Powerless

[intheozone]

Hi all

So I recently write off my old 2000 4.6L P38a so with my insurance I bought an slightly newer 2001 4.6L P38a (logical choice) with a few more K's on the clock.

My old car had a beautiful v8 note. This new one is a bit on the quiet side. The new one also seems to lack quite a bit of power compared to my old one.

What could be causing this powerlessness? I don't believe my old car had anything other than a factory exhaust but I could be wrong either way it was still a single pipe.

How much more power can you get from a better exhaust?

Thanks

[Keithy P38]

I'd say its due to age.

Cam lobes could be more worn, not as fresh a motor, could have lived a hard life!

I had a similar thing with my situation. 3yrs ago wrote off my '00 hse, new one is a '99 (still Bosch) hse with more k's on it, but it drives better than my old one did rather than worse. I figure its been rebuilt or had head work/new cam at some stage! The motor is whisper quiet.

[bee utey]

Possibly the catalytic converters are stuffed. They don't last forever, especially if clogged by being frequently driven short distances.

[RR P38]

Change your fuel filter do the plugs and put some 20w 60 Penrite with extra zinc in it. See how you go after this.
If its still life less, consider a dyno tune.
I got mine done about 2 years ago for the first time.....dont laugh I had 90kw at the wheels before and after I had 95.4, did it make a difference hell yeah.
Apparently the 95 (as it doesnt have o2 sensors) is more tuneable than the polluted engines.
You could have stuffed o2 sensors, get an OBD2, Hawkeye etc on it.

I have pulled a lifter out of mine to see how worn the cam is, lifters are shot to bits I put a few new rockers on and replaced a pushrod or two......this quietened it down.
Worn cam for sure robs power......how much who knows, Im more than happy with the way my 95 goes and Im regularly impressed when I boot the old thing.

Exhaust stnd is pretty good I think especially the headers, a pair of high flow cats would help, but the rest looks pretty good.

[wayneg]

Change your fuel filter

Good luck with trying that! Do you know where it is?

Try cleaning the Maf. pop round if you dont know how.

You never know your old car might have had a High compression engine and the new one Low.

Peterjam has just had his centre box replaced with a high flow muffler for a couple of hundred $$$ in and out. Engine burble is much nicer, thinking of getting mine changed.

[TheTree]

Change your fuel filter

That is not a very easy thing to do on a MY99 or later, people have cut holes through the floor to do it though :eek:

Steve

[RR P38]

That is not a very easy thing to do on a MY99 or later, people have cut holes through the floor to do it though :eek:

Steve

Mmmm so possibly the culprit?
I know when I got my P38 13yrs ago the fuel filter was really bad, I usually open these suckers up and take a look in them, same with things like the trans filter.

[wayneg]

Just to keep this clear, Gems cars have a changeable fuel filter.
Thor cars do not have a serviceable fuel filter.
The Thor filter is a part of the fuel pump sender unit which is big $$$$$$ and obviously inside the tank. Totally different to Gems cars

http://www.aulro.com/afvb/attachments/p38a-range-rover/51878d1349427371-thor-fuel-pump-renew-fuel-filter-renew-fuel-level-sender-clean-dscf2751-001.jpg

[TheTree]

Hi

I agree that the first thing to do is a thorough service and check as much stuff as you can before you start ripping things apart.

If you don't have a nanocom etc, a generic OBD setup will tell you a fair bit about the engine and associated ancillaries for a small outlay of folding.

Good luck with it.

Steve

[redandy3575]

Wow........bit of inspiration for me to have a check.

[intheozone]

Just to keep this clear, Gems cars have a changeable fuel filter.
Thor cars do not have a serviceable fuel filter.
The Thor filter is a part of the fuel pump sender unit which is big $$$$$$ and obviously inside the tank. Totally different to Gems cars



Hi Wayne,

Do you have a nanocom? I'm gonna be messing about with the car on Sunday if you want to come over for a beer or two?

Steve

[wayneg]

Sorry, busy sunday. Dont own a Nanocom but can get hold of a Rovacom unit ( Indy garage type diagnostics) if you are in real dire need and willing to part with a carton of beer and can wait a week
I do have a Thor Sync Mate if you ever need one