I hope you can help me with this. Someone must have had the same experience or a good clue as to what is going on!
Our beloved P38, 1995, HSE 4.0 petrol, 90000 miles, looks as if we need to scrap it. Just 4 weeks ago it started to have problems, it starts up and revs in Neutral fine, but as soon as it is put into any gear, the power drops and it hardly moves and easily stalls.
Since then, I had licenced Range Rover mechanics trying to sort it out. They checked absolutely everything they could with their computers: Airflow, Petrol pressure, compression, they even fitted a new ignition coil and a new petrol filter, all seems to be in good order. After installation of the ignition coil, the car started easier but still has no power when put into gear. Apparently, they cannot get a reading from the transmission sensor, but don’t think it’s a transmission problem as such. They are now at their wits end and tell us the only options left is either to give up or really take the engine apart at a cost that could be several thousand pounds, but without any guarantee that they will find the fault. According to the mechanic, it could be the crankshaft worn down or the BECM has a fault or the cylinder is cracked and so forth.
Obviously, the car’s value does not really allow me to throw that much more money at it just for fault finding and so it looks like we better get rid of it. But I cannot believe that nobody knows what is going on!
So, any ideas or experiences that you can share would be highly appreciated.
Cheers.

What it will not be is the BECM or the crankshaft.
The mechanics are obviously not competant.
A compression test will show up a few things, a sniff test will show if gasses are getting into the water.
IMO it's likely to be coil packs/leads, MAF, camshaft, CPS or the like, all of which will show up on diagnostics.

Thanks for your reply.
Sorry, I meant camshaft, not crankshaft. They say it could be worn down. The dealer is a main range rover dealer with all the testing equipment. They have already replaced the coil pack with a new one and the leads have just been replaced a couple of months ago during a service. Nothing shows up on their Diagnostics, it's crazy.

maddirk said:

Thanks for your reply.
Sorry, I meant camshaft, not crankshaft. They say it could be worn down. The dealer is a main range rover dealer with all the testing equipment. They have already replaced the coil pack with a new one and the leads have just been replaced a couple of months ago during a service. Nothing shows up on their Diagnostics, it's crazy.

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Most LR dealers know feck all about the P38 and just replace bits on spec and empty your wallet.
Live data diagnostics will almost certainly show up something, you need a good independant that specialises in Range Rovers if you cannot DIY. If you put your location, there maybe someone nearby that can help.
Seems a shame to scrap it.

Datatek said:

Most LR dealers know feck all about the P38 and just replace bits on spec and empty your wallet.
Live data diagnostics will almost certainly show up something, you need a good independant that specialises in Range Rovers if you cannot DIY. If you put your location, there maybe someone nearby that can help.
Seems a shame to scrap it.

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I agree, it would be a total shame, it's a great car and has everything sorted, just this one problem is unsolvable apparently. My location is Chart Sutton, near Maidstone, Kent, if you could recommend a good specialist? Thank you!

maddirk said:

I agree, it would be a total shame, it's a great car and has everything sorted, just this one problem is unsolvable apparently. My location is Chart Sutton, near Maidstone, Kent, ME17 3RQ, if you could recommend a good specialist? Thank you!

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I can't I live in France but someone will.
Remove your postcode and put your rough location in your signature.
If you can't fix it, rather than scrap it, sell it as spares or repair.

Datatek said:

What it will not be is the BECM or the crankshaft.
The mechanics are obviously not competant.
A compression test will show up a few things, a sniff test will show if gasses are getting into the water.
IMO it's likely to be coil packs/leads, MAF, camshaft, CPS or the like, all of which will show up on diagnostics.

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Oh, yes, Airflow/MAF and compression has been tested, I understand, comes up all good.

maddirk said:

Oh, yes, Airflow/MAF and compression has been tested, I understand, comes up all good.

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On the off chance, take the lid off the under bonnet fuse box and have a sniff for signs/smells of burning.

Datatek said:

I can't I live in France but someone will.
Remove your postcode and put your rough location in your signature.
If you can't fix it, rather than scrap it, sell it as spares or repair.

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Done, thanks. And yes, that's what I will do. I am just hoping someone might have had the same issue and knows!

Datatek said:

On the off chance, take the lid off the under bonnet fuse box and have a sniff for signs/smells of burning.

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Yes, will do, thanks, but have not much hope as I have seen the mechs checking the fuses and relays already.

maddirk said:

Yes, will do, thanks, but have not much hope as I have seen the mechs checking the fuses and relays already.

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I'm no expert on the V8, but there are plenty on here who are, be patient and there will be more responses.

I am patient, thank you, just sitting in front of my PC right now

hi , pm me and will give you my no and maybe point you in right direction cheers mozz