P38 DSE leaking diesel + HEVAC fault

Hi all,

OK, i'm looking at a P38 DSE and overall its a really nice car. Managed to contact the previous owner who said it is a good, reliable car which he's ran for 10 years and 80k miles without issue.

However, there's three things worth noting from the test drive and would like some advice on:

- During the test drive I stopped and parked up on my mates sloped driveway. Quite a bit of diesel leaked out at this point, dripping all over the front diff and onto the floor. I drove it backed to the 'dealer' (I use the term loosely) and parked on the flat, where there was only a tiny drip. Couldn't see where it was coming from, dealer said maybe the diesel "overflow" or "backflow" pipe or something may have split - does such a thing exist? Is this likely?

- Behind the front diff but in front of the viscous coupling there is a large cylinder running across the car, left to right - what is it? This was covered in an oily substance, where could this be coming from in that location?

- The HEVAC system - seems to work OK, blows hot, not very cold but the previous owner did say the air con needs a regas. However, that little book of doom was in the digital temp/fan speed display - what could cause this?

- Oh, one more - the headunit says "code" something and the previous owner said it didn't work. If I replace this with an aftermarket unit (would like to for the iPod anyway) will this be OK and will it work with the Harmon Kardon sound system?

Cheers!

Diesel leak will most likely be from spill pipes.

wammers said:

Diesel leak will most likely be from spill pipes.

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That was it, spill pipes (I was close with overflow!). What the hell are they?? Are they a big issue?

What year is the p38 mike? Are you paying over the odds? Book of doom on Hevac could mean either just needs re gasing for air con, or if the heaters are not blowing correctly, ie- 1 side cold & 1 side warm, this could be what's called the blend motor, which is a pig to sort.. Some of dashboard has to come off.

MikeV8SE said:

That was it, spill pipes (I was close with overflow!). What the hell are they?? Are they a big issue?

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Pipes that interconnect injectors and return excess fuel spilled on injection back into system. No not a big issue about £5.00 to buy and half hour to replace.

CEZ1869 said:

What year is the p38 mike? Are you paying over the odds? Book of doom on Hevac could mean either just needs re gasing for air con, or if the heaters are not blowing correctly, ie- 1 side cold & 1 side warm, this could be what's called the blend motor, which is a pig to sort.. Some of dashboard has to come off.

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It's a 97 P-reg, a fair price though.

The previous owner said the air con needed regassing, so if that would trigger the book of doom then that probably explains it. Would a regas trigger it then?

wammers said:

Pipes that interconnect injectors and return excess fuel spilled on injection back into system. No not a big issue about £5.00 to buy and half hour to replace.

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OK, that's a relief then. Is there anything else more expensive it could be in that area, or is it one of those things that you are 99% certain it'll be?

Cheers!

MikeV8SE said:

It's a 97 P-reg, a fair price though.

The previous owner said the air con needed regassing, so if that would trigger the book of doom then that probably explains it. Would a regas trigger it then?



OK, that's a relief then. Is there anything else more expensive it could be in that area, or is it one of those things that you are 99% certain it'll be?

Cheers!

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Could be the plastic body of injector number four about £150.00.
Maybe you should have a look.

Great, thanks for your help as ever wammers!!

MikeV8SE said:

- Oh, one more - the headunit says "code" something and the previous owner said it didn't work. If I replace this with an aftermarket unit (would like to for the iPod anyway) will this be OK and will it work with the Harmon Kardon sound system?

Cheers!

Click to expand...

If it's the original head you might be able to get the code from a main stealer or get it unlocked by a specialist. Some specialists will also fit an ipod lead. Otherwise it can be a bit of a jib getting an aftermarket unit to work with the H.K. system which has got amps in each door. You can just bypass these and power the speakers directly.

Lack of aircon gas does not in my experience cause the book symbol to display, much more likely to be a blend motor stuck. Lack of gas in the aircon is often down the the condensor rad having failed, needs a leak test before a re-gas.
Large cylinder??? Not the rear geabox mount I suppose?

As Data stated the most likely cause of the book symbol is the blend motors but a lack of gas can cause it to show.

The condenser usually holes in the top left hand corner, if you remove the front grill 4 screws across the top and 2 at the bottom corners (1 each side) and then remove the 4 bolts holding the slam panel on. If you can see a light green/lime colour stain on the condensers top left corner as you look at it, you need a new condenser and re-gas.

Datatek said:

Lack of aircon gas does not in my experience cause the book symbol to display, much more likely to be a blend motor stuck. Lack of gas in the aircon is often down the the condensor rad having failed, needs a leak test before a re-gas.
Large cylinder??? Not the rear geabox mount I suppose?

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OK, thanks Datatek. Is repairing/replacing the blends motors a DIY job? I've got no problem unbolting the dash and stuff. Is it an expensive fix? I did try them and they seemed to work - blew air onto the windscreen/face/feet when I selected the different directions on the HEVAC panels.

As for the cylinder - no idea, I'm new to P38's :doh:, I only know about the RR Classic's - and don't know much about them!

zzr1200 said:

As Data stated the most likely cause of the book symbol is the blend motors but a lack of gas can cause it to show.

The condenser usually holes in the top left hand corner, if you remove the front grill 4 screws across the top and 2 at the bottom corners (1 each side) and then remove the 4 bolts holding the slam panel on. If you can see a light green/lime colour stain on the condensers top left corner as you look at it, you need a new condenser and re-gas.

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OK, thanks for that. Roughly how much is a new condensor unit? Is it a DIY job to replace?

MikeV8SE said:

OK, thanks for that. Roughly how much is a new condensor unit? Is it a DIY job to replace?

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I purchased a new pattern part from an Ebay dealer local to me. I fitted it and had it re-gased in a local garage. Total cost was about 125.00 GBP.
The Condenser takes about 1.5 hours to replace with coffee/tea breaks.

One tip remove the front grill and see if the 2 air-con pipes (on the right as you look at the front of the vehicle) undo without damaging the threads, if they do your'll also require 2 new air-con pipes.

You have a PM...Sir..

Thanks for PM, that's great!

Have done a deal on the car, should have it in the next couple of days - you heard it here first! Just need to sort the fuel leak now...

Nice one mike.. Get some picks up when ya can..

Better change your sig then

MikeV8SE said:

Thanks for PM, that's great!

Just need to sort the fuel leak now...

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One more tip.

When removing the leak off pipes from the injectors use a Kraft/Stanley type knife to cut along the pipe where it pushes on to the injector, some peeps have been known to snap off the pipe nipple. Then you have to replace the injector and it turns into a 100 quid job....

Thanks zzr1200!

I did speak to a Landy Specialist last night and they said it could be one of two things from that location - either the spill/leak pipes as you guys suggested, but it could also be the injector pump - which is £1,500!!

That obviously makes a massive difference to the buying decision, so how likely is it that an injector pump would fail? In fairness, I've seen them on eBay last night for £225-£275 with 30 day warranties, but even so!

Any thoughts or just go for it anyway?

MikeV8SE said:

Thanks zzr1200!

I did speak to a Landy Specialist last night and they said it could be one of two things from that location - either the spill/leak pipes as you guys suggested, but it could also be the injector pump - which is £1,500!!

That obviously makes a massive difference to the buying decision, so how likely is it that an injector pump would fail? In fairness, I've seen them on eBay last night for £225-£275 with 30 day warranties, but even so!

Any thoughts or just go for it anyway?

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You should be able to get an exchange unit for £500.00 to £600.00 if you shop around. Try diesel Bob for advice.

OK, thanks wammers - so it a failed/leaking injector pump a fairly common/likely problem? Because £500-£600 is still quite a bit!