K

Kelvin'D-MiC'

Member
Hello there guys. I have a P38 2.5TDi and the issue is after starting it and warming up the engine. When I drive a bit of a distance that gets the engine optimum and I switch the engine off.....the car won't start unless I leave it to cool down or I push start it. What could be need of attention?
 
Kelvin'D-MiC' said:
Hello there guys. I have a P38 2.5TDi and the issue is after starting it and warming up the engine. When I drive a bit of a distance that gets the engine optimum and I switch the engine off.....the car won't start unless I leave it to cool down or I push start it. What could be need of attention?
Click to expand...
FIP timing or possibly a leak off pipe leaking. My money would be on FIP timing beng out due to chain stretch. Needs diagnostics to check the modulation which should be 50% with the engine temperature at 95C.
 
Datatek said:
FIP timing or possibly a leak off pipe leaking. My money would be on FIP timing beng out due to chain stretch. Needs diagnostics to check the modulation which should be 50% with the engine temperature at 95C.
Click to expand...
Okay thank you very much. That just sounds a bit complex for me at the moment lol. Nothing simple as retard or advance? 😅
 
Your timing chain has stretched. Advancing the pump on its mounts can help but is not perfect as your ECU ultimately controls pump timing. You can also search online for P38 hot start kit, which is basically a small resistor in a box which fools the engine's ECU into thinking you're on the North Pole and advances the pump timing until it starts.
Funnily enough, the BMW 525 tds didn't suffer with this problem (same engine as your P38) so maybe BMW anticipated this issue.....
 
Rangieman123 said:
Your timing chain has stretched. Advancing the pump on its mounts can help but is not perfect as your ECU ultimately controls pump timing. You can also search online for P38 hot start kit, which is basically a small resistor in a box which fools the engine's ECU into thinking you're on the North Pole and advances the pump timing until it starts.
Funnily enough, the BMW 525 tds didn't suffer with this problem (same engine as your P38) so maybe BMW anticipated this issue.....
Click to expand...

The hot start fix is a bodge to cover up timing chain stretch, it simply implements cold start fueling it does not affect the timing. Re-timing the FIP does the job properly and cures the hot start problem. The ECU does not control the mechanical timing of the pump, it's electronic control is within small limits so if the mechanical timing is out, the ECU cannot compensate.
 
Last edited:
Kelvin'D-MiC' said:
Hello there guys. I have a P38 2.5TDi and the issue is after starting it and warming up the engine. When I drive a bit of a distance that gets the engine optimum and I switch the engine off.....the car won't start unless I leave it to cool down or I push start it. What could be need of attention?
Click to expand...
Anyone with hot start problems,the Kit is available from Pro Sport in Poland fro under £20 delivered,Google them
 
I wonder how he got on?

Odd, I would have thought any hot-start issue would have shown itself years before now.
 
Rangieman123 said:
Funnily enough, the BMW 525 tds didn't suffer with this problem (same engine as your P38) so maybe BMW anticipated this issue.....
Click to expand...

Didn't know that but I do know Land Rover played with the fuel mapping so maybe that was when the problem was introduced. Maybe the flywheel used on the Rangie is heavier too? The mapping is close but it expects the engine to start earlier when hot. I think later models assume engine is running at lower revs but also keep the fuel pumping to keep the pressure up and maybe even keep the glow-plugs on briefly, although now sure about the glows.

If his FIP is over 120k miles then it would benefit from a refurb. Do the static timing for the FIP as per RAVE. Replace the cam shaft bolt using a shim as per RAVE. Clean the intercooler out. New Beru glow-plugs. Check the starter-motor connections and cables are all clean and she spins easily - so good battery with plenty of CCA like a Platinum 643X. If it has been burning waste vegetable oil then maybe clean the injectors and check the valve ports for crud build-up. Check all air hoses from the turbo onwards are tight and not delaminated inside and she should fire up on the first turn of the engine every time.
 
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