just wanting to get an idea of peoples thoughts and experiences.
now i understand that an engine rebuild is an expensive process,
but i am just tossing up if itis worth putting the coins aside for it or not.
so, my engine currently has 360000kms on t so it has had a decent run.
it still goes well. (i can't tell how much power is lost as i have no idea how any other drives).
but i am sure internally it is showing its age, there are a few spots of oil leaks, mostly the front crank seal,
so i am just looking at it like this atm.

so, I take it in, get the front crank seal done, get the wds software run to hopefully bring the idle back down,
spend a decent bit of coin on that,
then maybe a little down the track there is a leak here, or a leak there, or a worn something and obviously need to spend more.
obviously don't want to spend a bit here and a bit there what not and then in just a little while it adds up to more than what a rebuild would have cost but have much less work done.

so just trying to weigh up the likely hood of needing to keep getting engine repairs done v biting the expensive bullet and getting a rebuild done.

expensive job but obviously something that there would be no comparison to how it makes the car feel.

 

Hello Spud. Just went thru about two years ago a expensive rebuild on my Jaguar XJR i6 motor. The major expense was the custom made Wiseco pistons in oversize with new rings. $2200.00 American dollars. Bearings, Chain guides, Seals and such were like finding hens teeth. I would do a compression test and cylinder leakage test way before any tear-down, Then draw conclusions. You might be better off with a known junkyard engine with 1/2 the
mileage and just do a reseal.

Thank you.
Larry Louton

 

The normally aspirated AJ16 engine is cheap to obtain as a replacement option with it's market value

The problem being Australia

The max mass air flow rate at a given RPM and compression test are things you can measure and compare to others

A TSB recommends not revving to full RPMs if not moving and this probably has to do with transmission cooling

 

A compression test is done at cranking speed by the starter with coils and fuel supply disconnected.
A leakage test is done with a special gauge that induces 100 lb of air pressure into the cylinder at TDC of the cylinder. Any air passing around the rings counts as a percentage of loss. 15 % to 20 % loss is a bit much.

Larry Louton

 

From B1mcp

X300 Engine Compression Test - Jaguar Forums - Jaguar Enthusiasts Forum

 

Ok, so from a chat with a jag specialist here it seems a full rebuild is not an option due to pistons and other parts being NLA, and a even just a top end rebuild Head and up would be looking at $3000-$5000.
so definately not a financially viable option.

so hopefully the wear on the motor is not too bad yet,
i will get this front crank seal done and then evaluate where other components sit,

if the engine does look worse for wear then trying to source a lower KM engine would be best option.

there is also the option of doing something along the lines of a engine swap, using something like a ford Barra motor, (4.0 I6) but then that is likely opening up a huge can of worms with the SLCU and getting the car to actually run.

 

I have seen some for 500 dollars US as a market value reference point

You can put a E - Mail alert on Ebay Australia and see if one comes up and set it aside

 

yeah i will keep an eye out for engines or low km wrecking cars as i know that parts will only get harder and harder to find.
getting a spare engine before it is needed is not a bad thing.

 

Some time ago, there was a thread attempting to find the highest mileage AJ16 still going strong. I cant remember the winner, but am sure 360000km wouldnt have placed in the top 5. With decent oil and regular changes, your engine could be in a lot better condition than you think. The high idle problem is well documented ( and wouldnt be fixed by a rebuild) as is the front crank oil seal. Nil desperandum, and soldier on!

 

yeah thanks,
i do plan to keep soldiering on,
and i hope it does have a lot of life left in it,
was just trying to guage a cost of a rebuild to guage if to do repairs or overhaul.
but yeah it seems that the best way is just keep her going and she'll be right.

 

Loving the determination.
I have a parts car which was running well, I am mainly using it for body parts and trim. I know shipping can be expensive, but if there's anything you can't source just ask.
I haven't cherry picked it apart just yet.

 

Thanks.
it is great to have nice helpful people around.
i keep hoping to find a parts car come up around here i can grab but not to be atm.
oh well.
i love the girl and in time i will spend all the money on her she needs.

 

A number of years ago (ten?) a large USA Jaguar dismantler was offering very-low-mileage AJ16 engines at near give-away prices. I wanna say $300 each. They had storage racks overflowing with 'em....but there simply wasn't any demand.

And in the rare cases where repairs were needed rebuilders were unable to find pistons and bearings. They were NLA from either Jaguar nor usual aftermarket suppliers. No demand = no supply.

It'll be interesting to see if this changes in the future. I doubt that it will. The AJ16 was just too good!

Cheers
DD

 

Over the years there have been a lot of ex Hong Kong Jags. brought into Australia specifically for wrecking.
They could not be brought in intact and generally had to have some form of "cut" to avoid import duty on complete vehicles. Most had not even got to 100,000 Ks
I was offered an AJ6 engine for my then XJ40 for $1000 with less than 50,000 Ks since new.
One place in Brisbane had many AJ6 and AJ16 engines that they couldn't sell due lack of demand, so they were selling them to scrap metal dealers.
Unfortunately, that place has closed due the proprietor's old age and illness.
It might be worthwhile to enquire around if any low mileage imports are still around