I have a P38 Range Rover with the 2.5 BMW Diesel engine, i,v just taken it for its first road test ...and probablys the last if this is as good as it gets ! , the vehicle drives superbley apart from its sluggish on pick up ( has an auto box) and top speed is around 65mph, the vehicle has been maintained by a main dealer and a "specialist in land rovers", has any one got any idears what could be wrong or is this standard, thanks
j the range
New Member
go back and take some body with you. if you unsure leave it, there are loads of p38s out there for sale..
softop2011
New Member
had my p38 auto ( bmw powered) for 6 months fitted a chip from bearmach slight improvement but still slow off the mark and not much power but has a good top speed - really bad when cold - slow response after pressing throttle seems ages before it reacts - hope to get answers from somewhere .
Check the pipe from the MAP sensor bolted to the fuel filter, is connected under manifold, has no splits and is not blocked. Check that manifold outlet is not blocked and MAP sensor inlet is clear. sounds like you have no boost fuelling.
softop2011
New Member
runs better when hot but is sluggish - really really bad when cold job to pull off the mark - ordered new filters air/fuel will change next day or so - re made the end on the manifold to ? (whatever the sensor) pipe is and checked the maf unit clean inside and was ok - air filter slightly dusted ( cleaned )- but it seems the turbo comes in late around 2500 rpm ??? 
runs better when hot but is sluggish - really really bad when cold job to pull off the mark - ordered new filters air/fuel will change next day or so - re made the end on the manifold to ? (whatever the sensor) pipe is and checked the maf unit clean inside and was ok - air filter slightly dusted ( cleaned )- but it seems the turbo comes in late around 2500 rpm ???
Turbo always comes in at 2500 rpm. Try cleaning the intercooler out.
softop2011
New Member
sounds like a bit of a task - will have a look thanks
Can be done in a couple of hours, could make a considerable difference, if it's choked up with crap.
softop2011
New Member
Hi again -just took the flexi cooler pipe off to look at the condition from the egr valve end - the valve area was all bunged up a bit but the intercooler pipe going to the valve, and the outlet of the cooler (with the pipe off that end) seemed quick clean a bit of dust on the rag that went into the cooler outlet but no where near as gunked as the egr valve - by the way - i think i may have a leaky seal on the inlet manifold No 6 cylinder - oil leaking from what looks like the manifold flange cleaned an old leak yesterday and now slight dribble today - could this be dragging air in and having an affect ????
The manifold is under pressure from the turbo i hardly think it will be dragging air in. Take the EGR valve off and give it a good clean with some petrol and blow off. If EGR is sticking open that would give you problems. Should not be dust in intercooler there should be an oil film in it. Still worth cleaning out if it has never been done before. It is supposed to be done around every 48,000 miles.
softop2011
New Member
sorry - meant that it was slightly dirty but not as gunged not dusty - mileage about 70k so may need a looking at - gonna get my spanners taaaaa
Get some Plusgas for the retaining bolts they do tend to be hard to get out sometimes. Put a little Copaslip on them when they go back.
Datatek
Well-Known Member
runs better when hot but is sluggish - really really bad when cold job to pull off the mark - ordered new filters air/fuel will change next day or so - re made the end on the manifold to ? (whatever the sensor) pipe is and checked the maf unit clean inside and was ok - air filter slightly dusted ( cleaned )- but it seems the turbo comes in late around 2500 rpm ???
A duff in tank pump can make them sluggish. Always a bit tardy when cold, I hold my in 1st/2nd on the gear stick to climb out of my place
A duff in tank pump can make them sluggish. Always a bit tardy when cold, I hold my in 1st/2nd on the gear stick to climb out of my place
Yep Data another good point. No diesel gives good power when cold it's in their nature not to. Because the combustion process relies on heat. This problem could and most possibly is a lot of small problems adding up to a whole. A good service and clean out may work wonders.
