P38A P38 DSE fires but won't start

This site contains affiliate links for which LandyZone may be compensated if you make a purchase.
Louis2.5DSE

Louis2.5DSE

Member
Posts
22
Location
France
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.
 
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.
Click to expand...
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.
Click to expand...
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.
Click to expand...
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 ?
Click to expand...
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.
 
Last edited:
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 ?
Click to expand...

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?
 
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.
Click to expand...
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?
Click to expand...
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 ??
 
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 ??
Click to expand...

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.
Click to expand...
 
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.
Click to expand...
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.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

B
P38A Mistery problem
Replies
4
Views
534
Grrrrrr
Grrrrrr
K
P38 2.5TDI won't start
Replies
8
Views
747
Kelvin'D-MiC'
K
F
P38 DSE loss of power when driving
2
Replies
34
Views
2K
Tibo W
T
R
2000 Thor 4.6 fuel/starting problems
Replies
5
Views
526
richardtamps
R
M
no start no crank after button pressed
Replies
10
Views
682
mrmotorvator
M
Back
Top