going to look at a p38 dt manual what should I look for
- Thread starter tonka12
- Start date
This site contains affiliate links for which LandyZone may be compensated if you make a purchase.
- Posts
- 16,475
One with an auto box...the Diesel in manual formn is a pain the rear to drive...gutless and needs lot of clutch control to get going on hills and towing...the auto box masks this issue well.
tomcat59alan
Well-Known Member
- Posts
- 18,611
- Location
- wirral and triquivijate
Now now Saint, in the hands of a professional driver the manual is no problem at all. Yes mine has been chipped and certainly is not gutless and I do tow an 1800 kg twin axle tin tent. I can only guess the one/ones you have tried have been f**ked.
landygirl87
Active Member
- Posts
- 196
- Location
- South West Scotland
Mine is as slow as f**k, but it can tow well, but not fast enough, sometimes I have to start in low box to get going, then quickly change to high when I get up to about 20mph.
The main problem is tge power, make sure the clutch and gearbox is ok, cause getting it going would probably give it some wear and tear in that area. Make sure the ECU is functioning properly, mine thinks it's broken, only intermittent problem, but my air compresser is totally gone, oh, and check that your universal joint is nicely lubed up as mine had exploded and drive shaft fell off! Can't remember any more, oh and check the water pump, the blades on mine melted causing the engine to overheat and radiator blew up!
The main problem is tge power, make sure the clutch and gearbox is ok, cause getting it going would probably give it some wear and tear in that area. Make sure the ECU is functioning properly, mine thinks it's broken, only intermittent problem, but my air compresser is totally gone, oh, and check that your universal joint is nicely lubed up as mine had exploded and drive shaft fell off! Can't remember any more, oh and check the water pump, the blades on mine melted causing the engine to overheat and radiator blew up!
polsta
Active Member
- Posts
- 843
- Location
- Portsmouth, south coast
Mines a manual I find it great to drive and it can shift if you want it too in 2nd and 3rd !! Prefer it to the autos , it has a rimmer bros power box
My advice would be - have a nice drive and check everything, check the air suspension a few times up and down and good look at the bags when raised and look for perishing and if they look old or not and look for paper work reciepts when last replaced
Check all the electrics and usual stuff and air con cruise control heaters etc
Check the chassis and underneath and avoid if rusty and crusty and it looks like its been near sea water a lot (I saw a few like this when looking for one ) but that would depend on your location if near the sea or not , ie avoid one that's been used owned by people with boats etc
And when driving get in a car park and open the windows and do lots if full lock to and thro turning and forwards reverse turning etc give the ball joints and steering a good work out and listen for any noises or clunks or judders
Walk away if it doesn't feel great , as there are plenty about so take time and get a nice one that's been looked after and not abused, they are about , in a sea of abused dogs
Good look at the history and look for good evidence of it being looked after and lots of history and reciepts for things done
Good luck
My advice would be - have a nice drive and check everything, check the air suspension a few times up and down and good look at the bags when raised and look for perishing and if they look old or not and look for paper work reciepts when last replaced
Check all the electrics and usual stuff and air con cruise control heaters etc
Check the chassis and underneath and avoid if rusty and crusty and it looks like its been near sea water a lot (I saw a few like this when looking for one ) but that would depend on your location if near the sea or not , ie avoid one that's been used owned by people with boats etc
And when driving get in a car park and open the windows and do lots if full lock to and thro turning and forwards reverse turning etc give the ball joints and steering a good work out and listen for any noises or clunks or judders
Walk away if it doesn't feel great , as there are plenty about so take time and get a nice one that's been looked after and not abused, they are about , in a sea of abused dogs
Good look at the history and look for good evidence of it being looked after and lots of history and reciepts for things done
Good luck
wil2813
Well-Known Member
- Posts
- 2,324
last 1 I had years ago was chipped & still a gutless gas guzzler, auto is much easier/smoother as saint says & you don't need a hydraulic left leg implant either
tomcat59alan
Well-Known Member
- Posts
- 18,611
- Location
- wirral and triquivijate
It must have been knackered then, mine flies and I can get 29.9 mpg on a run at 70+. I don't find the clutch heavy compared to my other motors but I did replace it not so long ago after the stupid roll pins sheared, and I stripped and lubricated all the moving linkages. Guess you drove a bad one
Datatek
Well-Known Member
- Posts
- 44,119
- Location
- Near Poitiers SW France
Auto every time.
brianp38dse
Well-Known Member
- Posts
- 19,651
- Location
- heathrow
Hi ive got a manual diesel with tuning box it it goes very well, seen 35mpg on a run its never going to be a rocket ship its 2.3 ton of luxury sit back and enjoy, good luck hope you find a nice one and enjoy the pleasure of owning one.
Last edited:
Datatek
Well-Known Member
- Posts
- 44,119
- Location
- Near Poitiers SW France
35mpg on the dash maybe, it lies when chipped
brianp38dse
Well-Known Member
- Posts
- 19,651
- Location
- heathrow
was being gentle, must do a brim to brim tank check when I ive got some money for a real time test.
- Posts
- 58,170
- Location
- Preston Lancs.
You have a chipped diesel. The only way to get more power and torque is to inject more fuel. And you are getting more to the gallon than Landrover claimed for a brand new motor. You are in a dream world.
wil2813
Well-Known Member
- Posts
- 2,324
It must have been knackered then, mine flies and I can get 29.9 mpg on a run at 70+. I don't find the clutch heavy compared to my other motors but I did replace it not so long ago after the stupid roll pins sheared, and I stripped and lubricated all the moving linkages. Guess you drove a bad one
i dont buy bad cheap ones infact both the dervs ive owned were mint the first 98 in moswood green was stunning & was purchased for the wife,when she first drove it she said "quote" theres something wrong with the accelerator pedal as when i press it it dont move lol so got her a hse v8 instead problem solved second was manual & chipped,bad mistake on long hauls & in motorway traffic jams infact i think thats what bought on my knee problems, luckily i managed to sell it to wanna be gangster who hadnt got a clue just interested in the badge or i would have cut it up tbh best thing for a manual imo
Now now Saint, in the hands of a professional driver the manual is no problem at all. Yes mine has been chipped and certainly is not gutless and I do tow an 1800 kg twin axle tin tent. I can only guess the one/ones you have tried have been f**ked.
Hi, everyone, newbie here. Yes, I had a diesel manual '96 flavour and I towed a 2 tonne twin axle 'van to Greece of all places with no probs, Alps and all.
Sadly a year later, the wife type (bless) had a serious accident in it involving a house (it got in the way) and it was totalled. Good job it was a Rangey as I still have wife and although this happened six years ago, just this last month we have acquired some funds and she has made good her promise to replace it - with a '98 4.6 HSE on lpg. Yay!
It has issues.
I will be back....
tomcat59alan
Well-Known Member
- Posts
- 18,611
- Location
- wirral and triquivijate
:welcome:
P38Penguin
Active Member
- Posts
- 305
- Location
- West Midlands
- Posts
- 18,999
- Location
- Buckinghamshire, UK. ('95 DT)
I've got a manual. Clutch is no heavier than any other car - and yes, I've done the bl**dy spiral clutch pins too!
So, if the clutch has been done recently find out what they did about the spiral clutch pins - they MUST be renewed.
Gearbox should shift nicely without too much slack between all gears. If it is slack or doesn't slot straight in then walk away.
It does suffer a bit on hill starts when towing without a lot of revs and clutch, no doubt about that but it is quicker than the auto. I've never felt the need to hip mine. Very noisy compared to the V8 though.
So, if the clutch has been done recently find out what they did about the spiral clutch pins - they MUST be renewed.
Gearbox should shift nicely without too much slack between all gears. If it is slack or doesn't slot straight in then walk away.
It does suffer a bit on hill starts when towing without a lot of revs and clutch, no doubt about that but it is quicker than the auto. I've never felt the need to hip mine. Very noisy compared to the V8 though.
