Dashboard out

[David]

Greetings all
I have been quoted nearly $3K by the local Landrover dealer to take my dashboard out and replace 2 blend motors. I have looked at all of the information on the web and in this forum for removing it but i don't feel at all confident in my ability to undertake the required work alone. I think that if we went that far, I should look at the heater matrix and heater o rings as well.

Is anybody able to advise me of a cheaper alternative to what has been proposed, I live in Millicent in the South East of South Australia, half way between Adelaide and Melbourne so a trip either way is possible.

Or in the alternative, if somebody is looking for a weeks free accommodation in a beach house at Beachport (great 4wd spot) and is able to provide me with some guidance/reassurance etc on doing the job myself then I would be happy to discus this with you.

Regards
David :)

[p38arover]

'Tis a very tempting offer! I have had some experience with this. :angel:

[PeterH]

If you are pulling the dash right apart, then it is probably worthwhile doing the o rings at least, if not the heater core as well. I'm in the same dilemma, I need to do my heater core and left side blend motor.
There are short cut methods to doing both jobs, the biggest problem is getting through the rear air duct pipes to get at the blend motors etc.
I did my o rings using the shortcut method a couple of weeks ago, only to discover my heater core was leaking as well.
It's one of those jobs that looks very daunting the first time, but once you have done it, would be a pretty straight forward process to do again.
In your case, some assistance from someone who has done it before would make all the difference.
Good luck, I think someone will take you up on that offer!

[Marshall]

3K? what else will he be doing?

Blends come in a set of 3 and cost around $5-600. (type "P38 Blend" into ebay.co.uk and the prices come back 35 pounds to 305 pounds) and it should take a shop around 6 hours to do. (Mine were done before I bought it, so I am going by the reciept plus a little for inflation)

Should be a tad less than $3000 unless they are doing a lot of other things... :angel:

[Hoges]

From personal experience, British Parts UK have an excellent o'seas service
Range Rover P38A--Electrical (http://www.britishparts.co.uk/.sc/ms/cat/Range%20Rover%20P38A--Electrical)
(scroll down)
prices very with exchange rate but around $300 is a reasonable price.
cheers

[DT-P38]

I have been quoted nearly $3K by the local Landrover dealer to take my dashboard out and replace 2 blend motors.

That would be why we often call them stealers around here instead of dealers!:o In all fairness, the poor buggers probably need to make much more money on a P38... the $100K+ from sales profit and first 11-17 years servicing probably isn't enough! What were they asking for the parts?

Would love to take you up on that week away offer, but I have not had the dubious pleasure of this "right of passage" P38 task yet. :angel:

Hang on, do you need someone to pass the tools/beers? :p No doubt I will end up having to do it one day!!!

[mechanic2you]

David

The dash on a p38 doesn';t have to come out to replace the blend motor set (3) you just need persistance
Call me to discuss the detail of removal if you like
Regards
Peter
0419 427162

[p38arover]

David

The dash on a p38 doesn';t have to come out to replace the blend motor set (3) you just need persistance

Agreed. That's why I wrote it up on RangeRovers.net.

[David]

Thanks Ron
I have spoken to Peter on the phone and he has run me through the process. Sadly the matrix/o rings are now leaking so the job has got much bigger. I have downloaded your article from range rovers.net and will have a close read of it.

Thanks once again both of you for your help, no takers on the beach house yet.
Regards
David

[p38arover]

Hi David. Did you get the O-ring replacement pages, too?

[David]

Hi David. Did you get the O-ring replacement pages, too?

Yes thanks Ron very comprehensive
Best regards
David

[sawtooth4x4]

i took my dash out a few weeks ago. it wasn't too bad. it only took me about an hour to get it out. the hardest part is getting it over the steering wheel. i got it out on my own.

this is one of the easier dashes i have removed. everything is pretty accessible.

the only hard part was getting to the electrical connectors for the alarm system light on the dash and the ambient light meter on the dash.

[PaulP38a]

Well done you! I needed a mate to help me lift it out.

agree about those fiddly connectors for the light sensor and alarm LED... had my arm contorted up there for about 5mins trying to unclip them one-handed. For the uninitiated, see the green and black connectors in the photo below near the centre of the windscreen.
http://paulp38a.com/gallery/d/2443-1/IMG_1405.JPG

[redandy3575]

I did the right hand side blend motor about 6 month ago. Didn't need to get the dash out at all, managed to place it in through the instrument cluster hole. The only thing that gets in the way is the instrument bracket ( the thing holding the speedometer & tacho etc.). You can remove it, but chances are that you have a P38 that has already had the blend motor changed before by the previous owners, and rough handed dealer mechanics would have most likely have broken the bracket of the dash mount. Not too worry, just re-break it again (trust me, it'll make the access a whole lot easier) and when your finished installing the new blend motor just re-glue it with Tarzan 3x bond available at just about all hardware stores, but super strong, better than super glue i reckon. With the loom of three, i think it's a case of removing the glove box and working in from underneath, i don't know as i've never done the blend motor on the left hand side yet, i'd say it would be easier. Invest in a flexible pivot screwdriver to work in the tight confined space, but is do-able. And while your at it, as you say do the o-rings as well which again does not require dash removal, just patience in working in confined spaces. Good luck and hope this helps.

BTW would have taken up your offer, but am going away so cannot do..

[jsp]

I drove my car without a dash for two weeks as a daily driver. its loud without the dash. Glad I didnt have an accident.

Hmmmmm its a tempting offer but I guess you need it dne sorta soon and I am booked out untill xmas :( your just up the road too!

You should be able to get blend motors done for less than half that in Adelaide at an independant.

[David]

Thanks Jsp
Not really urgent but something that needs doing.
Keep me in mind
Regards
David