P38A I'm baaaaaccck!!!

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P38Penguin

Active Member
Posts
305
Location
West Midlands
Hi guys, some of you may remember the green disaster I had, well, after what seemed like replacing every part on the car, the head gasket went (possibly a cracked head too). The previous owner did a very good job at not looking after it and I did what I could but ultimately called it a day when that blew.

Fast forward to 2 weeks ago. Found a lovely 1998 (99my) Rioja Red 4.6 HSE, lpg (quite an expensive system by the looks of it). original had book (even the letter from landrover to the new owner!) with a load of service stamps and receipts. It's on 167k but had a replacement engine at 90k.
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The spare is on the front but will get that sorted in the new year.

Overall, I'm very impressed. The engine is smooth and plenty of power when you poke it or burbles along when cruising. Had a few niggles when I got her (wouldn't have expected any less lol).

Idle was rough then decided she'd like to idle at 1500-2000rpm. Whipped the IACV off and that was caked in crud (someone decided they wanted a K&N air filter in, changed to standard now) so cleaned that and the throttle body butterfly valve. Idles perfectly and generally runs a lot better on both petrol and gas.

Fuse 20 in the driver seat fuse box keeps blowing, looks like it's something to do with the passenger seat (seat motor perhaps?)

Back end keeps dropping when parked, had her on ramps today and I'd say the air springs are well past their best (severe cracking of the rubber at the bottom on all four), so a new set will be needed.

She never gets past 1/4 warm so I suspect the thermostat is either stuck open or not there, also found today a set (left to right) of radiator fins were lying on the inner part of the bumper so new rad will be needed, might as well do those at the same time as the coolant will need to be drained.

So far that's it. Pleased as punch tbh, looks stunning in the red :)

Added myself to the member map and can help out on LZIR if needed. Merry Christmas all and a very happy, prosperous and Landy new year :)

Mick
 
why do people fit k and n filters mine a 4.0 thor for 6 months it ran like a dog threw the kn as far as l could fitted a standard filter box and she now runs like a bird and fuel
 
Is that red an original color? Here in Holland they only seem to be blue, black and sometimes green. I've found one white one (rhd) and a orange/yellow one (was in a movie Layer Cake).
 
why do people fit k and n filters mine a 4.0 thor for 6 months it ran like a dog threw the kn as far as l could fitted a standard filter box and she now runs like a bird and fuel
I know, the one in mine was properly soaking with oil, no wonder the idle valve was caked and it doesn't feel any slower for taking it out.

Thanks for all the kind words guys, really impressed with her and aside from a few bit and bobs to do, she's isn't in bad condition. Now I'm hoping it snows :)

Happy new year guys!!!

Mike
 
Fuse 20 in the driver seat fuse box keeps blowing, looks like it's something to do with the passenger seat (seat motor perhaps?)

Fuse 20 does indeed feed the LH seat. It could be something as simple as a pinched wire, or a dodgy relay... I had one where it would blow the fuse ever time you tried to move the seat, because the motor had been jammed up against the end stop, which then stalled and blew the fuse. It shouldn't be too hard to figure out which part of the seat circuit is causing the problem!

Looks like a nice RR otherwise, and yes, a few niggles - but nothing major to worry about it looks like!

Marty
 
Hi Mick,

I may have purchased your 'green disaster'!

My first venture into RR 'perseverance/loyalty testing' is via a very cheap green 'wreck' of a P38 - but I knew what I was 'investing' into and, (in all honesty), the primary objective is to gain some experience of the usual 'issues' before considering something a little newer!

Despite ripping out the interior, (including the BCU, EAS ECU, Tranny ECU, etc), she still started on the first turn of the key without any immobiliser issues whatsoever - ironically!

Your fuse issue should be simple to resolve, (just 4 Torx bolts and two connectors to remove in order to get the seat out), place upside down/sideways on suitable work space, (suitably dressed with sheeting to protect leather), and visually inspect motors and worm drives.

I haven't taken a close look at mine yet, (full memory seats - and everything works - apart from heater elements), but you will be looking for dry/rusty drives, (possibly caused by ingress of liquid - rain water, so drinks, coffee, etc), causing the motor to stall, pinched cables or, (if you are very unlucky a duff motor - although unlkely).

As always, however, there will be others far more experienced in this area, (than myself), who will correct me if I am incorrect!

I am hoping to post a series of articles on my 'RR Exploits', to date, which will probably be in direct competition to the BBC's recent adaption of 'War and Peace' such are the twists and turns of RR ownership!
 
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