P38 (PIG) - Update and then Odd stuff.

Following from my 'Out of love' thread, we seem to have sorted most of the issues with P19... When I finally managed to get hold of a code reader which worked, I had a knock sensor Bank B down. Replaced this this afternoon. cleared codes and ran the truck up - No codes showing! OK so far. Still to clear out choked Cats and clean intake system of deposits. Oh yes, as the truck was getting warm (but not overheating), we pulled the radiator to check it. Glad we did as the fins between the rad & the A/C rad were totally clogged with years of debris (ali fins were breaking down too). Not worth cleaning, so dropped in a new radiator today and just off to fill it..

Thanks to all for the help and advice with PIG. Much appreciated

Now on to problem two...

We have a second P38 in the household for our sins (glutton for punishment...) This one is much more of a pavement princess cosmetically; Full Alcantara interior, serious sound system, and loads of engine work (Oh Oh...) GUF originally ran a 4.6 Gems engine. This went bang in a big way some 5 years ago & the then owner replaced the engine with a bored out 4.6 (running closer to 5.0). He spent proper money doing this right. It has a single point LPG system which 'burped' the other week, blowing back through the intake. Having limped home with very lumpy running (on LPG and petrol, as well as being down on power, we stuck the diagnostics on the beast yesterday - to no avail... It didn't even recognise the ecu.

Anyone got any thoughts?

I seem to remember that blowing back through the air-intake was associated with a shagged HT lead letting the angry pixies out in the wrong places.
When mine did it on my Merc 500SEL it blew the air-cleaner off and it thumped the underside of the bonnet.
What dog-nasties are you using?

DanClarke said:

I seem to remember that blowing back through the air-intake was associated with a shagged HT lead letting the angry pixies out in the wrong places.
When mine did it on my Merc 500SEL it blew the air-cleaner off and it thumped the underside of the bonnet.
What dog-nasties are you using?

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Dan, as I recall, it's got a set of Magnecor leads which are only about 18 months old.

If it blew back violently, has it damaged the MAF?

Datatek said:

If it blew back violently, has it damaged the MAF?

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I'm guessing this may well be the case. Unfortunately, as I cannot read the obd system, it's only guesswork. Hopefully someone can advise a solution to this issue so I can diagnose any problems from here on.

I think I'll have to take a punt on a new MAF just in case...

Moosevan said:

I'm guessing this may well be the case. Unfortunately, as I cannot read the obd system, it's only guesswork. Hopefully someone can advise a solution to this issue so I can diagnose any problems from here on.

I think I'll have to take a punt on a new MAF just in case...

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You need a Nanocom

Datatek said:

You need a Nanocom

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I appreciate that it's the best solution. However, funds don't allow for a Nanocom right now as, with the way my truck(s) have been behaving lately, I'm rapidly getting frustrated (expensive fixing other folks foul-ups...) with them. I get the feeling that we acquired both of them at the exact point they needed 'sorting out'. I'm sure, when I've spent enough, they'll be good for some considerable time but right now I couldn't justify the expense on a unit which would probably be sold on fairly soon (I'm that disheartened with them both) - Hindsight is an exact science, but I'd have been far better off just parking my old 89 RRC up till I felt the 'itch' again. At least it would have been simple to fix!

Anyway, I had some very generous offers of Nanocom assistance from several members on here - only problem was... I'm waaaaay down in Herefordshire & they'r way North in Yorkshire & surrounding areas. My only local options seem to be around 75 to 100 Clams each just to hook either vehicle up to download codes.

Anyway, I'll get on with checking the basics in the morning.

Sell it! Find someone who wants that kind of project and let it go for a price that suits.
Maybe a good generic code reader could hook up to the ecu if it's not standard or find the ecu and check for a part number or name and start there.

Mark Piercy said:

Sell it! Find someone who wants that kind of project and let it go for a price that suits.
Maybe a good generic code reader could hook up to the ecu if it's not standard or find the ecu and check for a part number or name and start there.

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Well Mark... Is that an opening bid then?
As far as I know, the engine was hooked into the stock GEMS ECU when it was dropped in & had run for the last 4+ years with no issues. It actually IS one I like and want to sort. As you say, first task is to figure out why diagnostics don't talk. Just thought I'd ask on here first as there are many FAR more knowledgeable folk on here than me.

Aha, so it's a genuine ecu.. Is it ecu communication fault? It could be power supply fault to the ecu?
No chance on an offer buddy, I've two 38's to look after already

A 4.6/5.0 running on single point lpg? Did it run low? It's well known for large backfires on a lean lpg mix. I'm rather surprised they went to all that expense and plumped for an old/single point lpg system

Mark Piercy said:

Aha, so it's a genuine ecu.. Is it ecu communication fault? It could be power supply fault to the ecu?
No chance on an offer buddy, I've two 38's to look after already

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Two's a habit (like ours) 3 makes it a "collection"!

Going to look at the ecu later. Cheers

kermit_rr said:

A 4.6/5.0 running on single point lpg? Did it run low? It's well known for large backfires on a lean lpg mix. I'm rather surprised they went to all that expense and plumped for an old/single point lpg system

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As my son was driving it at the time, I'll need to ask him about fuel states. No idea why he went for single point, but will check. Gives me a start point. Probably a well-knackered MAF as first port of call. Also got to check ECU not talking to obd port.

Don’t forget to get a ‘parts’ car
I know of one V8 specialist in Hereford but I’m not prepared to volunteer him. Don’t think he has diagnostics anyway fixes things old fashioned way. Probably bump into him if you start hanging round car parks in the woods late at night!
OBD ports can be temperamental. Damp corrosion and lack of use seem to make them suffer. There’s a fuse they run through too

Moosevan said:

As my son was driving it at the time, I'll need to ask him about fuel states. No idea why he went for single point, but will check. Gives me a start point. Probably a well-knackered MAF as first port of call. Also got to check ECU not talking to obd port.

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The wires corrode off the back of the OBD connector.

Moosevan said:

As my son was driving it at the time, I'll need to ask him about fuel states. No idea why he went for single point, but will check. Gives me a start point. Probably a well-knackered MAF as first port of call. Also got to check ECU not talking to obd port.

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A healthy backfire will split the airbox, and likely other bits on the way.. worth checking for air leaks.. check the idle air valve too

RangeRoller dt said:

Don’t forget to get a ‘parts’ car
I know of one V8 specialist in Hereford but I’m not prepared to volunteer him. Don’t think he has diagnostics anyway fixes things old fashioned way. Probably bump into him if you start hanging round car parks in the woods late at night!
OBD ports can be temperamental. Damp corrosion and lack of use seem to make them suffer. There’s a fuse they run through too

Click to expand...

Wi

kermit_rr said:

A healthy backfire will split the airbox, and likely other bits on the way.. worth checking for air leaks.. check the idle air valve too

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Will do, thanks.

Datatek said:

The wires corrode off the back of the OBD connector.

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Another one to check. Thanks.

Most generic OBD readers should talk the GEMS ECU, but not the rest of the car.

RangeRoller dt said:

Don’t forget to get a ‘parts’ car
I know of one V8 specialist in Hereford but I’m not prepared to volunteer him. Don’t think he has diagnostics anyway fixes things old fashioned way. Probably bump into him if you start hanging round car parks in the woods late at night!
OBD ports can be temperamental. Damp corrosion and lack of use seem to make them suffer. There’s a fuse they run through too

Click to expand...

Yup, the fuse is number 33 and is 5amp if my memory is correct. check the rear of the obd socket for corrosion. Have you cut out the white connectors at the base of the A posts?