P38A P38 eas issues

LR-hobbs · 2025-07-14T15:37:44+0100

I have just replaced the compressor in my P38 after it recently dropped to the bump stops , it still will not rise and the new compressor is very hot. It's not a hard fault as I have no lights on the dash and the eas switch doesn't have all 4 lights on

Any suggestions will be helpful.

P.s I also have a set of air bags coming

pwood999 · 2025-07-14T15:48:22+0100

Take the little exhaust filter out & check if there's air from the port while pump is running. If there is, then the diaphragm valve is leaking. That valve is on the same 12V that the pump uses, so it should engage together with the pump power.

It's all in the System Info Doc (see technical archive), but this diagram explains what happens when the pump is filling the tank.

Also do it with driver's doo open, so the ECU doesn't try to raise yet, and all the air goes into the tank.

LR-hobbs · 2025-07-14T15:52:32+0100

pwood999 said:
Take the little exhaust filter out & check if there's air from the port while pump is running. If there is, then the diaphragm valve is leaking. That valve is on the same 12V that the pump uses, so it should engage together with the pump power.

Just to be sure you mean this right ?

LR-hobbs · 2025-07-14T15:57:42+0100

pwood999 said:
Take the little exhaust filter out & check if there's air from the port while pump is running. If there is, then the diaphragm valve is leaking. That valve is on the same 12V that the pump uses, so it should engage together with the pump power.

It's all in the System Info Doc (see technical archive), but this diagram explains what happens when the pump is filling the tank.

Also do it with driver's doo open, so the ECU doesn't try to raise yet, and all the air goes into the tank.

View attachment 345383

After I installed I ran the car for 10 mins with the door open and still didn't rise , I took that off and I could feel air put my finger on the port it made a bit of suction.

pwood999 · 2025-07-14T15:58:19+0100

No that's the compressor inlet filter. The exhaust silencer (not filter - my bad) is at the back of the block. It just unscrews by hand.

LR-hobbs · 2025-07-14T16:07:42+0100

pwood999 said:
No that's the compressor inlet filter. The exhaust silencer (not filter - my bad) is at the back of the block. It just unscrews by hand.

View attachment 345386

I can feel air out of that also , put my finger on it and you can hear the air noise change. Thanks mate god send

What's the best step from here ? Is it a rebuild of the valve block?

Datatek · 2025-07-14T16:12:59+0100

LR-hobbs said:
Just to be sure you mean this right ?

No, that is the air intake filter for the compressor.

Datatek · 2025-07-14T16:14:18+0100

LR-hobbs said:
I can feel air out of that also , put my finger on it and you can hear the air noise change. Thanks mate god send

What's the best step from here ? Is it a rebuild of the valve block?

Any signs of white powder when you took the silencer off?

pwood999 · 2025-07-14T16:18:52+0100

+1 on check for white powder - if there is the dryer is breaking down & either needs replacing, or new dessicant.

Diaphragm leaking could be either dryer powder preventing it from closing, or a split in the diaphragm.

Full valve block rebuild is often a good idea, but without taking it apart you cannot tell - hence do it anyway !!

There's a good guide here https://paulp38a.com/range-rover-p38/eas-valve-block-renew/

LR-hobbs · 2025-07-14T16:22:21+0100

pwood999 said:
+1 on check for white powder - if there is the dryer is breaking down & either needs replacing, or new dessicant.

Diaphragm leaking could be either dryer powder preventing it from closing, or a split in the diaphragm.

Full valve block rebuild is often a good idea, but without taking it apart you cannot tell - hence do it anyway !!

There's a good guide here https://paulp38a.com/range-rover-p38/eas-valve-block-renew/

no white powder thankfully.

pwood999 · 2025-07-14T16:26:31+0100

So with exhaust leaking while pump is running the diaphragm almost certainly needs doing. It was probably that failing that killed the old pump.

Valve block has to come out to do it as the valve sits between the blocks highlighted below. The solenoid is the one top left in that picture, and is the only one in the system that uses 12V directly (in parallel with pump wires).

LR-hobbs · 2025-07-14T17:38:06+0100

pwood999 said:
So with exhaust leaking while pump is running the diaphragm almost certainly needs doing. It was probably that failing that killed the old pump.

Valve block has to come out to do it as the valve sits between the blocks highlighted below. The solenoid is the one top left in that picture, and is the only one in the system that uses 12V directly (in parallel with pump wires).

View attachment 345389

Right , rebuild kit is on the way .

Seems reasonable to understand, makes sense if it's leaks as it took ages to change heights when it was working

Datatek · 2025-07-14T17:51:36+0100

LR-hobbs said:
Right , rebuild kit is on the way .

Seems reasonable to understand, makes sense if it's leaks as it took ages to change heights when it was working

Either do the solenoids one at a time or carefully mark each one with the place it fits. All too easy to get them muddled.

doriz · 2025-07-14T18:08:47+0100

pwood999 said:
So with exhaust leaking while pump is running the diaphragm almost certainly needs doing. It was probably that failing that killed the old pump.

Valve block has to come out to do it as the valve sits between the blocks highlighted below. The solenoid is the one top left in that picture, and is the only one in the system that uses 12V directly (in parallel with pump wires).

View attachment 345389

Gorra a full one sat in its plastic housing along with driver for £35

LR-hobbs · 2025-07-14T18:26:04+0100

Datatek said:
Either do the solenoids one at a time or carefully mark each one with the place it fits. All too easy to get them muddled.

Il do it one at a time ,take pictures, and following the guide.

What can happen if you muddle them up?

Datatek · 2025-07-14T19:24:10+0100

LR-hobbs said:
Il do it one at a time ,take pictures, and following the guide.

What can happen if you muddle them up?

It will not work, if ECU wants to lift left rear for example but the wrong solenoid is fitted, it will raise the wrong corner. I number each solenoid with a corresponding number where it fits using a marker pen.

LR-hobbs · 2025-07-14T21:45:06+0100

Datatek said:
It will not work, if ECU wants to lift left rear for example but the wrong solenoid is fitted, it will raise the wrong corner. I number each solenoid with a corresponding number where it fits using a marker pen.

Ah , that makes sense , hopefully I can get this running. I don't want to have to switch to coils.

Mark Piercy · 2025-07-14T21:53:12+0100

LR-hobbs said:
Ah , that makes sense , hopefully I can get this running. I don't want to have to switch to coils.

One step at a time my mate.
Also when you do the diaphragm there also the none return valves.
They sit in the block a certain way, these are something else that can leak but definitely check the diaphragm first as they crack and leak air from the pump to atmosphere.
Patience young jedi, the force is with you here

LR-hobbs · 2025-07-14T22:03:55+0100

Mark Piercy said:
One step at a time my mate.
Also when you do the diaphragm there also the none return valves.
They sit in the block a certain way, these are something else that can leak but definitely check the diaphragm first as they crack and leak air from the pump to atmosphere.
Patience young jedi, the force is with you here

There's enough guides and YouTube videos I should be fine, and t I be honest this forum has helped me more than anything.
Better than my local landy specialist who refused to work on my car , due to " no experience with p38s"

Stanleysteamer · 2025-07-14T22:14:03+0100

LR-hobbs said:
There's enough guides and YouTube videos I should be fine, and t I be honest this forum has helped me more than anything.
Better than my local landy specialist who refused to work on my car , due to " no experience with p38s"

Not a friggin specialist is he then?

P38A P38 eas issues

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