P38A Bye Bye P38

Well, the time came for me to part with the P38 over the weekend.
After 5 years & 89,000 miles it's been a real learning curve for me & in the most part has been a pleasure 'tinkering' to keep everything working as it should & I can't thank everyone on here enough for the help, advice & general banter. Alas, the problematic new engine just proved to be too much to keep going at & I came to the conclusion that the engine block was suspect despite the top hat liner mod. So it was time to pass on to someone who has a little fresh enthusiasm to sort out an otherwise mint P38.
Was very sad seeing someone else driving out of the driveway & hearing the V8 roar on up the road.

All polished & ready for i'ts new owner.......


But still sticking with the LR brand. I decided that something with a little more space & praticality was needed so have purchased a Disco 3 & picking up later this week, sure to keep me busy no doubt......

martynv8 said:

Well, the time came for me to part with the P38 over the weekend.
After 5 years & 89,000 miles it's been a real learning curve for me & in the most part has been a pleasure 'tinkering' to keep everything working as it should & I can't thank everyone on here enough for the help, advice & general banter. Alas, the problematic new engine just proved to be too much to keep going at & I came to the conclusion that the engine block was suspect despite the top hat liner mod. So it was time to pass on to someone who has a little fresh enthusiasm to sort out an otherwise mint P38.
Was very sad seeing someone else driving out of the driveway & hearing the V8 roar on up the road.

All polished & ready for i'ts new owner.......

But still sticking with the LR brand. I decided that something with a little more space & praticality was needed so have purchased a Disco 3 & picking up later this week, sure to keep me busy no doubt......

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My mate just bought one. See the Disco area. Nice car but parts are damned expensive, diagnostics even more so.

What year? Check for the EAS compressor upgrade that need a software update and new relay. The cam belt change is a bit of a monster job. Amazing how they stuffed so much engine into such a small space!

Hi Grrrrr,
I'ts an '06 with 104 on the clock. Overfinch spec & fully serviced by them. It had the cam belt & pulley change at 97k (£897 on invoice - ouch!), & the air bags changed recently. Will look into the EAS compressor upgrade though. I did flinch when i looked into the engine bay - no space for a mouse! I did have a new Disco 3 (company car) a few years ago & apart from EGR clogging it was a fine 4x4 & forgotten how good until I test drove some. This one does seem quite lively compared to the last one but a long time ago to compare properly.

Martyn, what have you done.

I've had one for 6 years. I've never owned a vehicle in my life that has cost as much as my D3 keeping it on the road. It's now wanting, cambelt, both front airbags, front lower arms, rear lower arms, tyres, brakes all round, dodgy suspension pump I rebuilt a year ago & the front airbags are keeping it busy. Late last year it had a gearbox, 2 x torque converters, brakes all round including new hand brake module & brake pipes. New EGR valves, god know's how many batteries, three alternators & one alternator failure took the gearbox megatronic with it., door locks, tailgate lock, & the list keeps going.
Just make sure you use fully synth oil & keep it topped up. Don't let the oil level drop & start throwing it around. You will lose your engine.

& just for good measure, if an auto, replace the gearbox pan & filter & the oil. Do this while the gearbox is good.

martynv8 said:

Hi Grrrrr,
I'ts an '06 with 104 on the clock. Overfinch spec & fully serviced by them. It had the cam belt & pulley change at 97k (£897 on invoice - ouch!), & the air bags changed recently. Will look into the EAS compressor upgrade though. I did flinch when i looked into the engine bay - no space for a mouse! I did have a new Disco 3 (company car) a few years ago & apart from EGR clogging it was a fine 4x4 & forgotten how good until I test drove some. This one does seem quite lively compared to the last one but a long time ago to compare properly.

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The earlier cars had a Hitachi compressor but later on they all shifted to AMK, as we discovered! See https://www.landyzone.co.uk/land-rover/exhaust-valve.314479/#post-3980192

What engine has it got in it? Some monster 6.2?

Rick-the-Pick said:

& just for good measure, if an auto, replace the gearbox pan & filter & the oil. Do this while the gearbox is good.

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Blimey Rick!
I'll keep it in mind.....mate has one & been no bother for the past 8 months he's had it.
What spec engine oil is it?
I've read it's best to get the gearbox megaflushed, could open up a can of worms though. I assume a basic fluid change is similar to P38 ZFHP24?

Grrrrrr said:

The earlier cars had a Hitachi compressor but later on they all shifted to AMK, as we discovered! See https://www.landyzone.co.uk/land-rover/exhaust-valve.314479/#post-3980192

What engine has it got in it? Some monster 6.2?

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Oh no, just the standard 2.7 TDV6 lump, may be an ECU upgrade of some sort as it did feel more spritely than my last disco 3. Mostly it's interior upgrade, silver stitched rushed leather etc. Dont think overfinch is what it used to be.

Well martyn you have done the old girl proud keeping her going good luck with the new one

martynv8 said:

Oh no, just the standard 2.7 TDV6 lump, may be an ECU upgrade of some sort as it did feel more spritely than my last disco 3. Mostly it's interior upgrade, silver stitched rushed leather etc. Dont think overfinch is what it used to be.

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I think the oil-pump casing was prone to cracking on those. Should have been replaced the same time as the timing belt.

Out of the frying pan and all that.....at least you are keeping it green oval.

Good luck with the new purchase, yes there are horror stories but conversely there are many fine tales too.....

You did the P38 proud with your patience and persistence, but similarly to yourself when I sold the L322 for the 110, as much as I loved the car, I know when it is time to draw a line too.....stick arounf, your knowlege and experiences are much needed.

Thanks Saint,
I gave it my best (to my ability) & managed to fix most things P38's can throw at you. There comes a time when the constant apprehension when driving takes the enjoyment out of it & just needed to take a step back & enjoy the experience of driving again for a while, going for another LR that will most likely be short lived but hope to have renewed enthusiasm for whatever the Disco will throw at me.
I will certainly stick around to offer any advice where I can, anything I can offer to help keep these fine beasts on the road.
I'll keep my avatar in honour.

You will realise that the P38's are a walk in the park compared to understanding these D3's. A completely different ball game & the learning is fun.

martynv8 said:

Thanks Saint,
I gave it my best (to my ability) & managed to fix most things P38's can throw at you. There comes a time when the constant apprehension when driving takes the enjoyment out of it & just needed to take a step back & enjoy the experience of driving again for a while, going for another LR that will most likely be short lived but hope to have renewed enthusiasm for whatever the Disco will throw at me.
I will certainly stick around to offer any advice where I can, anything I can offer to help keep these fine beasts on the road.
I'll keep my avatar in honour.

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Should have had the oil burner.

It's drove like one lately

bon courage! So, Are you going to be called martynD3 or martynV6, From now on?

And they said p38 were a money pit, every were I go people comment a proper Range Rover find a good p38 and look after it

Big vee said:

And they said p38 were a money pit, every were I go people comment a proper Range Rover find a good p38 and look after it

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Or maybe a classic that someone has already fixed the rust problems!