Hi Stefan, If you have an ammeter you could connect it in series with one of the battery cables and see if excessive current is being drawn from the battery (should drop to near zero amps after about 1minute from locking the car). Alternatively, if you don't have an ammeter leave the battery...

Any chance of a more precise description or preferably a photo showing which pipe we're talking about? mikeateves

Hi, Have you looked into why the battery is going flat first? This is usually down to the early RF receivers picking up from various sources causing the car electronics to wake up regularly and so flattening the battery. I had this problem (battery would go flat in 2 days standing) until I...

Hi, Thanks for the reply. I hope the sun is still shining at the weekend when I get round to the job. I'm sure the missus won't mind me borrowing her hair drier! mikeateves

Hi, Does anyone have a recommendation on how to DIY clean out the intercooler on an early P38 diesel please? I believe this should be done at 48k miles so mine as tad overdue. What cleaner should I use? I have been told you can use brake cleaner which you slosh about and then wash out with...

Hi, The air bags in my P38 are now nearly 12 years old and I do not intend to replace them. I did look into this but to buy new ones is prohibitively expensive LR quoted over £1000 each just for the parts which is just ridiculous. If you're really concerned you could try and get some out of a...

Hi, Just catching up with the postings. I believe the difference is between the early P38 diesels and the later ones. I don't know when but at some point the diesels had separate radiator, transmission cooler and engine oil cooler. The early ones like mine had a combined radiator and...

I've noticed recently that the temp guage on my '96 P38 diesel tends to fluctuate quite a bit but only when warming up. Once up to temperature it sits at 12 o'clock. I suspect mine is the early single wire variety but will have to check. Maybe its a symptom the sensor is on the way out - or just...

I recently had to have the radiator changed on my 96 P38 diesel as it had sprung a leak. Mine was the early radiator which is combined engine cooler and gearbox cooler - sounds like yours. Local independent charged me £450 inc parts and labour. I can't remember the actually hours they charged...

For many years most cars have been fitted with height adjustable headlights to avoid dazzling oncoming vehicles when the backend is loaded down (not that anyone every uses this). Vehicles with self-levelling suspension don't need adjustable headlights. Going to springs means you lose the...

Hi Wills, Thanks for that. I will have to get a copy of RAVE :) . mikeateves

I'm going to try some injector cleaner and see if it helps although I don't hold out much hope. mikeateves

Hi, What relevant sensors are there on the BMW 2.5 diesel engine? Can't say I've noticed any black smoke or noticable loss of power I just get a (low frequency) vibration. If I take my foot off the gas it goes away or if I accelerate it goes away (at least it becomes unnoticable). At the...

Hi, Yes.

Hi Wills, Curious to know where you got the technical bulletin from. Are they available to anyone? They look like an interesting read!! mikeateves

Hi, Thanks for the reply. Yes, I do have a multimeter.

Hi, I have an early P38 DT which suffers from engine vibration/shake not too serious but annoying. This happens anywhere between 1200 and 1500rpm when the engine isn't working very hard, it feels like the engine is only running on half the cylinders. It idles fine and runs fine above 1500rpm...

Hi, Thanks for the reply. I thought I'd got the latest version but I'll check. It certainly cured my battery drain problem. I'm thinking the problem I have is more likely related to the ignition barrel occasionally failing to trigger correctly when the key is inserted. But I could be wrong...

Hi, There seems to have been a couple of questions recently about the ease of replacing the RF receiver. This is quite straightforward, my one observation (based on experience) is when removing and refitting the shelf panel be very careful not to catch it on the trim panel on the window pillar...

I have an early P38 with the new RF receiver. Occassionally I get the Engine disabled press remote message. If I unlock the car and there is a delay before I insert the key into the ignition (e.g. because I'm putting stuff in the boot) I normally hear a sound like the rear doors unlocking and...