tonymccandless

New Member
Just motoring along happily and suddenly no power to the wheels. Engine sounds ok but no engagement of gearbox is discernable.

Is this the end for the old bus and me ???? :(

Any thoughts gratefully accepted.....
 
Just motoring along happily and suddenly no power to the wheels. Engine sounds ok but no engagement of gearbox is discernable.

Is this the end for the old bus and me ???? :(

Any thoughts gratefully accepted.....

Petrol, Diesel, Year? If petrol the only time I have lost power whist driving was due to crankshaft sensor failure. After 20 mins she started but only got 3 miles and conked out again AA home that last mile. Other time was fuel pump, I stoped the engine whilst wailting for the ferry to the Isle of Man (Steam Packet) but she wouldn't start again. The ferry people wouldn't push me on so as the tide was way down I got some lorry drivers to give me a push, got enough speed on to get down the ramp, they were just about to raise the door, and on the ferry with the loader shouting at me not to get on. I said "stop swearing, I have a ticket" that shut him up. I had just made it on!! My wife and 85 year old mother were surprised to see me as I had sent them on as foot passengers and told them I would probably be back next day!! new fuel pump.

But sound like your engine is running! I have an auto and lost drive, engine fine - flex plate. But could be trans chain? also If manual - clutch? maybe? any noises?
 
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Yes it does. When you try select a gear absolutely no engagement. Could be linkage (he hopes desperately) or selector mechanism I suppose but knowing the P38 its likely to be something way more expensive.....
 
Did you get a noise before the problem? and if so can you describe the sound? Are you able to get underneath and remove the inspection plate? its between the engine and gearbox (three small bolts). See if any debris? If its the flex plate there may be a few bits of metal or teltail if lucky. Also are you still getting a noise?

Yes it could be the selector. Can you see if it is still connected? (passenger side of the gearbox) to the xyz switch: http://www.rangerovers.net/repairdetails/drivetrain/transelector.html Does the selector move when you move the gearbox selector in the car?
 
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If you move the lever, does the light and the indication on the dash show the gear selected?
If you select park does the parking pawl engage, ie can you move the car with it in park?
If yes to those, I would go with the flex plate or sudden loss of all oil especially as it failed whilst on the move.
 
Diagnosed today by Strathearn : gearbox failure. :( It's all over for the old girl as too many other niggly things not working to spend serious cash on replacing gearbox..

Thanks to all folk who came back here....see my next post about P38 replacement....you seriously couldn't make up the week I have had...
 
Diagnosed today by Strathearn : gearbox failure. :( It's all over for the old girl as too many other niggly things not working to spend serious cash on replacing gearbox..

Thanks to all folk who came back here....see my next post about P38 replacement....you seriously couldn't make up the week I have had...
Gearbox not expensive for the P38, look at Ashcroft engineering.
 
So so sorry. But when they say gearbox failure did they give you any more info than just gearbox failure? As before was there fluid in the gearbox? did they check the flex plate etc. Its so easy for a big outfit to just say gearbox failure, mind you it does happen but I would want more info, you mentioned a noise before but didn't elaborate. If its the flex plate then less than half the cost to replace
 
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Fair points stopover. Nonetheless I still think the old bus was at that tipping point where it was becoming really easy to spend cash every 6 mths or so. Last year had full disc / brake replacement plus all the track rod, drag link, UJ etc done. Undoubtedly it will be a great car for somebody who can just grab a gearbox from somewhere and fit it themselves but for me with all the other little foibles (air con, cruise, opening door & rear etc) it was time to move on.

BTW Strathearn arent a "big" outfit. I know the guys and trust them as they have done a lot of work on the P38 before which has been quoted for elsewhere far more expensively. Also they are not dealers but do look after a lot of the LR cars in Perthshire from farms to estates.

Take for example their approach to helping with the replace RR issue around the diff. Ratehr than go down the full replacement route they came to me with the Ashcroft coupler solution.
 

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