P38A MPG Worries.

tomcat59alan said:

Check out the technical archive,top left of page think it was wammers posted the relevant info.

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Found it, appreciated. Will perform this test and report back with findings.

As said earlier the liquid around the injector is fuel which has leaked from the spill pipe. If it was not there you would not see the bubbles. With such an insignificant leak fuel CANNOT leak past the injector seal and come up the injector to that point. To try and improve the injector seal, back it off half a turn and torque to 48 lb ft a couple of times. You will need a special socket for injector four.That amount of combustion gas leaking is insignificant to performance.

So the in tank fuel pump would appear to be weaker than it should be (to my surprise as I thought this would result in poor starting).

The pump has put in a good 18 years and 200k miles worth of service, so it was likely long overdue replacement.

I’ve ordered a new one from LR and will report back once I have fitted it (time to start cutting holes in the floor).

alexmcrobbie said:

So the in tank fuel pump would appear to be weaker than it should be (to my surprise as I thought this would result in poor starting).

The pump has put in a good 18 years and 200k miles worth of service, so it was likely long overdue replacement.

I’ve ordered a new one from LR and will report back once I have fitted it (time to start cutting holes in the floor).

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No,drop the tank and check/replace the brake pipes while your at it.

As Alan above said drop the tank , the brake lines run above it and all the muck stays on them, we have had several people on here who have had the brake lines above tank go and its something you don't want as you hit the brake pedal approaching a junction, with the tank out you can make new pipes and fit them easier.

brianp38dse said:

As Alan above said drop the tank , the brake lines run above it and all the muck stays on them, we have had several people on here who have had the brake lines above tank go and its something you don't want as you hit the brake pedal approaching a junction, with the tank out you can make new pipes and fit them easier.

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Especially after 18 yrs and 200k miles.

brianp38dse said:

As Alan above said drop the tank , the brake lines run above it and all the muck stays on them, we have had several people on here who have had the brake lines above tank go and its something you don't want as you hit the brake pedal approaching a junction, with the tank out you can make new pipes and fit them easier.

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Maybe the route differs by age, on both my P38's the pipes are not directly above the tank and can be seen. the failure point has been where the pipe(s) make a 90 degree turn above the cross member. Even with the tank out I couldn't see the failure point easily, just the fluid dripping down.

tomcat59alan said:

No,drop the tank and check/replace the brake pipes while your at it.

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One step ahead of you. The tank was dropped last year to replace the rear brake lines during a big braking system overhaul.

The nearest ramp I have access to is a 2hr drive away, which is why cutting the floor is a more attractive option to me

tomcat59alan said:

Especially after 18 yrs and 200k miles.

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they are on my too do list as the pipes to the axle were an advise on mot so the plan is drop tank change pump while its out replace all the brake lines and hoses and the elbow tank to filler pipe as that looks a bit cracked, should keep me busy for a bit

alexmcrobbie said:

One step ahead of you. The tank was dropped last year to replace the rear brake lines during a big braking system overhaul.

The nearest ramp I have access to is a 2hr drive away, which is why cutting the floor is a more attractive option to me

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Never used a ramp to drop the tanks on both of mine, easy to lower it on a trolley jack as long as its nearly empty.

alexmcrobbie said:

One step ahead of you. The tank was dropped last year to replace the rear brake lines during a big braking system overhaul.

The nearest ramp I have access to is a 2hr drive away, which is why cutting the floor is a more attractive option to me

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Good to go then
I have been thinking of while the tank is out cut the hole and make a nice cover plate ready for next time

brianp38dse said:

Good to go then
I have been thinking of while the tank is out cut the hole and make a nice cover plate ready for next time

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Maybe the P38 was the start of Land rovers make em go to a dealer campaign. Most others have fuel pump access panels

wammers said:

Maybe the P38 was the start of Land rovers make em go to a dealer campaign. Most others have fuel pump access panels

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You could well have hit the nail on the head there.
I was looking at making a nice moulded to fit cover with captive nuts and a nice seal.

alexmcrobbie said:

One step ahead of you. The tank was dropped last year to replace the rear brake lines during a big braking system overhaul.

The nearest ramp I have access to is a 2hr drive away, which is why cutting the floor is a more attractive option to me

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You just need to raise the rear axle a few inches and the tank slides out to the rear.