P38A P38 DSE fires but won't start

Hello all, I'm having problems with my 1998 P38 DSE diesel.
I have just refitted the head due to head gasket failure, everything went together properly but for the last tightening sequence you are supposed to start engine let it warm and then when cold finish tightening the head (extra 90°).
Problem is it won't start, in tank pump is working I am getting plenty of fuel to the filter, no bubbles in the clear pipe the goes to FIP, bled off fuel at injector unions not sure there is enough pressure tho, and when I go to start it it fires up a bit for a couple of seconds while still being cranked on the starter motor and then nothing, engine still cranking on the starter motor but no sign of life.
I have repeated this times thinking it will go but no, fires a bit and then nothing.
Any help would be much appreciated I really don't know where to go from here and I would like the car back in service asap.

Many thanks
Cheers
Louis.

Reconnected glow plugs?

Flossie said:

Reconnected glow plugs?

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Yes forgot to mention that but glow plugs are relatively new and are getting power

Personally, I would try a blast of Easy Start into the filter box and see if it runs.
Are you sure the injector pipes are in the right order? It is very easy to cross over a couple of them, there was a post a while ago with the same symptoms and it was 2 injector pipes crossed.

Datatek said:

Personally, I would try a blast of Easy Start into the filter box and see if it runs.
Are you sure the injector pipes are in the right order? It is very easy to cross over a couple of them, there was a post a while ago with the same symptoms and it was 2 injector pipes crossed.

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Hi Datatek, I have tried to start it with a bit of brake cleaner because that's all I have but it doesn't change anything, I will have a good look at the injector pipes. I am pretty sure they are in the right place but it's worth being a 100% sure.
By the way I have read a lot of posts that you have responded to and I never knew you where in france, my p38 is a LHD I am in the medoc.

Louis2.5DSE said:

Hi Datatek, I have tried to start it with a bit of brake cleaner because that's all I have but it doesn't change anything, I will have a good look at the injector pipes. I am pretty sure they are in the right place but it's worth being a 100% sure.
By the way I have read a lot of posts that you have responded to and I never knew you where in france, my p38 is a LHD I am in the medoc.

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I have been in France for 23 years. I have 2 running P38's a LHD and a RHD plus a RHD scrapper.
I don't know what brake cleaner is but if it will not run on Easy Start or similar, then I would say the valve timing is out.

Datatek said:

I have been in France for 23 years. I have 2 running P38's a LHD and a RHD plus a RHD scrapper.
I don't know what brake cleaner is but if it will not run on Easy Start or similar, then I would say the valve timing is out.

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I have the kit to lock the flywheel and the cam shaft in place so the timing should be right, I didn't do anything to the FIP to do the job so that should still be set up correctly and the car ran very well before but I need to dig deeper the weather is getting colder and I would like the car back in service.
If you have a scrapper that might interest me, I hit a deer before the head gasket problem and I am looking for a bumper, grill and LH indicator ?

Louis2.5DSE said:

I have the kit to lock the flywheel and the cam shaft in place so the timing should be right, I didn't do anything to the FIP to do the job so that should still be set up correctly and the car ran very well before but I need to dig deeper the weather is getting colder and I would like the car back in service.
If you have a scrapper that might interest me, I hit a deer before the head gasket problem and I am looking for a bumper, grill and LH indicator ?

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You have the correct kit to time the camshaft?
I have used the parts you mention resurrecting the LHD P38 that had been abandoned in a vineyard.

Louis2.5DSE said:

I have the kit to lock the flywheel and the cam shaft in place so the timing should be right, I didn't do anything to the FIP to do the job so that should still be set up correctly and the car ran very well before but I need to dig deeper the weather is getting colder and I would like the car back in service.
If you have a scrapper that might interest me, I hit a deer before the head gasket problem and I am looking for a bumper, grill and LH indicator ?

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You put the shim in when locking the crankshaft back in place? Think it was something like 10 thou thick? High pressure pipes from the FIP in the right order? Didn't damage the wire on injector #4 when refitting?

If it won't run on brake cleaner or easy start then go back to the timing.

Datatek said:

You have the correct kit to time the camshaft?
I have used the parts you mention resurrecting the LHD P38 that had been abandoned in a vineyard.

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I have used the kit I have before when I replaced the two timing chains in the past and it started immediately no problem

Grrrrrr said:

You put the shim in when locking the crankshaft back in place? Think it was something like 10 thou thick? High pressure pipes from the FIP in the right order? Didn't damage the wire on injector #4 when refitting?

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Injector #4 is new (2000 Kms old) and it ran fine, wire and plug are OK. I didn't put the shim in but the timing chains only have 2000 kms and I rebuilt it without a shim in the past (when I changed the chains) and had no problem stating it. If I understood the manual correctly you don't need to put a shim or feeler gauge under the tool if you're timing chains have less than 200000 kms ??

Mark Piercy said:

If it won't run on brake cleaner or easy start then go back to the timing.

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I will have to make sure everything is right but I don't understand how I could of got it wrong with the proper tools I have used before and had no problem with ?

Thank you for all your replies and any other advice is welcome but I can't try anything and til this weekend, I am open to any other ideas tho !

Louis2.5DSE said:

Injector #4 is new (2000 Kms old) and it ran fine, wire and plug are OK. I didn't put the shim in but the timing chains only have 2000 kms and I rebuilt it without a shim in the past (when I changed the chains) and had no problem stating it. If I understood the manual correctly you don't need to put a shim or feeler gauge under the tool if you're timing chains have less than 200000 kms ??

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Correct.

I believe there is a point in the flywheel just before the correct timing pin hole that can catch a lot of people out thinking its locked up right, and can you feel the fuel stop solenoid klicking, you may need an extra parson to help with that.

About an hour an half from us then

Louis2.5DSE said:

Hi Datatek, I have tried to start it with a bit of brake cleaner because that's all I have but it doesn't change anything, I will have a good look at the injector pipes. I am pretty sure they are in the right place but it's worth being a 100% sure.
By the way I have read a lot of posts that you have responded to and I never knew you where in france, my p38 is a LHD I am in the medoc.

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What's with the repeat posting??

brianp38dse said:

I believe there is a point in the flywheel just before the correct timing pin hole that can catch a lot of people out thinking its locked up right, and can you feel the fuel stop solenoid klicking, you may need an extra parson to help with that.

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I do know about that extra slot in the flywheel but having had the head of with the locking pin still in place I can definitely confirm pistons 1 and 6 where definitely at TDC. I have run a feed directly from the battery to the full cut of solenoid and it is definitely clicking and when I hook it back up to it's real plug with somebody else turning the ignition on I can also hear it.