P38A Range rover p38a 2.5 engine failure

Well my p38 went bang on the m1 the other day, noticed a tapping noise coming from the engine and was smoking a little more than usual but drove fine, almost seemed like it was out of timing. Gave it some revs going about 50mph and a bang followed by a crunch and tons of smoke out the exhaust. No power when I put revs on and stalled while still in drive when I came to a stop.
I'm thinking it might be snapped timing chain or tappets but haven't managed to look at the engine yet. It seems to turn over but wont try to start.

Also does anyone know any mechanics that are good with p38s in yorkshire.

We seem to be having a few Dervs dying recently

Someone will be alone shortly that knows the lump that festers under your bonnet

What mileage were you at?
If chains have gone will be considerable damage, if you are lucky it may be repairable but in this case I guess no, Seems like an apocalyptic clonk

Any pics of the devastation? (on the P38 not your face)
2nd hand engines bout £700 on the bay. Then you’ll have to put it in.

I would guess timing chain failure. Crank the engine and look through the oil filler to see if the cam is turning.

Engines at about 110k and yeah it did sound expensive ‍ don't have any pics at the moment by the time I got it off the motorway i had been there about 6h. I've left it to think about its actions

Well quick update someone's had a look at it and thinks the diesel injector pump has blown due to the ronbox I've got fitted on it, says the top of the engine is fine but hasn't checked the lower chain that goes to the FIP. Cheapest pump I can find recon is 550 off ebay

BigAd said:

Well quick update someone's had a look at it and thinks the diesel injector pump has blown due to the ronbox I've got fitted on it, says the top of the engine is fine but hasn't checked the lower chain that goes to the FIP. Cheapest pump I can find recon is 550 off ebay

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The Ronbox should not cause the FIP to fail, my money is still on the chain. As I said, crank the engine and look and see if the cam is turning.

Datatek said:

The Ronbox should not cause the FIP to fail, my money is still on the chain. As I said, crank the engine and look and see if the cam is turning.

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The cam is turning and all the chains are intact it cranks over nicely but no sign of fuel to the engine. All the top end looks Bob on I wonder if the box just helped the FIP on it's way out.
At this point I'm just happy it's not sounding like an engine swap.

I'd be inclined to get a compression test done before spending on it.
I had a derv omega and two of the injector tips snapped off for some reason and trashed the bores pistons and head.

Good point I'll get one done in case but my mechanic has Inspected the top of the engine and it looks good

110K is not a lot.
No doubt your chains have a bit of stretch in them but should be okay for a bit. Sometimes it can jump a tooth which is not what you want.
Hopefully the FIP sprocket is okay, you will need the correct sprocket holder for when you take the FIP off to change or you may cock your timing up
Set the static timing on the new FIpump should run sweet. (Dti gauge and flywheel pin)

Be careful where you source a recon unit. They are pricey and there are different levels of recon depending what sort of fool expertise the person that did the job is.
I’ve kept mine together with spit and gaffer tape and was advised DJones mancland replacement at about £7-800 exchange

Have you checked bfoe fuel from the lift pump as per Wammers How To?

I wonder if it jumped a tooth and that's what caused it to go bang, it was making a tapping noise for a week or so, smoking more than usual and was a pig to start, the tapping noise started on the same day I found out one of the power steering hoses that come out the reservoir had been sitting against a belt and ****ed power steering fluid out all over the engine bay. Don't know if that was just coincidence or the cause of the issue.

Grrrrrr said:

Have you checked bfoe fuel from the lift pump as per Wammers How To?

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No do you have a link

I also noticed randomly the revs on the counter would drop to zero while driving around

Hunting around for low revs is a sign of FIP issues.
Wammers how to is in tech section top of page in RR section

this Is lift pump check

https://www.landyzone.co.uk/land-ro...ing-lift-pump-to-bleed-injection-pump.182959/
Thank Wammers.

BigAd said:

I also noticed randomly the revs on the counter would drop to zero while driving around

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that would be the sign of an electrical problem. Is the carpet and/or the underlay wet in the drivers footwell?

Becm is bone dry

BigAd said:

I also noticed randomly the revs on the counter would drop to zero while driving around

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Does it happen in reality or just the instrument dial?