Petecorbs

Member
Hi guys I know this is a thread that's been covered before but just wanted to get some clarifications. 1996 P38 2.5 dse manual. Car was given to me as a project during lockdown I am based in Algarve Portugal, so very limited to anything here other than going to main dealer!! I dont know anyone here with any diagnostic equipment and as it's the first and maybe only P38 I will ever own didn't really want to buy one if I can help it. Car was given in a terrible state, head gasket was gone, along with possible valve stem seals and maybe worse problems deeper down but with Time on my side it was a great job to keep me busy. Car had been worked on by other mechanics so no real idea of what I would find.

Engine had dumped all its oil lost power and stopped was towed to a friend's garage where it was then donated to me (I can here you all laughing now). On arrival we got it started it ran like a dog, smoking, hunting and generally not happy, so this is what we have done so far.

Engine was filthy full of black gunk took an age to clean flushed with deisel and new cheap 10w 40 oil added with filter as it's hot here and needs a decent thickness.

Ran compression test all cylinders were different ranging from 185 psi to 275psi so this led us to head off and replace what we could.

Put it to TDC (correctly with firing on cylinder 1) locked flywheel removed head and had it rebuilt, pressure tested, new guides, stem seals, skimmed, valve seats reground, but used old valves as they seemed good and within tolerance, (it appears it had a top end rebuild at some stage as valves were marked with punch holes to number them). Head replaced with new gaskets seals etc, top timing chain left alone, wasn't brand new but not terrible.

Once replaced we timed in the cam (4.61mm) on inlet side raised, bled the fuel system, removed pin and he turns over well, however we disconnected the battery and the project was dragged out over several weeks so now although she turns, she wont fire or even try to fire, we are getting power to the pump and can bridge relay 12 to prime the fip, plus the internal pump will run through the relay too so I now think we lost sync with BECM butvagain I'm not sure as not a P38 expert.

Any advice at this stage considering we have no diagnostics would be great and what steps you guys would take next, discarding taking it to the crap heap please Haha

Thanks in advance
Pete in portugal
 
If the BECM to EDC sync has been lost, then diagnostics is really the only way. Buy yourself a Nanocom, sooner or later you will need it for other problems and it can always be sold on when you no longer need it.
 
If the BECM to EDC sync has been lost, then diagnostics is really the only way. Buy yourself a Nanocom, sooner or later you will need it for other problems and it can always be sold on when you no longer need it.
Thanks datatek, where would u recommend we look dont really fancy chancing ebay and getting an empty box from China is tgere any reputable uk companies I could contact also what sort of money we talking.
 
Is @Shippers not out there somewhere? You could check the Landyzone International Rescue Map and see if there are any diagnostics nearby.
 
Thanks datatek, where would u recommend we look dont really fancy chancing ebay and getting an empty box from China is tgere any reputable uk companies I could contact also what sort of money we talking.

For Nanocom go direct to Blackbox Solutions website. Not sure how much they are now but maybe 400 Euros?
 
If the BECM to EDC sync has been lost, then diagnostics is really the only way. Buy yourself a Nanocom, sooner or later you will need it for other problems and it can always be sold on when you no longer need it.
I'm assuming there is no way of knowing by running other tests to confirm if that the issue for instance would HEVAC not work or lights or something else we could use to confirm
 
I'm assuming there is no way of knowing by running other tests to confirm if that the issue for instance would HEVAC not work or lights or something else we could use to confirm
There is no way to confirm without diagnostics.
 
You can buy a sync mate for the EDC from blackbox solutions for about £150 if you don't plan on keeping the RR for long https://blackbox-solutions.com/shop/product/bsm02 which is a cheaper quicker solution if just sync issue, just plug it in the OBII slot and it sync BECM back to the ECU.

As datatek said Nanacom provides best diagnostics but depends what you want to do and afford.
 
It’s good idea to disconnect the blue wire in the side panel of the boot connected to the fob RF receiver, put a bit of tape over it - good chance itl stop your battery draining
 
It’s good idea to disconnect the blue wire in the side panel of the boot connected to the fob RF receiver, put a bit of tape over it - good chance itl stop your battery draining

Read his post and my replies...am waiting on a responce...seems it's not his first P38...welcome to the world of mobile mechanics in the Algarve...we'll see as they say...
 
Barry to the rescue. And maybe Bertie too :)

Doubt it...the last one on here looking for help with his disco I pulled up was Lothianautos...didnt realise my partners family live in North Berwick and also my ex-wife...the wee scroat drives a crap souped up jap...thinks he's a mobile mechanic...asked him to post pics of his disco never to be seen again on here...
 
I'm in Algarve where are you...have a connection with a mate who is an autotech ...
Morning Shippers, im just outside Paderne, where abouts are you? No the first P38 i posted about on here was someone elses, but it was our success with that, after fitting a new BECM from Rick the pick in UK, that has actually led us to being given this one hahahah.
 

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