Bultacosherpa
New Member
- Posts
- 5
- Location
- Twickenham, Middx
Hi all - I'm new here but thought I'd follow the "read all the postings and research first" approach before posting:
Been suffering a non starting 2001 P38 with the BMW M51 diesel over Xmas which was finally resolved yesterday after much cursing, merry bloody christmas etc.
But the help of numerous postings on this site was invaluable. So thought I would pull together all the various threads and snippets of info and my own research in the hope that it will save someone the trouble in future, here goes..
1. Dead heater (glow) plugs will create a total none start scenario.
2. If you have 3 or less working plugs it will still not start.
3. Beru plugs are the plugs supplied by LR.
4. Cheaper plugs do work - but you run the risk of damaging them when tightening the 8mm nut that holds down the wire terminal. (Beru are more resilient in this respect appear to be case hardened) Proceed with care.
5. If you use a 12v continuity tester you could still get a current showing on a dead plug.
6. The only real way to ID a dead plug is to remove and bench test with a well charged 12v battery.
7. Top and bottom of it - if she turns over and just coughs, chances are its the heater plugs, so replace them all to be sure. If she just cranks over and over it could be a BECM/ECU problem read on..
8. Oh- remove the inlet manifold its easy - unclamp the big tube marked Turbo Intercooled, pull out the camshaft cover breather, unclip from the rocker cover,lift up the tube, undo12x 12 mm nuts plus the EGR and unclip the tubes beneath. Lift off inlet manifold. Put to one side.(Careful with the rubber seals)
9. Stuff large clean rags into the exposed inlets to stop small items falling into your engine (with ensuing hilarious consequences!)
10. Leave all the diesel injection pipes in place.
11. You will need a deep 12mm socket and a wobble bar extension to get the plugs out.
12. The one behind the Fuel Infection Pump (FIP) is a pain to reach so do it first.
13. While the inlet manifold is off replace all your diesel leak off pipes and the long pipe from the manifold to the fuel filter. (buy 2m of tubing).
14. Ensure you have a healthy battery - this car loves a healthy battery! If in any doubt just buy this one which is unbeatable and fits 100% correctly : Alphaline or Numax C31 1000 nuff said!
15. If the car is locked when you change the battery you will get the Keycode Lockout message - dont worry your car will recognize the key if you open the door manually and insert the key in the ignition (alarm may sound for a few seconds).
16. BECM/ ECU issues if she is just cranking and cranking and you have fuel visible in the curly clear tube between the FIP and the filter, chances are the BECM/ECU has lost its code. You will need a BBS Syncmate or a visit from a mobile LR specialist with Testbook to resolve this (There is no workaround as far as I can see).
Incidentally non-starting P38 diesels seems to be the single greatest source of posting across the interweb relating to this vehicle.
The magic bullet solution if there is one as such: If in doubt get a new battery!
Hope this is of help and thanks everyone who has suffered and solved this problem set in the past.:doh:
Been suffering a non starting 2001 P38 with the BMW M51 diesel over Xmas which was finally resolved yesterday after much cursing, merry bloody christmas etc.
But the help of numerous postings on this site was invaluable. So thought I would pull together all the various threads and snippets of info and my own research in the hope that it will save someone the trouble in future, here goes..
1. Dead heater (glow) plugs will create a total none start scenario.
2. If you have 3 or less working plugs it will still not start.
3. Beru plugs are the plugs supplied by LR.
4. Cheaper plugs do work - but you run the risk of damaging them when tightening the 8mm nut that holds down the wire terminal. (Beru are more resilient in this respect appear to be case hardened) Proceed with care.
5. If you use a 12v continuity tester you could still get a current showing on a dead plug.
6. The only real way to ID a dead plug is to remove and bench test with a well charged 12v battery.
7. Top and bottom of it - if she turns over and just coughs, chances are its the heater plugs, so replace them all to be sure. If she just cranks over and over it could be a BECM/ECU problem read on..
8. Oh- remove the inlet manifold its easy - unclamp the big tube marked Turbo Intercooled, pull out the camshaft cover breather, unclip from the rocker cover,lift up the tube, undo12x 12 mm nuts plus the EGR and unclip the tubes beneath. Lift off inlet manifold. Put to one side.(Careful with the rubber seals)
9. Stuff large clean rags into the exposed inlets to stop small items falling into your engine (with ensuing hilarious consequences!)
10. Leave all the diesel injection pipes in place.
11. You will need a deep 12mm socket and a wobble bar extension to get the plugs out.
12. The one behind the Fuel Infection Pump (FIP) is a pain to reach so do it first.
13. While the inlet manifold is off replace all your diesel leak off pipes and the long pipe from the manifold to the fuel filter. (buy 2m of tubing).
14. Ensure you have a healthy battery - this car loves a healthy battery! If in any doubt just buy this one which is unbeatable and fits 100% correctly : Alphaline or Numax C31 1000 nuff said!
15. If the car is locked when you change the battery you will get the Keycode Lockout message - dont worry your car will recognize the key if you open the door manually and insert the key in the ignition (alarm may sound for a few seconds).
16. BECM/ ECU issues if she is just cranking and cranking and you have fuel visible in the curly clear tube between the FIP and the filter, chances are the BECM/ECU has lost its code. You will need a BBS Syncmate or a visit from a mobile LR specialist with Testbook to resolve this (There is no workaround as far as I can see).
Incidentally non-starting P38 diesels seems to be the single greatest source of posting across the interweb relating to this vehicle.
The magic bullet solution if there is one as such: If in doubt get a new battery!
Hope this is of help and thanks everyone who has suffered and solved this problem set in the past.:doh:
