declanor

New Member
Hi. Only have my 98 2.5 p38 a coople of months but have most of it's problems sorted! What is really bothering me now is it's cold performace. First thing in the morning it just has NO power. Engine is perfectly smooth but it will hardly pull away, any sort of incline and you can forget about it. Starts and runs well with little or no smoke but the 1st ten minutes driving in the morning are impossible. It is manual btw. Has anyone any ideas?
 
Hi. Only have my 98 2.5 p38 a coople of months but have most of it's problems sorted! What is really bothering me now is it's cold performace. First thing in the morning it just has NO power. Engine is perfectly smooth but it will hardly pull away, any sort of incline and you can forget about it. Starts and runs well with little or no smoke but the 1st ten minutes driving in the morning are impossible. It is manual btw. Has anyone any ideas?

can you rev the engine up when it is just stood when first started.
 
that's one of his mane echoes..lack o of power below 2000... suggestions: power box, de-CAT , better air filter. all of them help in this echo.
manly because it a indirect inj. engine and it´s got a huge turbo lag..
if it´s to cold, maybe a heater may help. like the one for cold climates - winter pack -
 
Hi again all

I don't mind the total lack of 'balls' when hot, it is tolerable, but when cold there is nothing! Are they all like that? I am used to slow vehicles so that doesn't bother me, but when cold it is dangerous. Is there any that could affect it's 'cold' performance?

P.S. Has anyone fitted a superchip to a p38 2.5?
 
P.S. Has anyone fitted a superchip to a p38 2.5?

Just about Anybody who is not on here complaining about lack of power.:p

The P38 is virtually undriveable without chipping of one sort or another. I've a PSI Powerbox myself but Superchip have a pretty good rep on here.

What mileage is up on yours? They're generally bad when cold but yours sounds particularly so.
 
Mine has 113,000 miles up on it and I can't really complain about it cold. Hot start is a different issue! Mind you I live in a housing estate and have to drive a quarter mile before reaching the main road so I'm not trying to pull into traffic stone cold. I 've the chip in over 40,000 miles and ain't taking it out so I don't know what difference that is making.,
 
when i first got my p38 diesel the cold start performance was ok,if not spectacular.i then fitted a psi powerbox and boy what a difference that made.:D:D:D
 
Mines auto, but it still struggles up the hill from my house when cold unless I'm really brutal and rev the guts out of it.
 
Mines auto, but it still struggles up the hill from my house when cold unless I'm really brutal and rev the guts out of it.

that seems to be normal on the diesel,have you tried it in sports mode so that it holds the gears longer.
 
that seems to be normal on the diesel,have you tried it in sports mode so that it holds the gears longer.

No, I just hold it in 2 if I'm in a hurry and let it rev, otherwise I let it creep up the hill at it's own pace in the interests of preserving the engine. If it's very cold I start it up 10 mins before I'm due to leave so it's warm and de-iced. :D Does the same thing as Gav is trying to achieve but without the fire hazard LOL:eek::eek::eek:
 
No, I just hold it in 2 if I'm in a hurry and let it rev, otherwise I let it creep up the hill at it's own pace in the interests of preserving the engine. If it's very cold I start it up 10 mins before I'm due to leave so it's warm and de-iced. :D Does the same thing as Gav is trying to achieve but without the fire hazard LOL:eek::eek::eek:

ok,i do use the sport button and it does seem to be a better idea for me.aye gav is trying to make a heating system,knowing gav he will do it eventually.:D
 
Like all cold power sucks, mines an auto so it too needs time to warm up. I have a power chip on that makes it tollerable. Also fitted a hot start fix relay. This one is live for 30 secnds after turn on. still takes 2 heats on the plugs to have first flick starting though. Plus fitted new glow plugs this summer. every little helps.
 
Em, sounds like its kinda standard so.... How much will the superchip help the cold performance?

I will try to let it warm up as much as i can, then can use low range until i am past my longish steep driveway...

P.S. Starts great hot or cold!!!
 
Em, sounds like its kinda standard so.... How much will the superchip help the cold performance?

I will try to let it warm up as much as i can, then can use low range until i am past my longish steep driveway...

P.S. Starts great hot or cold!!!

if you fit a psi powerbox you will notice a vast improvement,i know i did.:D.it alters the fueling so it might help with the cold start etc.:D:D:D
 
I have a PSI power box, 98K on the clock, starts on the button first time. I dread to think how gutless it would be without it
 

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