With a stag you can rest assured that you will break down in great style.

The inertia switch will need dismantling and a good clean out to make it reliable, an easy job which will cost you nothing.

The gearbox may just be low on fluid; try topping up a little with AQF or ATF (Ford and BW spec not Dexron).

[WealdenManinKent]

Hi there Derek
You will find like the rest of us that Stag ownership is a constant learning curve
Welcome to the best car club
Roger

[DWH]

Thanks for your replies everyone

V Mad - If I'm looking at the right dipstick I think the fluid level is OK. I will dismantle the inertia switch and give it a good clean.

Bob - The engine revs fine. There is no drive in 1,2,D or R. In fact, the gear lever definitely feels "odd", so...

Dan - I will try jacking it up and having a look underneath. It's a shame it's the drivers side because that side is quite close to the wall.

Can anyone recommend a good supplier of jacks and axle stands? I think they might be seeing a bit of use

[pcoleman]

Hi Derek and welcome, it wont do any harm to dismantle and clean the inertia switch but it is what it says, a switch that is. so if you have fuel pumping the switch is made and working as it should,I would think your lack of drive is mechanical and needs a look see under the beast. don't take any chances though and make sure it's supported safely before you venture underneath !

regards. peter.c

[Dan stag]

It does sound similar to my experience. Try peering underneath while someone else pushes the gear selector back and forth if I remember rightly you can see the other end of if moving from one side or another. It was 25 years ago so it's a bit hazy but my scenario was a quick easy fix I hope it's the same for you. My axle stands are Draper with the quick ratchets they are very good quality and good value. I've got 2 x 2 ton bottle jacks from Machine Mart they are good and sturdy although fairly slow lifting. I think a set of ramps are next on my Chritmas list.

[flying farmer]

Many years ago I had a Toledo fitted with a Rover V8 and BW35 box, I had to overfill the box or it would not go up steep hills, it felt like it was slipping into neutral and would judder while it did it. Never got to the bottom of the problem, but it was still working ok when I changed it for a 5 speed manual a couple of years later
Neil