One thing you all forgot ------ small vacuum hose under inlet manifold to fuel filter housing ---- the little brass nipple gets blocked causing the engine to lose power under load

Today removed all the electronic throttle stuff including pump and fitted mechanical pump so now TDI needs pump mods and then ready for off roading 👍👍

I've had 2 p38s same issue --- xyz switch and ECU 🙄 I guess that switch failure took out gearbox ECU or vice versa

If you're fixing a slew of problems for a friend --- good luck with the friendship --- P38 is marmite --- you love them or hate them
Myself I wouldn't give a DSE houseroom However V8 that's my passion
So many diesels are neglected and have more issues than I'd care to mention
You definitely need rave and diagnostic
On here you will see just about ever issue p38s suffer from
Mine took about 1 1/2 years of hard work and cash to do --- now it's a show machine while I drive disco 1s daily

You can pretty much bet that whatever price you ask --- running or not ---- They will pay
Those things up in value like series land rovers ---- God knows why they're awful --- slow leak are about as waterproof as a tea bag
But for some reason Very desirable
The cheapest landys are p38s but these are slowly gaining in value

Hi mate so you took the plunge on a P38
I've come to the conclusion that diesel p38s get used and abused more than V8 p48s
I've got early vogue se and 2 discovery 1 300tdi,s 1 auto with sunroof and bars one owner from new p reg
Manual no roof bars or sunroofs
Both 7 seaters
This is the place to be with a P38
I build/tune marine diesels and tune mercury outboards
Hate water myself --- had enough from leaks on vogue

Some DSE have egr valve ---- that can cause issues ---- so yes could be mag or egr Also vacuum pipe fitting from filter to bottom of inlet manifold can block with gunge --- or sometime can split vacuum hose

Could well be chain stretch/tensioner wear
What you need to do is plug in computer and check fuel values ---- if out Then remove inlet manifold --- you can fire up without it
You will need special socket to loosen top of pump ----- cranked 12mm ring spanner to loosen pump( mark it to block 1st) don't forget bolt under rear of pump
Tom at rover views helped me out by reading off values while I did adjustments

Or governor & pistons gunked up inside the pump --- steel liner dural piston= piston sticks as does governor causing starting problems by jamming shut ---- I m just trying to save lots of headaches & messing around
It amazes me how people overlook this issue with pumps ---- injectors nozzle assembly can stick too ---- I would do rebuild of mates injectors but can't get parts --- good ol' BMW

Remove fuel filter and tip some fuel out then top up 2 stroke oil ---- pistons in diesel pump getting stuck ---- if no leaks as BrianH said

Ventured out in vogue today and met a guy with a DSE --- it was nice but the bloke was a real fruitloop ---- he was going on about how changing the fuse to ECU gives you about 50 hp
Didn't bother telling him that I oversee engine building/tuning for marine use
Hope you all have a lovely Christmas time with your loved ones too

Be careful you could be miles away from home and then it lets go ---- ask how I know 🙄🙄

Wouldn't like to say ---- heater matrix 🙄🙄

Tom's got a few as he's stripped out 3 & got another 2 waiting ---- he's got a white one with the l322 body kit fitted that's got the headlights like l322 as well That's going to be stripped too I think

Reminded Tom he on it for you

No worries mate you will be surprised by how little chain stretch throws fueling right out
Hope you get it sorted out soon

Tom's got 1 you should call him on mobile tomorrow morning or I can mention it if you want as I'm over doing my 2nd disco off roader

Might be valve seals or rings --- compression test will find issue --- at a wild guess I'd say valve seals /valve guides as they take most heat/wear

The problem is simple ---- you need to plug computer in and set diesel pump ---- my mates DSE kept doing what your ones doing even stalling
Check whatever you want BUT set pump up 1st
That's why I don't like BMW --- chain drive so stretch= pump out
I could say tank pump etc but as Diesel engine tuning and building is my day job thought I'd point you in right direction

Probably a bit late but maybe inlet gasket leaking or if like my vogue --- crack in inlet manifold 🙄