4.6HSE P38 Engine query

Martin1_01 · May 22, 2011

Hi all,

We have just got back home from a nice day out with the family (travel time around 50 miles or so) in our usually very trusty 4.6HSE (162K miles) and on the final junction before arriving home I noticed a "chugging" noise coming from the engine. Best described and a mix I suppose of slight spluttering/chugging and maybe a slight ticking.

I let everything cool for a bit and checked the oil to see again it had gulped through a fair amount (always burns reasonably) but in fairness I hadn't checked for a couple of weeks or so. Dipstick amount was showing just at tip, so have topped back up (why the sensor didn't come on is another annoying issue!) but on starting the car again from warm the chugging especially on idle was still very noticable.

Could it be timing or something easily rectified or after 4 years of delightful ownership am I staring down the barrels of something scarey which I knew may occur one day?

All advice/thoughts welcome - one stressed P38 owner now, as my toy appears to be broken!

Cheers.

jamesmartin · May 22, 2011

sensor works off pressure not level

juiceyv8 · May 22, 2011

jamesmartin said:
sensor works off pressure not level

And you should check it every week and top up if needs be...never rely on a gauge to tell you.

V8s need lots of love and by giving it no love you are asking for it.

Datatek · May 22, 2011

Not firing on one cylinder? Plug or leads or even a coil pack??

Martin1_01 · May 22, 2011

Thanks Datatek,

At least your input is far more use than the preaching "dead" and I refer to the picture of the guy with two muppets!

juiceyv8 · May 22, 2011

Martin1_01 said:
Thanks Datatek,

At least your input is far more use than the preaching "dead" and I refer to the picture of the guy with two muppets!

Im not dead.......Im just taking a break.

Hamster97 · May 24, 2011

If it is down on a cylinder/loss of power then the suggestion made should be the first things to check. If all seems ok there, you might have to go a little deeper.
I had lifters stick in which completely screwed the gap on the tappets which caused a loss of power, lots of tapping noise but no noticable misfire.

My most recent issue gives the symptom of sounding like a dumper truck from the middle of the engine (under the inlet manifold). After investigation, I found the head gasket had split into the valley of the engine resulting in cylinder compression escaping and causing the noise. This also caused a heavy misfire and doesn't sound nice at all.

Good luck, hope its a lead or coil pack at worst.

gavbriggs · May 24, 2011

when were the plugs last changed on this lpg'd engine?

Martin1_01 · May 28, 2011

Thanks all. Verdict just in, piston 2 compression has gone. £1500 to repair on a car worth probably around the same. Plus still have heater matrix to replace (dash out - ouch!) and rear diff to sort too! Methinks time to retire my dear trusty car to the big heaven of long departed Range Rovers

clarkie · May 28, 2011

were you told why theres no compression ?,time to get your spanners out not scrap it,

4.6HSE P38 Engine query

Martin1_01

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jamesmartin

Well-Known Member

juiceyv8

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Datatek

Well-Known Member

Martin1_01

New Member

juiceyv8

New Member

Hamster97

Active Member

gavbriggs

Well-Known Member

Martin1_01

New Member

clarkie

Active Member

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