Been really happy with mine and Joying customer support is also very good with emails answered within 24hrs.

Thanks for the pics Tannis.

The cable snapped two weeks ago so last weekend I replaced it. Worked ok but felt a bit odd until two days later the car wouldn't stay unlocked. The driver door latch wouldn't unlock properly even though it was trying and so the central locking would just re-lock. After trying a few things I forced the inner door opening handle which broke something inside but stopped the issue and it now locks and unlocks normally. I suspect that part of that mechanism had fouled. I haven't looked yet but suspect that the plastic bellcrank/leaver is not broken. Looks like I'll be visiting the breakers again soon.

The joying 7" touch screen single din head unit with separate screen is one of the best things I have ever done to mine.

Yep, and there have been two V8 P38s with cooked engines down the local breakers in the past 6 months.

Not having a pop at the V8, just pointing out that both engines have their (over emphasized) problems. I have had the diesel engine in a few different vehicles in the past and each has been reliable and in the cars gave good performance once remapped. None of the engine choices in a P38 make quick cars (I reckon they should have wired the 'Sport' switch to make the dashboard laugh at you when you press it) but the 4.6 has better low down torque making it that bit more capable. The diesel in particular has poor torque below turbo revs even when fitted to cars.

To be fair, that expensive diesel pump doesn't give any real problems. They can leak when they get old but can be repaired in-situ with a bit of care.

As for stretched timing chains, they don't really change the way it drives. Just hot starting which is easily fixed with a cheat box. How quickly do the cam-shafts wear out in the V8?

Broke the drivers door internal opening handle. There appears to be a problem with the latch mechanism itself. Currently having to open the window to let myself out.

Well this thread has made for some depressing reading. I mainly do short trips with a couple of miles on a dual carriageway but part of that is up a steep hill. My Diesel averages:

Road tyres 21 MPG
Mud tyres 19 MPG

But then I suppose I don't have the added complexity of the V8 with an ignition system and an LPG system.(I also don't have the low down torque of the 4.6...)

Just received one. It certainly fills the hole and is quite tall (I may modify the strap a bit to fit better) and the leads had to be stretched a bit to reach the posts but it does fit. Starting the diesel is now almost instantaneous! It spins the diesel 6-pot over as if it were a Ford Fiesta!

Ooh crikey, that Hankook is a big bugger. The restraining strap is bulging and the leads had to be stretched a bit to reach the posts!

However, it certainly does the job! Starting is now pretty much instantaneous. In fact it spins the engine over that fast I reckon I could legitimately claim it to now be a hybrid by pulling the fuel pump fuse and driving it around on the starter motor.

The old battery provided sterling service for two and a half years but didn't have the welly behind it that this one does. It is however still under warranty so I haven't finished with halfrauds just yet.

This was the biggest they did and is bigger than the one they specify for it (which means cock-all, I know).

Either way, I have cut my loses and ordered a Hankook. In fact I think they may have tried to deliver it today to my parents place as a delivery van pulled up across their drive, but then drove off again. This was about the same time I had a missed call on my mobile. As it's a road without house numbers I'm guessing he must have been phoning me for directions...

I am probably wrong but did the later models have a slightly different method to sync the key-fob by inserting it in the ignition barrel and pressing the unlock button? Or am I thinking of a completely different vehicle?

Hello and welcome to happy hour, who's round is it?...

Meter was zerod yes and placed around the battery earth cable. Interestingly I get different figures depending on which direction the instrument faces?

Either way, I am feeling comfortable with the current draw. The vehicle is acting in a similar manner as described for the peugeot, you can hear the ABS pump labour and see the dash lights lose some of their sparkle as the battery discharges.

As you may have guessed I am suffering from a flat battery issue. However, in my case I suspect the battery is at fault. Unfortunately Halfrauds little battery test box does not agree and so they are so far refusing to honour the 5 year guarantee (battery is not quite three years old yet).

Thanks for the replies, much appreciated. Assuming I'm using the tool correctly (clamp style DC ammeter as recommended in the other post) then mine is drawing about 90 amps for the full duration that the glow plugs are energized, then it drops right off.

If that 13amp per plug is correct then I should only see 78 amps plus any other loads (12 amps?)

Hello folks,

I know the majority of you have the V8 model but I was wondering if anyone out there knows what current draw I should see when the glow-plugs are active?

I am learning how to use my new tool but I appear to be drawing over 90 Amps when the glowplugs energize. Is this about right? The glowplugs are about 6 months old.

Just ordered one. :)

Happy new decade!

I'm starting the decade by following the 'Electrical Basic Test' on this very forum as I am suffering from flat batteries and the Halfords magic test box says that both battery and vehicle charging systems are fine.

Edit - Looks like I need to clean/replace my earth straps and charging cables. 190mv from alternator body to battery -ve post and 300mv from alternator output to battery +ve post.

Ooh, another oil burner. Our numbers are swelling. :)

All sorted, I'd torn an O-ting on the servo/power/spool valve sleeve. Now all good. Try'd out the traction control on a slippery muddy embankment and it kicked in and out as advertised. Didn't get up the embankment but at least the system operated and the intention was there.

Lpgc wrote:

@Smiler Out of interest what's the story behind your mention of PPC mag? A long time ago a different mag (Iirc Car Mechanics mag) did a big feature on LPG and I gave them most of their tech info for a free plug lol.

I am one of their 'Staff Car' writers. Practical Performance Car magazine. I'm supposed to be writing about the Scimitar but the P38 manages to make regular appearances. The magazines director Kevin Leaper has been building a Range Rover classic purposely to be run solely on LPG. To this effect has has been building a high compression V8 for it.