The joys of owning a P38!

[-DrEw-]

had our 1996 2.5 DT range rover for just over 3 years now, done about 20,000 miles and heres a list of all the things weve replaced since we got it...

- Full exhaust (right after we got it)
- 2 new batterys
- 2 new alternators
- EAS compressor
- fuel pump
- water filler cap (causing it to boil up while towing a caravan over a fell!)
- radiator
- oil pipes
- oil cooler
- didnt break but we fitted a Kenlowe fan because the viscus ones are useless
- the big thing.. engine siezed up! over 3.5k for a new one
- rear differential
- fuel cap opening mechanism

thats all i've replaced theres still some things wrong with it..

- needs new gearbox
- battery still goes flat!
- still takes ages to start
- low range selector doesnt work

apart from these its running fine atm

but compare this to our old range rover classic (1989) 3.5 vogue EFI which over the period of 9 years and 150,000 miles needed one small 10mm bolt replacing. seems a bit.. well... crap

are all P38's as reliable as ours, or have we just got a lemon?

also anyone selling a 2002/2003 range rover diesel for around 20k please let me know

[GKP]

Sounds like your is a right old shed!

But now you've done all those bits and bobs (most of which are common issues with P38s), it should be ready for plenty more miles.
If your battery keeps going flat it might be worth checking to make sure your becm is going to sleep properly.

[-DrEw-]

It's been on diagnostics in 2 different land rover garages and another garage and all seem to come up with no problems, next big thing which go's wrong im getting rid of!

or will part-ex for a new one

[BLUETHUNDER]

There could be a couple of reasons as to why your battery is going flat.1. thye vehicle is not going to sleep once you switch off.When you switch off,stay in the vehicle,and look at the park selector.The light should glow dimly for about 5 mins.If it stays on longer than this then it is,nt sleeping.This would cause battery drain.Also a mobile phone signal can also cause this to happen.As for not being able to select low range,this sounds like a gearbox E.C.U.

[-DrEw-]

It's a manual, and says "select neutral" everytime i press the button, turning the interior lights off has helped a bit but it still go's flat expecially when i have to use the lights.
i want a new one. lol

[BLUETHUNDER]

The interior lights could be your problem then.There is still an E.C.U for low range.It would ask you to select neutral if there is a problem with the system.

[Lancashire Lad]

We've had as many problems with our Freelander, we're now in a position that we've probably spent the same on it than we did buying it 3 years ago, and that we can't decide whether to get rid in case anything else happens, or to keep it because we've spent so much on it. Latest problems happened on our holidays to France this summer, the PAS pump went, we lost a centre cap from one of the alloys, and the rear door handle fell off. Other problems in the past include other things falling off (including plastic trim from by the back window, and the landy badge), and the dreaded viscous coupling problem. The hill descent has never worked. All part of fun of landy ownership

[XJSJohn]

sounds like they are all either great or crap with nothing inbetween with thhe P38's.

I ran a 1999 2.5DSE for 22,000 miles (15 months) and the only issue i had was an airbag warning light (wire needed a wiggle under the drivers seat) and the reluctant starting that you have. A new set of glow plugs solved this problem.

(ohh and the fact that it was slower than a slow thing on a slow cold day, but a new intercooler and a remap solved that )

[jasonj]

and you havent sold it yet? why?

[-DrEw-]

because weve spent to much on it, and we cant afford a new one right now, and im 17 lol