Hi I have just brought a P38 diesel on a N reg. Previously I had a L322 4.4v8 but the government would not do finance on stamp duty so it had to go!

Now I know the P38 Diesels are slow, but how slow. Mine won’t go up a steep hill faster than 50pmh? Is this normal for this car?

If not what do I need to replace to make it more athletic? Is there a MAF sensor (that did the trick on my old Mrec Ml Diesel?)

Any advice would be great,

Thanks
Adrian

:welcome2: Adrian,

The diesels are fairly slow, and the hills near me can be a struggle at times for the poor old girl....

The Autobox is better suited to the Diesels power curve, as most of the grunt only comes in above 2100rpm or so, but give her a prod and they can be quite lively....

Post 1999MY version have a MAF, but yours at a '95 I doubt would have one....

There is a MAP (Manifold Air Pressure) sensor that measures the inducted air pressure to ensure adequate fueling....this is a little device mounted on the Fuel Filter to the right (as you look at it) of the engine, it has a small pipe leading to it from under the induction pipe that crosses the top of the engine....

Oftentimes this little pipe gets split or gunked up, and this has the effect of reducing engine performance, a weak in tank pump as well stunts performance too.....

One test for the tank pump is if it struggles to start from cold with less that 1/3rd of a tank....if she cranks for ages before firing, this could be a weak pump or split leak off pipes (the interconnecting pipes linking the 6 injectors)...

The diesels do suffer from hot start problems, they are well documented on here so I advise a search and read up on that....

I always remember a forum post when I was looking for a Diesel and looking for advice on them:

Post 1: Is the Diesel really as slow as they say?
Post 2: No.....they're slower

Especially coming from the 4.4 V8, the difference will be marked....

Slow up hills when cold, as is my Transit, the ECU limits power until it warms up. Once warm quite sprightly but the throttle peddle has a curiously long travel before anything happens. You could always fit a power box, mine would top 50 easily towing a caravan up the pennines. The extra power does tend to knacker the auto gearbox though.
Without the power box mine will hold motorway cruising speed up motorway inclines no problem.
Worth checking when the oil and filter was changed if it's an auto box, should be done every 30K miles.

Thanks for your help.

Changed the gearbox oil and that has made a difference to the way it drives. Fluid was a dark brown, so probably not replaced in a while.

The RR starts first time on the pre-heat going off when cold. When warm it takes 5-10 seconds of cranking (a common problem I have read)

Do you have a photo of the pipe to the MAP and I will check that, then buy a power box.

Also changed the pollen filters. They were black and full of leaves ? Blower now works a lot better!

Dark brown transmission fluid is a sign of slipping clutches. The power box might just see the gearbox go home.