P38 DSE FIP issues

Hi there,

Purchased a P38 dse with known problems around 2 months ago mainly Electrical although had a diesel leak as well. Finally got round to sorting FIP leak, it was from where pump head meets pump body. I also changed the 2 top seal’s as well as marking the pump up carefully. Car previously ran great. After changing seals and reinstalling injection pipes (inlet manifold still off) managed to get car started up, a bit rough and poor idle car will now barley rev when accelerator is pressed. It will max out around 2500/3000 rpm but takes around a minute with accelerator depressed to get there!

I’m now trying to problem-solve,
Could it be air in pump/lines,
Dropped thrust washer in pump when I slackened head, (would car Even run if this happens)?
Misaligned top covers/ not putting peg back in the hole though I was careful and thought I had

It’s time to ask some more knowledgeable folk for there advice.

I knew messing with the pump was a gamble but with such a leak it won’t pass a mot anyway. Car is not in daily use and is a project so I can take time over this.

Any thoughts would be greatly appreciated, especially regarding dropped thrust washer or if you think top covers just aren’t allined well.

Many thanks Jacob

It sounds like the fip head hasn't been put back exactly back in the position it came from, only needs a fraction of a millimeter and it'll run like a pig. Try slackening the bolts and tapping it gently forwards or backwards.

Double check you have the pipes on correctly as it's not hard to get them crossed.
Did you do the FIP in situe?

I’m probably going to look at car again tomorrow eve so can try the tapping method and see the outcome, yep I tackled the seals in situe so ribs are still aching now! I did label the injection pipes near the injectors for each cylinder but didn’t label them on pump as I thought they could only be fitted one way without forcing them into place. It’s possible that they could have ended up on wrong pump outlet. Does anyone have a reference of this?

Thanks so far,

Jacob

JT_spark said:

I’m probably going to look at car again tomorrow eve so can try the tapping method and see the outcome, yep I tackled the seals in situe so ribs are still aching now! I did label the injection pipes near the injectors for each cylinder but didn’t label them on pump as I thought they could only be fitted one way without forcing them into place. It’s possible that they could have ended up on wrong pump outlet. Does anyone have a reference of this?

Thanks so far,

Jacob

Click to expand...

Yes they can end up on the wrong pump outlet, don't ask me how I know

Datatek said:

Yes they can end up on the wrong pump outlet, don't ask me how I know

Click to expand...

Hi All,

Been to look at car again, I checked injection pipes and 3 and 6 had been reversed by me! Once put on correctly idle improved but still low 500rpm and extremely slow to rev up again to 2500 max. Armed with a more positive father at hand he suggested putting inlet manifold back on and everything else. To my surprise all is ok again, 750rpm idle and revs up instantly to full revs. Guess I got lucky on that one! What are dads for!

Thanks for all your suggestions they really helped. Found this pic on another thread which was really useful.


I can now carry on fetteling the old girl.

Thanks again

Good result