My First P38 And i Got Problems.... Any Advice?

[wazza p38]

Hi there guys, ive just bought my first p38 after 10 years of an 80 series landcruiser, trouble free years i might add and ive just got a 1999 hse,
which is very nice but when i took it iover the pits they found a coolant leak at the back of passenger side head gasket.
i live in a rural wa town and have one mechanic here who seems to specialise in landys.
been quoted a fair bit of money to do both gaskets and was just looking for some thoughts from those more experienced.
also got a heater core coolant leak.
any advice would be appreciated.

thanks guys

[wayneg]

Well you have got two classic P38 faults in one go. You will need to address these ASAP. Rover V8`s dont like overheating. There are write ups for both jobs, the heater leak is most likely the O rings at a few dollars the pair. This is a definite DIY unless you want to pay a days labour to get at them . Head gaskets arn`t that hard but you will need a weekend, could be the Valley Gasket not the head. If the heater is leaking into the drivers footwell its most likely the O rings. If the passenger side could be just the air con drain blocked
Sorry to be negative, get these thing sorted and you will hopefully have time to learn about the EAS before that needs attention.

[DT-P38]

Welcome to the best tool you can find for a P38!

This forum will have the info you need to resolve most common drama's on a DIY basis (read cheap compared to paying others). Start using the search function with words like 'coolant' and 'overheating' and you will get a lot of relevant threads with experiences/fixes.

Buy yourself a copy of RAVE (workshop maintenance and repair manual on CD Rom) from hardrange.com load it up and be prepared to get your hands dirty!!!

If not a DIYer then be prepared to spend some of your hard earned... like any Land Rover, a P38 will keep you with your hands in your pockets. Especially if you don't maintain them properly and keep on top of any repairs that are required.

Don't take risks with coolant/overheating issues. Engine rebuilds are pretty ex-y. Get it sorted and your gonna love your Rangie... well mostly! It will have you thinking the 80 was a piece of agricultural machinery and if you set her up properly it will go anywhere the 80 could and probably further.

HooRoo, Dave

[Hoges]

Welcome to the forum!
Couple of things: explore Range Rovers (http://www.rangerovers.net) scroll down the page...it's long... look for the 4.0/4.6 "Common Problems and Fixes...it's brilliant for P38-specific stuff...there are many Australian members.
Get yourself a copy of Storey Wilson's EAS software (RSWSolutions) (totally free!) ...you can then calibrate, fault find and generally take full control of the air suspension.

If you undertake a careful search of the internet you just might also find a copy of Microcat the Land Rover parts catalogue.

BlackBox Solutions (HardRange is local distributor) sells a complete diagnostic unit about the size of a TV remote which plugs into the OBDII port under the RHS of the glove box... total (almost) visibility of all ECUs etc

If you are in any way mechanical you can do almost any job yourself with patience and a reasonable selection of tools

And ask questions!

[wazza p38]

Thanks guys for your words of wisdom.Im flat out at work so ive got it booked in to get the head leak fixed, so getting both gaskets and the heads done.
The core leak is dripping on the drivers side so i will have a crack at the o-rings.
Have just spent a months trying to get the rims and tyres i want and finally got them on the weekend and im very happy with those.
Ive got a front bar i got from paul at hardrange, which is in my shed ready to go on next week.
Also have a leaky airbag and going to have a crack at those once ive got the cooling system fixed.
But apart from that i love it, got a few more plans before chrissy for her too.
got some great offroading around here and go away camping alot so cant wait to blow away my mates in thier hiluxs and navaras.
Thanks again, will keep you all updated.

[mike 90 RR]

could be the Valley Gasket not the head.



so ive got it booked in to get the head leak fixed, so getting both gaskets and the heads done.


Have your mechanic have a Good look at Wayneg suggestion ... No need to do head gaskets if it's not needed ... Just make sure that ALL hoses and ancillaries are in very good nick ... because it only takes 1 overheat to stuff up the complete motor.


Oh ... and another thing ... Your ride is a constant 4WD .... nothing like your old 80 series...
Make sure that all tyres are EXACTLY the same in size / DONT mix n match tyre size / MUST be the same tread depth ...... Make sure the spare tyre is exactly the same in O/D and tread depth ..... as you will stuff up the Viscous in the transfer case ..... very Exxy to replace

Other than that ... Enjoy the ride

[wayneg]

Wazza, Where are you in WA?
There is someone selling two front air springs for A$120 on Gumtree in Perth. Although used they are the later type with the retaining rings and look quite new. The front air springs are easy, the back ones a little more fiddly but very DIY-able.
The ones I have seen all have a date stamp on them so you could judge how old yours are.



Land rover | Car Parts & Accessories | Gumtree Perth Region (http://perth.gumtree.com.au/c-Cars-Vehicles-Motorbikes-Parts-parts-accessories-other-parts-accessories-Land-rover-W0QQAdIdZ328017266)

[wazza p38]

Thanks again guys.
Live in bunbury, just rang about the springs but he's taken a deposit on them but will keep my no.
The head leak was the water jacket in the gasket so getting it all fixed.
The heater core needs replacing. And as far as pressure goes the 80 series was permeant 4x4 so I've learnt all those mistakes before.
Thanks fir all your help.
Been copping it hard from all my mates about the white lemon as it's been named. But I can see the potential here so I'm sill happy with my chioce. Hopefully by the weekend I'll be up and running. Thanks all again.

[PaulP38a]

Nice to see you here Wazza.

Let me know if you need a pair of heater core o-rings sent over (no charge) when you get the heater core done.

If you decide to have a go at the head gasket and HC yourself, check out my pics and light narration at Engine Refresh (top end) « PaulP38A.com (http://paulp38a.com/99p38a/engine-refresh/)

I would not have attempted the job without the support of the folks on this forum, so you are in good company here.

Cheers
Paul.

[wayneg]

Would you believe there is a heater core on Gumtree, no idea if its a good price but heres the link

Range Rover heater core/matrix | Oil & Coolants | Gumtree Darlington (http://perth.gumtree.com.au/c-Cars-Vehicles-Motorbikes-Parts-parts-accessories-oil-coolant-liquids-Range-Rover-heater-core-matrix-W0QQAdIdZ316217460)

[PaulP38a]

Would you believe there is a heater core on Gumtree, no idea if its a good price but heres the link

Range Rover heater core/matrix | Oil & Coolants | Gumtree Darlington (http://perth.gumtree.com.au/c-Cars-Vehicles-Motorbikes-Parts-parts-accessories-oil-coolant-liquids-Range-Rover-heater-core-matrix-W0QQAdIdZ316217460)

You got shares in Gumtree Wayne? ;)

Price seems fair compared to other suppliers I have checked out in the past. Yeah, can pick it up 30-50% cheaper from the UK but then there is the shipping cost and waiting time.

Gumtree eh? and I thought it was just a scammers hang-out... bought out by eBay or Trading Post as I recall?

Cheers, Paul.

[wayneg]

No dont have shares but always bang in Range Rover every few days to see what pops up.

Wazza, forget Gumtree, check this out as Paul pointed out. This will be less than A$150 landed even less if you ask them to drop the 20% Vat as they should.


RANGE ROVER P38 94-02 HEATER MATRIX & O-RINGS STC3261 | eBay (http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/RANGE-ROVER-P38-94-02-HEATER-MATRIX-O-RINGS-STC3261-/160608125641?pt=UK_CarsParts_Vehicles_CarParts_SM&hash=item2564fd82c9)

[mike 90 RR]

Been copping it hard from all my mates about the white lemon

Your "non locked diff" Rangie will do things that will make their heads spin ....

If you intend to do water crossings, Do yourself a favour, where the air intake is located ... passenger wheel well .... relocate it to under the bonnet.
Get on top of the airbag system and reco the valve block system + the compressor (Paul from Hardrange has all the goodies)

Cheers & enjoy
Mike

[PaulP38a]

No dont have shares but always bang in Range Rover every few days to see what pops up.

I used to do that on eBay, but found stuff arriving that I had forgot I had ordered. We should start a thread entitled "Stuff I forgot I bought for my P38 while half-tanked" ;)

Almost ended up with AMG Merc one night! Am glad the other half-tanked guy beat me in the bidding war :o Wasn't so tanked that I re-thought bidding on a Suzi Mighty Boy... $5k was too much to pay for an Esky on (small) wheels.

Cheers, Paul.

[whisky_mac]

Almost ended up with AMG Merc one night! Am glad the other half-tanked guy beat me in the bidding war :o Wasn't so tanked that I re-thought bidding on a Suzi Mighty Boy... $5k was too much to pay for an Esky on (small) wheels.

Cheers, Paul.

Your must be going for legend status Paul. Love it?

Cheers, Jim

[wayneg]

Almost ended up with AMG Merc one night! Am glad the other half-tanked guy beat me in the bidding war

Cheers, Paul.

Well I actually bought one in a rash moment.... and you think the P38 is complicated..............
R129 PHOTO GALLERY. Photos only please send a PM (Comments will be deleted) - Page 14 - Benzworld.org - Mercedes-Benz Discussion Forum (http://www.benzworld.org/forums/r129-sl-class/1354867-r129-photo-gallery-photos-only-please-14.html#post2514779)

[PhilipA]

That is the one with 26 electric motors>>>>>>>>.. to raise the roof.

Regards Philip A

[wayneg]

That is the one with 26 electric motors>>>>>>>>.. to raise the roof.

Regards Philip A

No not electric, its Hydraulic, more ecu`s and sensors than you could imagine. Still its a work of art.

[willem]

Hi there guys, ive just bought my first p38 after 10 years of an 80 series landcruiser, trouble free years i might add and ive just got a 1999 hse,
which is very nice but when i took it iover the pits they found a coolant leak at the back of passenger side head gasket.
i live in a rural wa town and have one mechanic here who seems to specialise in landys.
been quoted a fair bit of money to do both gaskets and was just looking for some thoughts from those more experienced.
also got a heater core coolant leak.
any advice would be appreciated.

thanks guys

G'day Wazza,

Before you get the heads done just take off the top half of the inlet manifold and tighten up all of the inlet manifold bolts. That will most likely cure the leaks. It only looks like the head gaskets are leaking because that's where the coolant dribbles.

It had me bothered for months where this coolant was coming from and when I started to disassemble the inlet manifold I found all the bolts loose. Tightened the lot and that was it - no further leakage or problems.

Willem

[DT-P38]

G'day Wazza,

Before you get the heads done just take off the top half of the inlet manifold and tighten up all of the inlet manifold bolts. That will most likely cure the leaks. It only looks like the head gaskets are leaking because that's where the coolant dribbles.

It had me bothered for months where this coolant was coming from and when I started to disassemble the inlet manifold I found all the bolts loose. Tightened the lot and that was it - no further leakage or problems.

Willem

Aren't they meant to be re-torqued (after a brief run in) following VRS or head work? Wonder if that's a missed step on some of these examples.

[John L322]

:angel:
live in a rural wa town and have one mechanic here who seems to specialise in landys.

thanks guys
Wassa,
Like you looking for experienced landy mechanics in Bunbury, who did you find? Hopefully not anyone connected to the past dealership in town.