P38A What to fix next..?

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Bagshot

Bagshot

Well-Known Member
Posts
866
Location
Cornwall
Hi,
Hi All,
Yipee..just passed its MOT, quite easily I thought for a 20 year old bus.. Only requiring 1) track rod assembly & 2) panhard rod bushes. I am now wondering what I should now be looking to change next, whilst me spanners are still warm. Not looking to just spend wildly, but what are the things I should get ahead of now before they go, without warning.??
1997, p38 manual 2.5 BMW engine, 168000 miles, items so far replaced:
New Rad, ( cured the overheating straightaway)
New EAS compressor (so far all other eas items seem to be doing their thing ok)
Battery (dont realise what a difference a new one makes, first turrn of the key nearly threw it on its roof)
usual oil, filters, anti freeze etc
and the two items above for mot.
..and getting ready to change the headlining and re-cover the inside pillars over xmas(its that or inlaws, what would you choose..)
Its my daily driver at work clocking up around 4-500 miles a week and keeps going like a dream, ( I like to think so anyway) So will be keeping it for a long time yet. The car I always promised myself !!
 
Not really from just looking. No service record after around 90k. I see the the exhaust has been done, the brakes and discs are all good and clean and nothing grinds or rattles. Engine is dry..on the outside.
I have had it about 6 months now and nothing stands out, just like to get ahead of the game, with service items. I know I will never see whats coming but just wondered what are the regular culprits that crop up.
cheers
 
I'd lift the suspension to full height and check the bottom of all the air-bags for cracking just where the rubber curls under, if there's cracks in the rubber a new set of 4 Dunlop Airbags plus fitting clip kit from Island 4x4 costs about 250.00, but will save you loads of grief in the long run..

Airbags seem to last about 10 years minimum before the trouble starts with the suspension dropping, but if your using the vehicle every day you may not know of any problem until one splits or blows out.
They are classed as a maintenance item but not a general item...

They are a diy item, if you have a proper trolley jack and axle stands and they take about a day the first time...plenty of write ups and pictures here with a bit of digging.
 
Last edited:
Right.. Thanks for that, I sounds like the next thing to check on the next dry Weekend... Thanks for that. Does it affect the settings if I do have to start taking these things apart and have to have it all reset. I do have the EAS fault finding software if that would do it.?
Cheeers..
 
I don't really think its a question of fixing things more about maintaining the car, if you don't know the age of a part and its a service item then replace it, iv been going threw mine slowly, recently did the panhard rod bushes front and rear they didn't seem worn bit of body roll but that's about it, new bushes and wow what a difference.

Its the little things that make the biggest difference I'm finding. Next I will be adjusting the steering box iv a bit of slack to take out iv a set of engine mounts sitting here to do I'm sure one of mine is split, just go over the whole car bit at a time.
 
That's just what I'm intending to do, looking to do all those maintenance bits that will make the difference in the long run. Hopefully stay ahead of the game a bit. Thanks for that.
Cheeers
 
Bagshot said:
Right.. Thanks for that, I sounds like the next thing to check on the next dry Weekend... Thanks for that. Does it affect the settings if I do have to start taking these things apart and have to have it all reset. I do have the EAS fault finding software if that would do it.?
Cheeers..
Click to expand...
Do a search here, theres loads of threads/writes ups on changing the airbags, there are a couple of small problems that some people have encounter, but all are simple to overcome if you are prepared, half the battle with P38,'s is having the correct diy tools.

Computer software for the suspension is a free download there's links to it somewhere on the site, just another search, you will have to buy or make up the computer data lead.

Datatek (another member here) may still making the leads and supplying the software, but that's another search on here.
 
Steering column lower joint?
Brake booster sphere?
Brake lines above the fuel tank?
Fuel sender cap rotting?
Egr valve blocking?
That's my list to date ....
Actually, just cut the pipe for the egr valve under the manifold, looks like its connected..
 
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