I happened across this 1997 XJR that has sat behind an out of business car dealership for about 4 years.

I purchased it and had it delivered by ramp truck this morning.

It's dirty, but all there.. and I believe it will clean up very nicely.

Oil is full and doesn't appear to be contaminated..

Engine turns over with no unusual noises.. just doesn't fire.

Doesn't fire even with some starting fluid shot into the intake so I'm not
sure yet if it is getting spark.

Going to start searching the forum here for diagnostic procedures..

Do you think I should drain the gas and start with fresh?

I once bought a 1966 Riviera that had been sitting in a garage for 9 years and it fired right up
and ran well with a jump start.. so I'm not 100% sure the gas 'needs' to be replaced.
The Jag only has about 1/8 tank showing right now..

So, initially.. new battery, oil change, and check for spark / fuel..

Off we go

 

Neat find, how many miles?

How's the interior?


Personally with any car that has sat for a couple or more years, I'd change the fuel, motor oil, coolant and brake fluid first off before getting it back on the road. Those are a must.

And of course I'd check the health and level of the steering and transmission fluid. And both of those are easy to change/refresh with a pump down the dip-stick and reservoir if you are willing.

It might fire up just fine with existing fluids, but they are sure to be deteriorated. So I wouldn't run it long.


The real one to worry about is the brake fluid. As I'm sure you know, brake fluid is hydroscopic, so after 2, 3 or 4 years the fluid will likely have a significant water content which is bad for the internals of the brake components (esp ABS valve bodies, ask me how I know on my 1995 Riviera that sat for several years ). Also of course any significant water content in the fluid will decrease braking performance as well.

And of course, the basics, air, fuel and oil filters. All easy.

I'd check the plugs too while you are at it, again easy.

As far as not starting, I'd check that you are getting fuel (at all and pressure) and spark. Clearly lack of either is going to be an issue

Look forward to more photos of your 'find'.

Any idea why it got abandoned?

.

 

Totally agree. New fluids (all of them) plus filters would be a must if it were mine.

Nice looking machine!

 

The modern fuel with alcohol is bad news when stored. Chances are pretty good the fuel pump needs replacing. But definitely plan on removing the old fuel. Pulling the tank and having it cleaned would not be a mistake. And don't forget the fuel filter.

 

The car has 93,651 on the odometer.. and the interior is really very nice.

Headliner has a little sag at the rear that I'll address.. and the ashtray in
the drivers rear door is missing it's bright cover plate.. the cover is there,
but the bright part isn't.. I'll try to track one of those down.

Tomorrow morning I'll be picking up a battery, filters and fluids.. and I'll be
draining the tank and testing the fuel pump..

Tonight will be 'forum research' night, and I'll get a list together of projects
in order that will hopefully lead to a successful start up~


edit: as to the cars lack of use for 4 years.. It was for sale at a used car dealership
that went out of business. A few of the cars sat on the property untouched
till a friend of mine with a salvage company purchased them this week as a lot.. I have the clear
MA. title and a bunch of paperwork that came with the car showing regular maintenance and
a few repair receipts up till '09. Car was built in Oct 1996, sold new in GA. Then at 64K it came to MA.
That was in 2001..

I'll post a couple interior pictures tomorrow.. It's relatively clean as is
but I want to get the car running and driving before tackling the cosmetics..
It'll need a pro detail job to bring the paint back.. it's very dirty..

 

Look first in the door panel for it. I had a very strange metallic sliding sound somewhere in the rear of the car "occasionally" on stopping. Eventually noticed my right rear bright cover was missing...finally made the connection - can't remember if I found it when I had the door panel off for speaker replacement or when? But it was buried in there, sliding around. Stuck it back on, now if a kid rides back there and fiddles with it, will come off and often as not slide down under the ash tray. Pull the tray out as you would to dump or clean it and fish around underneath, you may find it.

 

This (the chrome cover coming off the ashtray lids) seems to be a common problem, and interestingly I see it lot on the rear LH side. I wonder why.

Anyway, mine is off too, and currently sitting in the door pocket.

It easily snaps back on, but won't stay. So I guess I'll have to glue it.

What has worked well for others to glue/reattach it permanently? There isn't a lot of clearance when the chrome cap is reattached so something like double sided tape probably isn't a good idea.

I was just going to epoxy it most likely....

.

 

sometimes a simple spot of silicon in the center will be enough to hold it in place until it ever "needs" removed. Put a tall drop in the center, so it can be squeezed and spread out when the cover is snapped back on. No need for epoxy.

I had to do something similar to the little, square, black plastic screw cover on the interior door handle that kept falling off. It stays in place, but can still be removed, if needed.

 

Nice find. Congrats. One more Jag saved. Just curious. What did you pay for it.

 

Here's what I did today.. still not running~

1. Drained gas via siphon pump
2. Removed level sending unit and was able to siphon almost every bit of fuel remaining from that opening.
The gas was nasty.. creamy for the last couple gallons..no doubt water contaminated from clogged filler drain
3. Added 5 gallons premium fuel
4. Disconnected fuel line at rail and cranked car to get what was in the lines replaced with new fuel
5. Attempted to start car.. cranks fine but no hint of firing
6. Pulled coil cover, pulled first coil and plug, checked for spark by cranking.. No Spark
7. Put a new spark plug in the coil and checked for spark again.. Lots of spark
8. Changed all 6 spark plugs
9. Put everything back together and attempted to start car again.
Exacty the same.. cranks fine with no hint of firing.
Tach at 200 or so while cranking, Oil pressure comes up while cranking


Done for tonight.. Tomorrow I'm going to spray starting fluid in the intake while cranking to see if it even sputters on that.. I have spark now and I'm wondering about fuel pressure and clogged injectors from sitting so many years.

I had my son turn the car to 'run' while I listened in the trunk and I can hear at least 1 fuel pump turn on for about a second and a half or so.. I think that is normal till the car fires up?

I can't find a schrader valve anywhere so I'm not sure how to check the fuel pressure..

I also didn't change the fuel filter yet.. I just can't get to it well enough to break the lines free with the car jacked up and the rear wheel removed.
Would be easier with a lift (isn't almost everything)

 

Wow! Reminds me of how I found my 95 XJR. Mine had been off the road for about a year. New fluids, tires and rubber bushings for suspension and she is as good as new at 105K miles. You will LOVE your XJR.

 

Sounds like you're well on your way to checking the right things. Injectors could be the problem, but that could be electrical as well. I would be surprised if all 6 would be 'clogged' completely. So I would think you should get some fire, even if it doesn't run in that case. You might see if they are getting their signal.

Yes the fuel pump will run for a short bit until pressurized. There is no shraeder valve to check fuel pressure that I am aware of. I think some have rigged something up if you search for a thread about fuel delivery/pressure.

.

 

This mornings update..

Took off air filter box and sprayed starting fluid in to intake area..

Turned the key and after 2 cranks it fired right up and then quickly died..
like it 'ran out of gas'. No doubt, it just ran on the starting fluid.

Gave it another shot with same result.. Then cranked for 30 full seconds for the heck if it.
No fire then.. just cranking.

I cracked the fuel line slightly open and got a bunch of dribbling gas..
Once it stopped, I turned the key forward and got a big spray out of that joint..
Turned the key off, cleaned up the fuel that sprayed out and decided the car has plenty of fuel pressure LOL..

SO, I've got fuel pressure, I've got spark.. it fires on starting fluid.

As Al has stated, I need to determine of the injectors are actually getting signal.
I agree it's doubtful all 6 would fail at once. (athough not impossible)

Is there anything else I need to check that is related to the injectors getting a signal?
Any sort of relay? or alarm that might disable them?

Feel like I'm getting closer, I'm anxious to hear it run



Off to AutoZone to rent a noid light kit

 

Nice! So that's what my car will look like cleaned up

 

Noid test completed..

I now know the following..

Car has new battery
Gas is fresh (premium)
Fuel pump running at key on
Fuel rail has pressure
Spark plugs are new and verified firing while cranking
Car will fire on starting fluid
Tach reads 200 or so while cranking
Oil pressure comes up while cranking
NOID light flashes while cranking on each injector harness plug

Seems to be pointing to the injectors themselves.. It appears from inspection sticker,
previous registration, and service records found in the car, it was last running in the fall of 2009..
5 years is a long time to sit so I guess the injectors could be gummed up enough to not fire at all.

I'm going to order a set of injectors Monday.. If for some reason it turns out to be something
other than them at least I'll know they are good to go..

 

There are places that will service, rebuild and clean Jaguar injectors including all new filters.

The result is a known flow balanced set of injectors.

That might be more attractive even if the price was the same.

Lead time is about a week?

 

Hi Kev,

I'm tending to agree with you that the injectors are probably gummed up, but I'm mystified as to why the engine will run on starter fluid but not gasoline. Since you're thinking of replacing the injectors anyway, it might be worth pulling the fuel rail and leaving the injectors installed in the rail, then cranking the engine briefly to see what you can tell from the injector spray pattern. Obviously if any of the injectors is working you're going to create an explosive air/fuel cloud, so please use all possible caution and don't sue me if you incinerate yourself!

There are commercial services that will clean and service the injectors for you, but if you're willing to do a little prep work, you can clean and service them yourself with an inexpensive filter & O-ring kit from eBay. Below are links to photos showing how I did it:

Welcome to Jag-lovers - Members Photo Viewing Page
Welcome to Jag-lovers - Members Photo Viewing Page


If you don't want to try cleaning your injectors, I may just possibly have a set of new-old-stock original Lucas/Bosch injectors to fit your supercharged car. Send me a private message with the last six digits of your VIN and your email address and I'll see if the injectors I have are correct. If they are, I can probably make you the deal of the century.

Cheers,

Don

 

Thank you Don.. PM coming!

 

The guys on the Riviera Performance forum love "Mr Injector".

Mr Injector - Home


The service is $16 per injector, and the turnaround is just a few days.

It is on my list at some point, just because

.

 

Any luck with starting the engine?