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

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.

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

Welcome to the forum!
Couple of things: explore Range Rovers 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!

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.

Originally Posted by wayneg

could be the Valley Gasket not the head.

Originally Posted by wazza p38

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

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

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.

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

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.