XJ XJ8 / XJR ( X308 ) 1997 - 2003

2003 XJR blown engine fix or part out

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  #1  
Old 09-04-2012 | 06:06 PM
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Default 2003 XJR blown engine fix or part out

so its confirmed....


Engine blew ...

sooo... replace engine .....??

or part out???

2003 clean xjr california car never seen rain or snow ...clean body...

Damn it ...i took such good care of this car...
 
  #2  
Old 09-04-2012 | 06:18 PM
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Bummer
It's worth little as is. Can you source a good used engine?

I can attest to undertaking a full part out. In my case I've dismantled several BMWs that were bought as engine donors etc. Enthusiast forums are your best place to sell parts. Be prepared for chiselers and time wasters, also be prepared to properly pack and ship parts, not always easy to do. Body parts must be sold locally, shipping is ALWAYS a deal killer.
If you have a tolerant family and neighbors, lots of time to dismantle, inventory, store and advertise parts you may end up with more $$ than the car was worth whole but not without considerable effort. I still have bits of cars from four years ago. There is a reason those junkyard guys are always grumpy.
 
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Old 09-04-2012 | 07:13 PM
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Clean car with a clean interior?

REPLACE THE ENGINE.

It is worth way more parted out, but replacing the engine wouldn't be a dealbreaker for me unless the car had alot of damage or the interior was trashed. (as was the case for two XJ's for me)

Plus it is a great experience and fun to watch people's eyes when you tell them you replaced the motor yourself

If you part out the engine, you can probably recoup 1/4 of the cost of a used replacement motor, so factor that in. If you can get one with the peripherals still on it, all the more. It really isn't that hard to do- I was a little reticent the first time, but now I would definitely do it again.

BTW- are you in Canada or California?
 
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Old 09-04-2012 | 07:54 PM
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Yea a very clean car inside and out....

just sucks....

im still wondering why it blew...

If anyone knows of an xjr engine for sale let me know...

Im in Toronto Canada...

imported the car from California a year and a half ago..
 
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Old 09-04-2012 | 08:23 PM
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Sorry to hear that. I hate to see a good car stripped down. It's one thing if it's a writeoff.

However you have a hard decision to make and I would only caution you about the timeline and hassle of having a car torn apart all over the place.

If you were out west, I'd be interested in the whole car. What was the problem with the engine?
 
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Old 09-04-2012 | 08:31 PM
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I dont know exactly...I have to go see tommorow

something about the sparkplug breaking off and falling into the cylinder ...anyone ever heard of something like this ?
 
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Old 09-04-2012 | 09:05 PM
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Hmm. Spark plug in cylinder?

Is the Engine REALLY done, or do you just need to replace a piston and head?

"you need a new engine" only if the current one cannot be repaired at a comparable cost.
 
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Old 09-04-2012 | 11:59 PM
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I've had an electrode break off and damage the piston and head a bit. Luckily no cylinder or valve damage, though.
 
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Old 09-05-2012 | 08:50 AM
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Originally Posted by jameson
I dont know exactly...I have to go see tommorow

something about the sparkplug breaking off and falling into the cylinder ...anyone ever heard of something like this ?
A broken off electrode will typically just bounce around a bit and get spit out the exhaust, sometimes without any damage at all.
A loose insulator is much more likely to be blown out the top as unless shattered won't physiclly fit through the spark plug's shell, if it did shatter it is then less likely to do damage.
What were the symptoms and has anyone looked in the offending cylinder with a borescope? No need to open it up to inspect. Borescope and compression or leakdown test will give the information you need.
From here it sounds as if someone has jumped to a conclusion perhaps not merited.
Good luck
Oh, what sort of spark plugs? I've heard stories about those gimmicky plugs with a bunch of electrodes shedding them.

EDIT; Just found and read your other thread. The conditions, high speed running under boost and symptoms, smoke through exhaust, oil in airbox point to a holed piston. The spark plug failure is likely a consequence of the same severe detonation that burned through a piston rather than the cause. Again, a borescope will reveal a lot, sounds like compression will be zero in that hole.
If you repair this engine I suggest the knock sensors be carefully inspected. If a cylinder is damaged you are done, the Nikasil bores don't lend themselves to re-boring and sleeving is more costly than a used replacement.
At least it went in a blaze of glory.
 

Last edited by ross1; 09-05-2012 at 09:12 AM.
  #10  
Old 09-05-2012 | 09:00 AM
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I agree with all the above answers, specially if the car is in a good/excellent condition.

I have parted out two cars myself, it is not a easy task. I also still have car parts from 6 years ago. When I moved, most of it went to metal recycle place.

You need to get some more answers from the mechanic thats looking at your car.

Even it is do need a engine, I vote to fix it.

SGB
 
  #11  
Old 09-05-2012 | 06:15 PM
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I found an 2001 xkr engine in Montreal with 142 k km or 89 k miles...

comes bare ( just engine no supercharger )

comes with 1 year warrenty....
 
  #12  
Old 09-05-2012 | 06:30 PM
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Thumbs up buy it now

Originally Posted by jameson
I found an 2001 xkr engine in Montreal with 142 k km or 89 k miles...

comes bare ( just engine no supercharger )

comes with 1 year warrenty....
Do it, and I'll help. But first get a deffo on the state of the original...it might just need a cylinder head. Boroscope should confirm.
 

Last edited by Sean B; 09-05-2012 at 06:34 PM.
  #13  
Old 09-06-2012 | 12:37 AM
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Don't forget to find the root cause of the issue!
 
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Old 09-06-2012 | 02:56 AM
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What shop do you have it at?
 
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Old 09-06-2012 | 04:54 AM
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Originally Posted by ross1
If a cylinder is damaged you are done, the Nikasil bores don't lend themselves to re-boring and sleeving is more costly than a used replacement.
If it's a 2003 car, then it won't have nikasil. Dunno if it helps in repairing a damaged cylinder though.
 
  #16  
Old 09-06-2012 | 07:05 AM
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The car is at a shop here in Toronto called the cat's cradle. He specializes in repairing jaguar as you can tell from the name.

Gonna have to make a decision soon....I think im gonna have to repair her...
 
  #17  
Old 09-06-2012 | 07:32 AM
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  #18  
Old 09-06-2012 | 04:40 PM
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Default 4.0 self replacement

I purchased a rebuilt 4.0 long block from an outfit in Detroit for $5000 and installed it myself in my XKR. It was a big job that took more than a couple weeks. I did have to make a holder for the crankshaft pulley but that was the only special tool needed. Unfortunately, I don't think the outfit in Detroit is around anymore. If you try to do the repair yourself take lots of photos and remember to install the dip stick holder before anything else.

RagtopXKR
Brent
2000 XKR Conv.
1968 Camaro Conv.
1969 Cutlass Conv.
1961 Nash Metropolitan
1942 Dodge 1/2 ton PU
 
  #19  
Old 09-06-2012 | 08:12 PM
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Originally Posted by avos
Don't forget to find the root cause of the issue!

Ive been trying to figure it out myself....mechanic said i just pushed it too hard...

I usually push it hard but that day I just floored it... went over the redline...

as It happened Ive been saving up for the twin screw supercharger mod but once again an unexpected expense happens...

I always thought these engines were bulletproof...
 
  #20  
Old 09-07-2012 | 12:56 AM
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Pushed it too hard? Nah. More like something went wrong internally- and how did you push it over redline with the rev limiter?

SO is there a hole in the piston and damaged cylinder or not?

WHAT EXACTLY is broken?

"pushed it too hard" "broken spark plug" are not descriptions of what is actually wrong with the engine....
 


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