P38A I'm back! And it's back too......

Hello All,

I've been away doing some sightseeing but I'm back now.
@Saint.V8 @Datatek @wammers @ukadamwest and @martyuk I hope and trust you all missed me!

My P38 has been standing idle in @Grrrrrr 's back garden for over a year. She survived pretty well, I had to clean some light mold off the leather and give it a good clean inside and out, but other than that it's all good.

With some new petrol and a battery charge she fired right up after only a few tries..... and then died. It keeps starting and then just cuts out after about 5 seconds. If you give it some gas and keep cranking it'll fire up eventually and then settle down to a smooth idle and drive just fine. If you switch off, the same thing happens all over again, starts up and dies. If you give it a little throttle to get it going it'll keep going.

Any ideas anyone what's afoot? It was running fine when it was parked up.

I have changed the oil and oil filter, air filter, reset the engine adaptive values and cleaned the throttle body with cleaning solution, and been round the engine bay cleaning all the electrical connectors, and tidying up generally.

No fault codes come up on the Nanocom.

I'd be interested to know what anyone thinks might help? I've given it a short run up and down the road, but nothing at prolonged high speed...

Sounds like your fault is having the wrong engine

Datatek said:

Sounds like your fault is having the wrong engine

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I probably do @Datatek ! But can you tell me why this one won't start? I'm thinking the idle control valve perhaps...

IACV playing up would be my guess, she did throw a code though.

mine was a pig to start..

this was it on a good day!!

Fuel rail pressure relief valve stuck or weak spring maybe?
Can you check fuel rail pressure on nanocom?

Could also be duff 1 yr old petrol.

the stuff turns to spicy water in about 6 months

Welcome back.

Suitably missed !!

So Grrr didn't clean polish and run it for you occasionally? what a swizz!

Aside from the other suggestions try getting some fresh fuel in it. Maybe change the fuel filter too

welcome back MrGorsky , try taking maff of get some electrical contact spray ,give good soaking inside where wire is and very gently clean wire /sensor with a q-tip / cotton buds then allow to dry and then give it a start see if any difference , also agree with others drain off petrol and refill with fresh , best of luck kind regards Mozz

You checked plugs n points, would only need clean maybe.

Welcome back buddy.....As mentioned - Sticky IACV or now a dead MAF....Engine will die once it reaches 500rpm if the MAF is duff...but if you hold the revs up for a few seconds to stop it dieing, it will eventually settle to a good idle....

Grrrrrrr could at least have cleaned the leather for you while it was laid up

First prize goes to @Henry_b . Took the IACV off and gave everything a good clean. She starts right up now with no bother at all and then idles. Hopefully the MOT will go well tomorrow...!

ukadamwest said:

So @Grrrrrr didn't clean polish and run it for you occasionally? what a swizz!

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Not by the looks of things @ukadamwest , not by the looks of things.

Saint.V8 said:

@Grrrrrr could at least have cleaned the leather for you while it was laid up

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That's what I thought @Saint.V8 ! Still you get what you pay for I suppose, a years parking and use of tools and workshop to get her back on the road for free isn't such a bad deal!!

Thanks for all the other suggestions everyone, I did try most of the other suggestions, I think a full tank of new gas is in order tomorrow. I've been in the US for the last year, petrol is about $2.20 a gallon. Less in Texas. It's about the same here right?

By the looks of things it's going to be brakes next....

RangeRoller dt said:

You checked plugs n points, would only need clean maybe.

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points !!

go sit on the naughty step

Is that a Freelander in your signature @Saint.V8 ?

Jesus Christ.

Maybe it just didnt like being left in @Grrrrrr back garden and its sulking.

MrGorsky said:

Is that a Freelander in your signature @Saint.V8 ?

Jesus Christ.

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yep. a lot's changed.. Saint is now in the freelander world called 4potSaint

ukadamwest said:

yep. a lot's changed.. Saint is now in the freelander world called 4potSaint

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I'm still surprised he manages to yoga himself into it

ukadamwest said:

points !!

go sit on the naughty step

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Does that mean I can come out from under the stairs, Or is the step coming in here with me ?

MrGorsky said:

Is that a Freelander in your signature @Saint.V8 ?

Jesus Christ.

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ukadamwest said:

yep. a lot's changed.. Saint is now in the freelander world called 4potSaint

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Henry_b said:

I'm still surprised he manages to yoga himself into it

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The Freebie is the other halfs....I have got my L322 back from her in return.......

And that picture is a realistic look at how i fit in it!

Saint.V8 said:

The Freebie is the other halfs....I have got my L322 back from her in return.......

And that picture is a realistic look at how i fit in it!

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How's the 'lander when compared with the LR/RR's you've owned?

Any comparison?

And yes i can imagine that pic is very accurate.

Henry_b said:

How's the 'lander when compared with the LR/RR's you've owned?

Any comparison?

And yes i can imagine that pic is very accurate.

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It is actually a good little vehicle.....I have to stoop a little to look out the windscreen as the seats are not height adjustable....but they are comfy, although not supportive.

Steering is light but not skitish, more car like.

Loads of internal storage pockets which she loves, boot fits the baby buggy but not a huge amount left once that's in there, roomy in the back even for me...although the front seat has to go quite far forward to accommodate.

Being a 2 litre 4 pot diesel, it is a little sluggish, but trots along nicely around town, albeit a little lacklustre pulling out of junctions, but will happily pottle at motorway speeds without being too stressed about it either.

Ride is supple and a tad wollowy, but not Range Rover Classic with knackered springs and duff shocks wollowy!!

Brakes are good with good feel, Engine bay is spacious with the 4 pots in there. Lacking in toys and creature comforts, but she likes it that way.....

I have driven to Folkstone and back in it (to pick up the roof bars from an Ebayer) and it was comfortable enough for the 100 mile journey - but I wouldn't want to drive it everyday.

Comparing it to a Range Rover is like comparing Oranges and Apples.....They are both fruit, but that is where the similarities end. The Range Rover feels better to drive, more planted (due to its weight and footprint) and has more comfortable seating, with a slightly better driving position....the poke when pulling out is handy at times, and it just wafts along on motorways effortlessly, where the Freebie while not to stressed, is not as happy at motorway cruising for long journeys but is capable to do so.

I am a Range Rover owner and lover through and through.....I will always pick a Range Rover over any other transport (although it is a tight fight between the RR and a 7'er E38 Bimmer I have to say) so the Freebie will always be second best to me.....but (and I never though she would say it) She much prefers the Freebie over the L322....and that is high praise indeed from my other half!