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Cathys

New Member

• Mar 4, 2015

• #1

Hi All,

See my previous posts for the problems we've had with our P38. It is not running smoothly and backfiring among other things...

So our P38 is at the mechanic and we have replaced the spark plugs (65 quid for 8) and cables (40 quid), and coil pack.

Misfire was still happening but better, cleaned injectors, replaced catalyst. Catalyst left side was heating up like a fireball after driving around.

They have said they will need to replace the camshaft. The mechanic (offroad well-known racer in turkey) said he can hear it. However, I believe they have only heard it on petrol and we do have problems when we use petrol, LPG runs fine - so is this still a camshaft problem?

Also, what are these cars like at speed? Can you go 120 km/hr comfortably?

Thanks in advance for your help.

 

MrGorsky

Well-Known Member

Full Member

• Mar 4, 2015

• #2

120 km/hr is a piece of cake in a Range Rover. You should hardly hear the engine at that speed.

If it runs fine on LPG it should also run fine on petrol. Certainly the cam shouldn't make any difference between the two.

£65 for 8 sparking plugs is a lot too. I've just got 8 for about £20, but that was the UK. Perhaps Turkey is very expensive for sparking plugs.

 

Castor

Trainee maniac

• Mar 4, 2015

• #3

Was that catalyst fireball on Petrol or LPG?

Is the backfiring on Petrol or LPG?

 

Last edited: Mar 4, 2015

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Cathys

New Member

• Mar 4, 2015

• #4

Thanks MrGorsky. Running on LPG isn't great but a lot better than petrol. Engine doesn't seem great at higher speeds. It is not smooth either, but it doesn't have air suspension and we have rough winter tyres on. Also drove a VW passat before this so could be used to this car too much.

If we get a new camshaft, is it best to get a good brand one? Also the lifters?

We were quoted 20 quid for each lifter (or poorer quality for 4.5 quid) and a good quality camshaft is hard to find... so were quoted 65 quid for budget quality one.

The leads we got were not good quality either.

As we have very limited funds, is there something here that is a must the we splurge on?

 

Castor

Trainee maniac

• Mar 4, 2015

• #5

Have you had a compression test done?

 

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Cathys

New Member

• Mar 4, 2015

• #6

Yes we did a compression test. It was good after the spark plugs and cables were changed (I don't have the results). However, it went down again... apparently they changed the camshaft today and the compression results were normal again.

 

stevef1964

Active Member

• Mar 4, 2015

• #7

I had a misfire on my '95 old 4.6 HSE, one that you could just hear, but it caused lumpy running and affected the gear changing at around 55mph.

It was the camshaft, one of the pear shaped lobes had worn down to nothing which meant the exhaust gases in one chamber were not being ejected because the valve was not being lifted.

Hope that helps.

 

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Cathys

New Member

• Mar 4, 2015

• #8

stevef1964 said:

I had a misfire on my '95 old 4.6 HSE, one that you could just hear, but it caused lumpy running and affected the gear changing at around 55mph.

It was the camshaft, one of the pear shaped lobes had worn down to nothing which meant the exhaust gases in one chamber were not being ejected because the valve was not being lifted.

Hope that helps.

Click to expand...

Thanks a lot, that does help.

Do you think we should try and source a better camshaft? Or will having a cheaper one just mean that it is likely to wear out faster? We will sell the car within the next few months as we are moving abroad and obviously don't want any problems while we still have it as it is a good 2 day drive to see the mechanic.

 

StuckAgainSteve

Well-Known Member

• Mar 4, 2015

• #9

If the cam is heavily worn it's likely all your plain bearings (big ends and mains) will need replacing from swarf damage - plus the rocker shafts and rockers. A new cam and new OEM lifters is the only sensible way to go.