Recent content by dragoon

I've got my P38 DSE to over 400K miles. I think they are unfairly maligned. They are not perfect, but how many cars can get to that sort of mileage on the original engine. I can vouch they don't rust at all - heavier gauge chassis, and aluminium door skins, wing and boot.

Sorry for the tread bump - not sure if this thread is still active. Just passed 400,000 miles last week. 2000 DSE. ....and they want to rid the world of diesel cars :)

Yes, it's getting like that. I made the mistake of trying to regas the air con this week and the condenser burst! That'll be another new part then :rolleyes:

365,000 2.5 dse manual I had to replace the timing chain and gears at 342,000. A some point it had a new FIP as well. It's had several gearboxes, at least one transfer box, a front diff and a set of air bags. A few thousand miles back the wiper mechanism let go on the M3 in a rain storm...

Okay,here's the update :o It seems I was a fool - after dropping the sump I discovered the pick up gasket was cocket over at 30 degrees and blocking the oil passage. After rectifying that, the engine started and oil pressure quickly appeared. I then let the engine warm bfore driving...

Thanks Wammers! I'll post back with progress....

Yes, agreed. I'll drop the sump in the morning and see if I can trace the problem to either loss of pump drive or a problem with the pick up. If it's neither of those I'll see if I can figure a way to prime the system. Cheers, Paul

I used a new bolt also. Cheers, Paul

Hi Wammers, yes it was done to the same spec - 100nm + 150 degrees - it took an impact wrench to get it there as that's a hell of a tightening. Cheers, Paul

I was careful not to dislodge anything there, and the oil pump was not removed. I'm assuming I'm going to have to drop the sump again and take another look to see if the pickup pipe is the issue - I guess if I remove that I may also be able to look into the pump and check it turns with the...

Hi All, As an update I have rebuilt the engine with new chains and sprockets. I finished putting it together today - it started straight up and sounds like it used to. The major problem I have is that there is no oil pressure. I had to remove the strainer from the pump to get the sump...

An update - the engine is finally in bits. I only got so far with it, but a mechanic has continued and called me this afternoon. Apparently the guides are worn away, the chains are stretched, and the sprockets are worn away to being discs with some pointy bits on them. The chains had started...

Hi Datatek, I gave this a go. I can start the compressor okay, but couldn't find a way to make the height change. If I command a height, it says that the doors must be shut and the engine running. I can close all the doors and bonnets, but nothing happens. As far as the controls in...

Thanks - that helps. I have a Faultmate - I didn't use it for some time - I'll link it up with the PC and see if it lets me do what I need. Cheers Paul

Thank you for the quick reply. The starter idea sounds a good one. One other little question which springs to mind, especially if I need to get the sump off.... The suspension had dropped to its stops. It would be easier to drain the oil and get under the car if I could get it to rise on...