front driveshaft

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guzet-neige84

New Member
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hi,i wonder if anyone could please help me with some info?i bought a p38 1996 recently,and when under it a few days ago it looked to me,not a mechanic,that there was something missing between gearbox and front axle on the n/s front.should this space have a driveshaft?does the p38 require two front driveshafts,and if so is it an easy job to fit a replacement?sorry if this seems a stupid question but its my first range rover and im still trying to learn all about it.also my temp gauge was in the blue and i fitted a new thermostat and for two days it went half way but again it has dropped to blue and will not rise.i had renewed antifreeze,would there be an airlock in the system,and if so what would be the best way to mremedy that?hope i have made sense and i thank you for taking the time to read my problems.all best,paul
 
guzet-neige84 said:
hi,i wonder if anyone could please help me with some info?i bought a p38 1996 recently,and when under it a few days ago it looked to me,not a mechanic,that there was something missing between gearbox and front axle on the n/s front.should this space have a driveshaft?does the p38 require two front driveshafts,and if so is it an easy job to fit a replacement?sorry if this seems a stupid question but its my first range rover and im still trying to learn all about it.also my temp gauge was in the blue and i fitted a new thermostat and for two days it went half way but again it has dropped to blue and will not rise.i had renewed antifreeze,would there be an airlock in the system,and if so what would be the best way to mremedy that?hope i have made sense and i thank you for taking the time to read my problems.all best,paul
Click to expand...

Do you have a prop shaft from gearbox to front axle? If it is missing odds on it has been removed because viscous coupling is seized. There should be one propshaft to rear axle and one to front axle. Sounds like either your new thermostst is stuck open (unusual) or the viscous fan is seized. Does the engine make a roaring sound when revved?
 
thanks for replying with help guys.is it the propshaft and not a driveshaft?where a part is missing at front has a flange with 4 holes,same at other end though it looks like the shaft has sheared from that end to gearbox.i cant tell if stat is stuck open,new one came in the protective heart,is there a way to tell?yes the engine sounds quite loud but i took it as just being normal for a 4.0 engine,it has a good rip when you press accelerator pedal.thanks so much for help today,if you can think of any solution to this message i would really appreciate your thoughts.
 
p.s. would it be unwise to source and fit another propshaft?what would be the best thing to do before fitting another one?would not having a front propshaft be damaging the car now,and would not being able to drive on fourwheel drive be using excess amount of petrol?many thanks
 
As Wammers says there should be one prop-shaft from front of transfer box to front axle, and another to rear axle. If you have a circular flange with 4 holes in it visible on left rear of front axle this is where the front prop should be. If missing it`s probably to camouflage a faulty viscous coupling in the transfer box. £350-ish for the part plus £90-ish for prop. But you do seem unsure of yourself so I would suggest looking for someone local to you that may help. (put your location on your profile).
A new thermostat is unlikely to be faulty but can be tested in a jug of water. Hot water it opens; cold water it closes.
Try goggling "viscous fan" for description of how/why/what they are. Then search threads on this site.
 
You can drive ok without front prop. Rear-wheel drive only, but if (as it seems) you`re near Andorra this ain`t a sensible option. Fuel consumption is not going to be much affected, but it will be affected if your engine is not reaching correct working temp. Engines running cold will drink fuel and wear prematurely. Rangies tho` are never economical.
 
thanks very much gtland,i will look into it more.yes i need to get the engine temperature up as its running cold and using lots of fuel.i appreciate your help.ps. i live in south west scotland,my user name is where i saw robert millar win a stage of the tour de france:)
 
Cool running. With engine switched off grip the engine fan and try to turn it, after initial resistance it should turn quite freely when engine is cold. If it does not free off after a few turns and remains very stiff or cannot be turned at all you need a new viscous fan coupling. It being seized will cause over cooling in this present cold weather. And load the engine causing together with cool running high fuel consumption.
 
thanks very much wammers for the valuable information you have given me,and also the others who were of help before.THANKS
 
hi,after all the information ive read would it be worth fitting a new viscous coupling and front propshaft to see if this solves the underheating and 4x4 driving problems i have?what i can gather its likely viscous coupling has seized so running engine cool and my p38 had front prop taken off to mask this?if anyone could please confirm that this is the correct thinking before i buy anything and make a start.many thanks.
 
guzet-neige84 said:
hi,after all the information ive read would it be worth fitting a new viscous coupling and front propshaft to see if this solves the underheating and 4x4 driving problems i have?what i can gather its likely viscous coupling has seized so running engine cool and my p38 had front prop taken off to mask this?if anyone could please confirm that this is the correct thinking before i buy anything and make a start.many thanks.
Click to expand...

No there are two totally different viscous couplings one is in transfer box that is most likely seized and reason for prop being removed. Other viscous coupling is in radiator fan. If that is seized it will cause engine to run cool and use more fuel. Try to turn it with your hand if it is very stiff or cannot be turned it is seized. Other viscous coupling is a bit more of a job to change and a lot more expensive.
 
thanks for such a quick reply wammers,i will brave the snow tomorrow and try that.of the two probs i would rather fix the viscous in fan to make the fuel use better.i will let you know what happens.thank again for your help:)
 
hi datatec,thanks for reply.can i ask,why would a new thermostat stick when just new?how would i test it to see if faulty,it being in the plastic heart?i put an old stat in water years ago from my capri but it was just the stat itself.the heart has 4 pipes going to it.any help would be appreciated.
 
hi mate i have the same p38 199 my front propshaft snapped about 1 month ago and i am still using mine as normal alothough this bad snow makes it a very dangearous car , ihave seen loads on ebay for 30 to 50 quid from breakers this would be fine ..
as for air locks in your system what i surgest is .....get hold of a large soda bottle and fill it up with water to 3 quarts then remove your filler cap off your water bottle on your car
start the car and place the water bottle in the filler hole let as the car warms up and water is moved round your engine air will be removed from your system let it run and water in the bottle will be replaced with air from your system hope this helps
 
thanks chip2366,i shall try that out as there does seem to be bubbles in reservoir when i press a hose.thanks for your email.:)
 
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