P38A Shouldn I buy it!!

Ruby Range · May 2, 2020

Hi guys so I have a L322 2002 vogue which iv spent a fortune on but still love. I still miss my p38 though!! and know where there is a 98 autobiography 4.6 with a genuine 87000 miles on with just a few silly issues. Now I’ve seen these over the last year start going for silly money so for 1200 should I go for it as a weekend dolly trolly or just dream and not waste me money!!!!

kermit_rr · May 2, 2020

Just a few silly issues and low mileage, only £1200
Sounds too good to be true, but I'm old and cynical

Datatek · May 2, 2020

About the right mileage for dropped liners.

Ruby Range · May 2, 2020

Yes I know but iv done a mot check on it and it was laid up for 5 years from 2010 _ 2015. Mileage checks out. Problems are obviously head lining and it needs a new suspension pump. Front diff was replaced last year and occasionally the abs light comes on. These bits don’t worry me and looks in great condition. Have just spoken to the guy and he needs to charge the battery as it’s been sat for about 6 weeks and will take 1150 for it. If it’s as good as he says I’m in the money straight away

Ruby Range · May 2, 2020

Datatek said:
About the right mileage for dropped liners.

Yes I know but in the condition and with the few bits it needs doing and as an autobiography it’s got to be worth it as a garage project surely!!

Dippypud · May 2, 2020

Ruby Range said:
Yes I know but iv done a mot check on it and it was laid up for 5 years from 2010 _ 2015. Mileage checks out. Problems are obviously head lining and it needs a new suspension pump. Front diff was replaced last year and occasionally the abs light comes on. These bits don’t worry me and looks in great condition. Have just spoken to the guy and he needs to charge the battery as it’s been sat for about 6 weeks and will take 1150 for it. If it’s as good as he says I’m in the money straight away

Still go and crawl all over it tho ...

Datatek · May 2, 2020

Ruby Range said:
Yes I know but iv done a mot check on it and it was laid up for 5 years from 2010 _ 2015. Mileage checks out. Problems are obviously head lining and it needs a new suspension pump. Front diff was replaced last year and occasionally the abs light comes on. These bits don’t worry me and looks in great condition. Have just spoken to the guy and he needs to charge the battery as it’s been sat for about 6 weeks and will take 1150 for it. If it’s as good as he says I’m in the money straight away

If the compressor needs to be replaced, budget for new airbags and a valve block overhaul, probably need a new battery and exhaust too.

Ruby Range · May 2, 2020

Will definitely be doing that !! But I cannot believe what these old p38 are now fetching and as I said as a weekend garage project it’s got to be worth a look

Ruby Range · May 2, 2020

It’s on valves at the moment and holds air apparently!!

Datatek · May 2, 2020

Ruby Range said:
Will definitely be doing that !! But I cannot believe what these old p38 are now fetching and as I said as a weekend garage project it’s got to be worth a look

Go for it, I bought a project P38 to play with, as long as you are prepared for the cost of replacing the stuff that will need replacing. Make sure you get 2 key FOB's, if only one try to knock the price down on the basis that a second FOB will cost close to £300.

Datatek · May 2, 2020

Ruby Range said:
It’s on valves at the moment and holds air apparently!!

Unless the airbags ave been replaced, they will be in poor condition ,likely that's why it needs a new compressor, the leaks open and close where the bags fold under, so may hold air at some heights.

Ruby Range · May 2, 2020

Will do guy seems genuine enough anything else I need to look at as it’s been a long time since I looked over these.

oakey · May 2, 2020

Go for it

Datatek · May 2, 2020

Ruby Range said:
Will do guy seems genuine enough anything else I need to look at as it’s been a long time since I looked over these.

Worst case you could break it and get more than your money back

Henry_b · May 2, 2020

Mine sat for over a year on its arches, and the 2yr old bags were ruined..

Defo would need an EAS overhaul..

Condition is more important that spec in my opinion and you best check for rust and water ingress if it has been sat so long..

Henry_b · May 2, 2020

Ruby Range said:
Yes I know but iv done a mot check on it and it was laid up for 5 years from 2010 _ 2015. Mileage checks out. Problems are obviously head lining and it needs a new suspension pump. Front diff was replaced last year and occasionally the abs light comes on. These bits don’t worry me and looks in great condition. Have just spoken to the guy and he needs to charge the battery as it’s been sat for about 6 weeks and will take 1150 for it. If it’s as good as he says I’m in the money straight away

Check the VCU too, they lunch front diffs if the VCU is locked solid..

Ruby Range · May 2, 2020

So a couple of questions symptoms for the slipped liners ???? and how do I check the vcu please guys. I would hate to break it as it does look really clean and I have time at weekends to tinker and a good general knowledge of cars, my L322 has made sure of that !!!

Henry_b · May 2, 2020

Ruby Range said:
So a couple of questions symptoms for the slipped liners ???? and how do I check the vcu please guys. I would hate to break it as it does look really clean and I have time at weekends to tinker and a good general knowledge of cars, my L322 has made sure of that !!!

An audible "clack clack" noise ONLY when hot, hellbringers that have no experience of these engines or hve only experienced abused ones like to spout shít about them but LZ is riddled with more DSE issues over V8 ones..
They will also blow their top..

Check the vcu, the front wheels will skip on tight turns,

Ruby Range · May 2, 2020

Cheers Henry !! Will the liner problem also have an indication like expanding coolant hoses pressure in the header tank when cold ect. Is the noise from the top of the engine. Thanks for your help !!

Henry_b · May 2, 2020

Ruby Range said:
Cheers Henry !! Will the liner problem also have an indication like expanding coolant hoses pressure in the header tank when cold ect. Is the noise from the top of the engine. Thanks for your help !!

It will have excess pressure in the cooling system and coolant loss..

slipped liners ALWAYS cause (A) coolant loss and (B) excess pressure and (C) the noise only appears when hot..

Check the bonnet liner around where the coolant reservoir for deposites, usually a good clue if it has an appetite for coolant..

Oh and make sure it is coolant in the reservoir, most who have the issue never bother to top off with coolant so it is almost always straight water in their if there is an issue.

P38A Shouldn I buy it!!

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