J

Josh Wiggill

Member
Hi guys new here and my first post. My beloved P38 has developed a fault in which she wont start. She will turn over fire up for maybe 5 seconds most and then die. Below a list of everything I’ve done.

Spark plugs replaced - double platinum RC11PYPB4
Inlet manifold gasket replaced
Rocker cover gaskets replaced
Fuel rail and injectors cleaned
Fuel pump replaced
Throttle position sensor replaced
Crankshaft Position sensor replaced
Battery replaced
Fuses and relays checked all good

I’m getting no faults come up and no EML. Can’t get her booked into the garage until 2nd week of April minimum.

Is there something really simple that I’m missing. I’m at a loss with the car now and desperately need her up and running ASAP
 
Did you check the plugs are actually getting a good spark ? Does fuel rail stay at pressure when cranking or when it fires & dies ?
 
pwood999 said:
Did you check the plugs are actually getting a good spark ? Does fuel rail stay at pressure when cranking or when it fires & dies ?
Click to expand...
I assumed the plugs were getting a good spark as when it would start up and switch over to LPG it would be fine but now it won’t actually start. I will post a pic of the spark plugs I took out. According to the garage that tested the fuel pressure for me yes it maintained pressure in the rail.
 
Great to see you here Josh - we have been chatting in the youtube comments recent - I'm Ant btw....

These guys are a great resource and have helped me out no end.

Refresh the brain - what year?

If she starts, runs then dies, we could be taking fuel starvation for some reason.....are you able to force start on LPG and see if she keeps running?

Do you know which LPG system is fitted?


EDIT: I see the year is in the thread title - blind as a bat I am sometimes!!
 
Lpg makes a difference.
Fuel filter is somewhere near the back of the air tank on the chassis.
If it runs ok on lpg then there's not much wrong.
If the lpg map is way out, eg far too rich then it might be affecting to petrol fuel trims to the point it won't run.
 
Saint.V8 said:
Great to see you here Josh - we have been chatting in the youtube comments recent - I'm Ant btw....

These guys are a great resource and have helped me out no end.

Refresh the brain - what year?

If she starts, runs then dies, we could be taking fuel starvation for some reason.....are you able to force start on LPG and see if she keeps running?

Do you know which LPG system is fitted?


EDIT: I see the year is in the thread title - blind as a bat I am sometimes!!
Click to expand...
Hi Ant - great to see you here. Unfortunately I have the PRINS system, the only system on the market to not enable you to force start on LPG. As you can see the list of repairs is extensive and I’m getting rather frustrated with the old girl
 
kermit_rr said:
Lpg makes a difference.
Fuel filter is somewhere near the back of the air tank on the chassis.
If it runs ok on lpg then there's not much wrong.
If the lpg map is way out, eg far too rich then it might be affecting to petrol fuel trims to the point it won't run.
Click to expand...
Okay I will have a look for the filter. I was always told only the GEMS came with a fuel filter and not the THOR. I know the EVAP unit is behind the air tank so I will have a look for the filter now. If that’s all it is I’m going to kick myself. I know the LPG trims are okay as it was re tuned in January following a service.
 
One of my P38's had the Prins VSI and to force start on petrol it was with ignition on, hold down the LPG switchover button until it turned yellow (I think) then start the car this should force it to start on gas from memory....
 
Saint.V8 said:
One of my P38's had the Prins VSI and to force start on petrol it was with ignition on, hold down the LPG switchover button until it turned yellow (I think) then start the car this should force it to start on gas from memory....
Click to expand...
Oh right I didn’t know that. My LPG tech seemed to think you couldn’t do it in the PRINS VSI systems. Just waiting for my booster pack to finish charging and then will give it a go. Cheers ant
 
Found this also from a quick gooooooooooogle on the matter:

With engine on but not started, switch to petrol then immediately switch back to LPG and hold the LPG button down until the lead goes yellow, then the car should start on LPG until next start cycle. IIRC that’s how the PRINS LPG sequential injection system works.
 
Saint.V8 said:
Found this also from a quick gooooooooooogle on the matter:

With engine on but not started, switch to petrol then immediately switch back to LPG and hold the LPG button down until the lead goes yellow, then the car should start on LPG until next start cycle. IIRC that’s how the PRINS LPG sequential injection system works.
Click to expand...
That brilliant to know cheers Ant
 
kermit_rr said:
Lpg makes a difference.
Fuel filter is somewhere near the back of the air tank on the chassis.
If it runs ok on lpg then there's not much wrong.
If the lpg map is way out, eg far too rich then it might be affecting to petrol fuel trims to the point it won't run.
Click to expand...
I’ve looked under the chassis behind and in front of the air tank and all I can see is the EVAP canister. No sign of any fuel filter
 
When I come to think about it when I had it running on petrol they’re would be smoke rings coming from the exhaust but only on the left side looking from the back of the car and the right side had barley any visible smoke. The left side smoke steam was also very inconsistent. Does that go inline with faulty coil packs?
 
Josh Wiggill said:
When I come to think about it when I had it running on petrol they’re would be smoke rings coming from the exhaust but only on the left side looking from the back of the car and the right side had barley any visible smoke. The left side smoke steam was also very inconsistent. Does that go inline with faulty coil packs?
Click to expand...
the exhaust joins to a single centre muffler, then splits again, so the pipes at the rear dont reflect whats happening on a particular bank.
if theres nothing coming out of one side, there could be a restriction in the rear muffler on that side
 
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