101: (Lack of) Progress Report

As the engine isn't moving on the starting handle any more and working on the maxim "try everything else before stripping the engine" I began removing and checking...

As its likely the clutch is stuck and for some reason the gears were engaging (even though it seemed to be in neutral in both gearboxes) I decided to address the known problem of the hydraulics not working for the clutch. Stripped out the master cylinder, which amusingly requires the removal of the pedal housing which is bolted to the front panel of the 101. This made me think of just how close to death I am when driving this vehicle - is there a negative star rating for crashing testing? (see diagram)

Anyhow...turned out the master cylinder was gunked to high-heaven, so with some penetrating oil and some huile de coude it freed up. Reassembled the master cylinder and the pedal housing in to the vehicle then went to bleed the clutch system at which point I discovered I had no tubing in my workshop or house suitable. Now given the amount of stuff I keep hold of "just in case its useful" this is quite amazing. After a 40 mile round trip to my nearest motor factor (yes, 40 miles), I bled the system and got to the point where I now know that the clutch is stuck - hydraulics are working but the plate won't move. No surprise here, but the 'standard' way to free up a Land Rover clutch that's stuck is to start the vehicle in gear and bounce it until the clutch frees up. Small problem there...

So I then decide that the starter motor may have jammed when trying to start it on the ignition. So following the instructions in the Repair Manual, I dutifully remove the panel in the right-hand front wheel arch, "to facilitate access to the area". This gives me a nice view of the exhaust manifold but no access to the starter motor! Top tip: do not bother opening panel. Removal is best done from underneath the vehicle. So after removing the starter, I tried turning it on the handle again. No joy. Sigh - starter motor back in...

Cautionary note: if you have long hair, as I do, and are using a wheeled crawler board, ensure that your hair is fully secured in a pony tail before rolling under the vehicle and getting a bunch of stray hairs entwined in the wheel of the crawler. No amount of swearing releases you.

As a final prevarication I decide that there is a possibility the gearbox is not going into neutral and that the "stuck" feel of the engine is from the transmission being fully engaged. So I jack up one wheel of the 101 using a high-lift jack (can't find the handle to my trolley jack) and try to turn it by hand, both in and out of gear. Sadly, it moves when in neutral but not when in gear (although its clear I'm going to have to completely strip and redo the brakes).

Arse.

This means that its really likely to be something in the engine and I'm going to have to strip it.