Rob4x40
Active Member
A while since I've been here as work and various other aspects of life and a couple of family bereavements have consumed free time, but getting straight again now I think.
I have a 1997 P38 4.6V8 with LPG. Had a few years with no major issues, but about 3 years ago started to get long gearshifts from 3rd to 4th - and then shortly after front drive shaft let go when towing a boat to Wales! Thus once recovered home she was SORN'd for a couple of months whilst I replaced gearbox, shafts etc. Unfortunately the replacement box was short lived and less than 1500 miles later was laid up again. At this point I started a new job and time fast evaporated, so she remained on the drive for 18 months until last April when having bought a bigger boat, I needed a tow vehicle again (I'd had another secondhand box sat waiting for 12 months at this point).
So, another gearbox fitted (never again!), a new MoT in August (only failed on a couple of small issues) and she was back on the road. I've used a fair amount since and added around 2500 miles (currently just under 208,000) and have slowly been getting her back up to scratch - oil, plugs, leads, new alternator etc. She's not a daily drive as I have an old XJ8 for that, but I try to use at least every couple of weeks as like most British cars, they don't seem to like sitting unused. The longer term plan is to get all the little niggles fixed and back to good order. (nothing huge, just usual issues of headlining, blend motors, 1 heated seat not working, some bodywork and sunroof stuck)
I used her all of last week for the run to work - 13 miles mixed town and country roads, but once on Thursday & once on Friday I had a loud clunk - both times under about 20mph when accelerating away from roundabouts. I can only describe as a bit like a stuck brake on a trailer or car when it's rusted up and lets go! I had a look Thursday night with a torch, but couldn't see anything obvious amiss and she drives no different that I can discern. The rain is currently drying up, so going to get a better look shortly, but wondered if anyone had any thoughts? I'm suspecting it's going to be something in the drivetrain like a shaft with worn splines or similar, but would have expected that to just let go? I did try hard acceleration after the last instance yesterday, but it didn't recur. I'm not particularly heavy on right foot usually, so the fact I was accelerating at the time may be a red herring - and she did tow over 3 tons of boat to slipway in December and launch without issue. There were no suspension/drivetrain related advisories in August.
I have a 1997 P38 4.6V8 with LPG. Had a few years with no major issues, but about 3 years ago started to get long gearshifts from 3rd to 4th - and then shortly after front drive shaft let go when towing a boat to Wales! Thus once recovered home she was SORN'd for a couple of months whilst I replaced gearbox, shafts etc. Unfortunately the replacement box was short lived and less than 1500 miles later was laid up again. At this point I started a new job and time fast evaporated, so she remained on the drive for 18 months until last April when having bought a bigger boat, I needed a tow vehicle again (I'd had another secondhand box sat waiting for 12 months at this point).
So, another gearbox fitted (never again!), a new MoT in August (only failed on a couple of small issues) and she was back on the road. I've used a fair amount since and added around 2500 miles (currently just under 208,000) and have slowly been getting her back up to scratch - oil, plugs, leads, new alternator etc. She's not a daily drive as I have an old XJ8 for that, but I try to use at least every couple of weeks as like most British cars, they don't seem to like sitting unused. The longer term plan is to get all the little niggles fixed and back to good order. (nothing huge, just usual issues of headlining, blend motors, 1 heated seat not working, some bodywork and sunroof stuck)
I used her all of last week for the run to work - 13 miles mixed town and country roads, but once on Thursday & once on Friday I had a loud clunk - both times under about 20mph when accelerating away from roundabouts. I can only describe as a bit like a stuck brake on a trailer or car when it's rusted up and lets go! I had a look Thursday night with a torch, but couldn't see anything obvious amiss and she drives no different that I can discern. The rain is currently drying up, so going to get a better look shortly, but wondered if anyone had any thoughts? I'm suspecting it's going to be something in the drivetrain like a shaft with worn splines or similar, but would have expected that to just let go? I did try hard acceleration after the last instance yesterday, but it didn't recur. I'm not particularly heavy on right foot usually, so the fact I was accelerating at the time may be a red herring - and she did tow over 3 tons of boat to slipway in December and launch without issue. There were no suspension/drivetrain related advisories in August.
(And it's a PITA on a driveway with just axle stands and a couple of ramps.)
