P38 4.6 videoed loud banging noise when driving.

Lazylabs said:

What full recon engine?

I'm going down to see it tomorrow and discuss way forward.

Looks like the oil feed on number 2 is blocked up or has been. That's where the worst part is. Couple of worn followers.

Good news is the rest of the engine is looking ok. Pressure and seal wise.

Expensive job but once complete I have sorted the cooling system and all other systems are working well. It's a good job I like this car!

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You could always recon your own unit, or have your garage do it.

Saint.V8 said:

If the cam is gone, check the bigends and also the cam bearing shells take a beating if the cam lobes are shot...

Also if there is little oil getting to the cam, the rockers and shafts are gone more than likely.

In essence, I'd reshell the whole engine and any other part in contact with oil!

Sometimes I wish I had persisted more with my 4.0 P38, but at the time and a 9 month old baby, 2 Range Rovers was a handful....

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A 9 month year old baby is a handful. A Range Rover is a handful. A baby and a Range Rover is an armful.

Grrrrrr said:

A 9 month year old baby is a handful. A Range Rover is a handful. A baby and a Range Rover is an armful.

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What's happened to the world, babies are women's work, Range Rovers are men's work, simples. Time to get the tin hat out.

tomcat59alan said:

What's happened to the world, babies are women's work, Range Rovers are men's work, simples. Time to get the tin hat out.

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lots of wimens drive l/rs now due to the new line up, i followed a 15 plate discovery sport yesterday looked the same a a pukevoke & rr sport infact they all have the same backside imo

tomcat59alan said:

What's happened to the world, babies are women's work, Range Rovers are men's work, simples. Time to get the tin hat out.

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I think you are safe. All the women are in the Gaylander section.

Well a 3 y/o and a 13 month old don't add up to a lot of time in the garage...

Been down to have a look it today. Definitely knackered.. follower on number 4 cylinder is hardly lifting at all. Number 2 cylinder is nice and black... The rest of them are lifting varying amounts.

Cylinders look good, even some honing marks on the cylinder.. not sure if its had new rings or some work on them in the past as looks like they been honed at some point. Trying to clarify with previous owners. All in all not bad for 17 year old.

Work going ahead.. can't wait to have it back...

Update: New camshaft, followers etc installed.
Heads we checked and way out so have been skimmed.

Old camshaft is a joke.. no wonder I was lacking a bit of power when towing, although I read these v8's are good a compensating for failures... This one must have been compensating well.








Another day or so and she will be ready to go again...

Christ they must make the cams out of some rubbish steel .

Get a magnet on an extending stick or bendable shaft and rummage around - think you'll find a foreign body has caused the trauma to the torque converter.
If you haven't got said magnet, Machine Mart sell them.

Fergie46 said:

Get a magnet on an extending stick or bendable shaft and rummage around - think you'll find a foreign body has caused the trauma to the torque converter.
If you haven't got said magnet, Machine Mart sell them.

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Thanks, been through this and nothing found, think what ever it was that caused the marks was previous to this issue. Torque converter and flexplate all good. Bolts all tight.

Camshalf is well banjoed, not the first one I've seen like that.
Am just thinking that the racket whilst driving was unburnt fuel igniting in the header?
Sounds so much like an old two stroke engine ticking over, irregular beat.

Fergie46 said:

Camshalf is well banjoed, not the first one I've seen like that.
Am just thinking that the racket whilst driving was unburnt fuel igniting in the header?
Sounds so much like an old two stroke engine ticking over, irregular beat.

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Yes I believe so. Number 4 cylinder is black.. evidence of unburnt fuel due to not enough air getting in. Would explain why my mpg has been shocking as I believe these engines compensate for weaknesses so throwing more fuel in to keep up with the power required. I always thought it was a little under powered, especially when towing up a hill but been years since I drove one of these so nothing to compare to.

Hoping for major improvements all around when its back... as car is pretty much new now with all the work I done on it before this issue.

Well new camshaft installed, heads skimmed and front end rebuilt etc..... The Verdict...

Its like a new car.. unbelievable the difference. Totally smooth, lots more power especially in mid-range. Quicker pickup and response. Not running rich anymore. No more vibrations at idle.

Money well spent.. time for a trip to the body shop once its earned its keep on 2 week holiday...

Cheers for all the suggestions and advice etc..this problem is now officially over...

Good to hear its all sorted