P38 change from EAS to springs

[Wall]

Hi everyone, sorry to sound like a sore thumb but I would like some advice please. I recently bought a Range Rover p38 s reg and didn't know what I was looking for or at when I bought it. I put it into a reputable garage to get the EAS checked out as it is leaning to the right on both ends, I next get a quote for over 3000 with everything that is wrong with it. I can't afford to cut my losses and get rid. The EAS needs both the height sensors replacing. I want to know if I should just get it converted to springs. I only use it on the road really.
Any advice will be appreciated as Im a complete novice in this department.
Cheers, Dan

 

[sassanach]

3 grand to change height sensors,i would need a **** load more booze than i have currently imbibed to stand for that.

 

[marcinbrighton]

Don't change to springs. stick with the air - its what they're designed for and you'll certainly want it to be able to drop to low profile if you're on the road all the time.

Assuming the £3k was just for EAS:

Set of four Arnott bags: £300 (dunlops around £200)
compressor: £180
Height Sensors: £50 each
Set of o-rings for the valve block: £8
All available from Island 4x4 and easy DIY using Datatek's 'How To'.

that leaves a whole heap left over for xmas

 

[paulvasey]

sounds like they have your pants down around your ankles!

 

[paulvasey]

having said that i had a p38 on springs for 5 years and was happy as larry with it. safe in the knowledge it couldnt touch my beer tokens

 

[Wall]

Cheers all, the 3 grand was for everything else that they said was wrong with it included. They was loads of stuff, I really don't wan to get rid though. I will just grin and get it done one thing at a time.

 

[Peter Sanders]

Hi everyone, sorry to sound like a sore thumb but I would like some advice please. I recently bought a Range Rover p38 s reg and didn't know what I was looking for or at when I bought it. I put it into a reputable garage to get the EAS checked out as it is leaning to the right on both ends, I next get a quote for over 3000 with everything that is wrong with it. I can't afford to cut my losses and get rid. The EAS needs both the height sensors replacing. I want to know if I should just get it converted to springs. I only use it on the road really.
Any advice will be appreciated as Im a complete novice in this department.
Cheers, Dan

You can swap your sensors from side to side. They then use the "other" side of the sensor. The sensors are (all?) made the same, the variation is really the length of the "rod" that connects it to the RR.

There are two potentiometers (like a volume control) with their own wiper inside the sensor. I have a photo of the insides of a classic sensor, but it's not available to me at the moment - it's at home on my pc.

If you are mechanically and technically able, for MUCH less than 3000 you can buy the Rovacom lite and a pile of software from Blackbox Solutions Ltd - Designers and manufacturers of the best vehicle diagnostic tools.. You can then do your own maintenance with relative ease. The EAS is SIMPLE to repair when you have the equipment. I've done two now. (My previous 94 classic vogue & my current P38 vogue). They each cost me about AU$100 for parts to repair the valve block and compressor, add AU$600 for FOUR airbags and my labour which is free to me

Generally speaking, the other bits, like the solenoids, the driver pack (the bit that is "potted" in some plastiky stuff) and the EAS computer don't fail. They can of course be a part of the problem and may be expensive to replace but this is not the usual fault.

Personally I would NEVER change from EAS to springs. I have found that most Landrover dealers are too scared of the EAS or lack the knowledge on how to repair this SIMPLE system. In so doing they have almost single handedly deterred many prospective RR buyers.

It's not THAT hard!

Hope this helps.

I have some other photos I can post if you need more info, let me know.

 

[Peter Sanders]

Cheers all, the 3 grand was for everything else that they said was wrong with it included. They was loads of stuff, I really don't wan to get rid though. I will just grin and get it done one thing at a time.

Hi

I'd be interested to know just what "they" said needed repairs and the pricing of each item

 

[marcinbrighton]

Hi

I'd be interested to know just what "they" said needed repairs and the pricing of each item

+1 on that!

 

[desertdude]

Don't you just love these grubby grease monkeys, makes the stealers look like angels. I'd instantly pack up everthing and tell them hand over you car back to you, give them a fiver for your their troubles.

If you can change a spare tyre, you can most a lot of the work yourself. Get a copy of the RAVE manual and buy a decent set of spanners

 

[Datatek]

You can swap your sensors from side to side. They then use the "other" side of the sensor. The sensors are (all?) made the same, the variation is really the length of the "rod" that connects it to the RR.

There are two potentiometers (like a volume control) with their own wiper inside the sensor. I have a photo of the insides of a classic sensor, but it's not available to me at the moment - it's at home on my pc.

If you are mechanically and technically able, for MUCH less than 3000 you can buy the Rovacom lite and a pile of software from Blackbox Solutions Ltd - Designers and manufacturers of the best vehicle diagnostic tools.. You can then do your own maintenance with relative ease. The EAS is SIMPLE to repair when you have the equipment. I've done two now. (My previous 94 classic vogue & my current P38 vogue). They each cost me about AU$100 for parts to repair the valve block and compressor, add AU$600 for FOUR airbags and my labour which is free to me

Generally speaking, the other bits, like the solenoids, the driver pack (the bit that is "potted" in some plastiky stuff) and the EAS computer don't fail. They can of course be a part of the problem and may be expensive to replace but this is not the usual fault.

Personally I would NEVER change from EAS to springs. I have found that most Landrover dealers are too scared of the EAS or lack the knowledge on how to repair this SIMPLE system. In so doing they have almost single handedly deterred many prospective RR buyers.

It's not THAT hard!

Hope this helps.

I have some other photos I can post if you need more info, let me know.

Swapping sensors from side to side depends on the year.
Rovercom is obsolete It was superceeded years ago by Faultmate. Nanocom is now the best DIY diagnostic device for the P38. For the EAS, cable and software from me for £11 plus P&P and you can diagnose the problem. Odds are it's corroded connectors to the sensor rather than the sensors themselves or leaking airsprings.
You can completetely overhaul the EAS for around £350

 

[kevwill]

Drove a mates P38 converted to springs which he was happy with. But compared to my (working) air suspension I thought it was horrible. You can get the air suspension completely overhauled for less than the cost of converting.
Check the sensor connections first before replacing.
Get a cable and software from Datatek for your laptop.
What are the other things that need doing that they needed 3k for??

 

[Wall]

Hi again, some of the other problems that made the repairs so pricy were,
A deteriorating brake line, or pipe. I'm sure they said 300 pound for this.
A deteriorating fuel pipe, again 300 pound for this.
Front left light casing is cracked, over 150 for this.
They said oil was leaking into engine, not sure on the technical details.
Exhaust blowing. It sounds ok to me, but I'm not a mechanic.
The EAS was 700.
It balances out after 5-10 min, sometimes longer if I've done a long journey and stopped for a coffee. I'm not afraid to get my hands dirty and have a go at anything, the diagnostic eqpt is expensive though or am I looking in all the wrong places.
Sorry if I sound dumb on the matter, I'm just learning and I'm eager to get as much info as possible before I go handing my hard earned cash over to a grease monkey if I can do it myself.

 

[Wall]

Another thing that I failed to mention is it has just had 12 months mot put on it before I bought it 10 days ago. This is why I bought it and now this garage is telling me all this stuff is wrong with it.

 

[kevwill]

Hi again, some of the other problems that made the repairs so pricy were,
A deteriorating brake line, or pipe. I'm sure they said 300 pound for this.
A deteriorating fuel pipe, again 300 pound for this.
Front left light casing is cracked, over 150 for this.
They said oil was leaking into engine, not sure on the technical details.
Exhaust blowing. It sounds ok to me, but I'm not a mechanic.
The EAS was 700.
It balances out after 5-10 min, sometimes longer if I've done a long journey and stopped for a coffee. I'm not afraid to get my hands dirty and have a go at anything, the diagnostic eqpt is expensive though or am I looking in all the wrong places.
Sorry if I sound dumb on the matter, I'm just learning and I'm eager to get as much info as possible before I go handing my hard earned cash over to a grease monkey if I can do it myself.

Brake/fuel pipes straightforward to do with some basic tools.
You should be able to pick up a light fitting easily enough and diy.
'Oil leaking into engine'?? Oil in the engine is where it belongs. What do they mean?? Oil in cooling system, head gasket??
As said, if you have a laptop, then get hold of a cable/software from Datatek (cheaper than a bottle of decent French wine). You'll be able to diagnose, re calibrate etc.
Download a copy of RAVE. The bible for RR owners.
If you have to go to the garage everytime, IT WILL cost you a fortune.

 

[Wall]

2 of the tyres also need changing, went to a garage for 1 less than a week ago and got charged 130 for an alright tyre, is there a way of buying tyres and doing myself or do you need the special eqpt of a garage.

 

[kevwill]

Another thing that I failed to mention is it has just had 12 months mot put on it before I bought it 10 days ago. This is why I bought it and now this garage is telling me all this stuff is wrong with it.

Think they're after some extra dosh for their Christmas party. If the exhaust had a hole in it (apart from the 2 at the back end) it would have failed emmissions for MOT.

 

[kevwill]

2 of the tyres also need changing, went to a garage for 1 less than a week ago and got charged 130 for an alright tyre, is there a way of buying tyres and doing myself or do you need the special eqpt of a garage.

I'm struggling to keep up. Always get tyres fitted professionally; dont even think about it.

 

[Wall]

Kevwill, where do I download that rave manuel please, you said basic tools, are you talking hundreds of pounds for these, and thank you for your time in replying.

 

[stjohnsmythe]

Another thing that I failed to mention is it has just had 12 months mot put on it before I bought it 10 days ago. This is why I bought it and now this garage is telling me all this stuff is wrong with it.

What advisories did you get on the MOT? That will tell you what actually needs attention.