Hey Everyone,

I took a look around the forum, but I wasn't able to find any relating solutions-- so I apologize in advance if this question has been asked before.

Vehicle:

2000 Jaguar Vanden Plas
~22k Miles, Fully Serviced Yearly (without issues)

The car has sat for about a year, with about a quarter of a tank of gas. The battery is brand new. When trying to start the vehicle, the starter turns over rapidly but the engine is not firing.

From a local auto part store recommendation, we added some fuel octane additives into the tank with 5 more gallons of fresh high-octane fuel. The engine still won't start up.

Whats the best way to get the vehicle started? Is it possible to siphon out the old fuel (or drain it in someway), and refill it entirely with fresh fuel? --or could the problem be more severe?


Thanks in advance for all your help!


All the best,

Joe

 

Sounds like a loss of compression to me. Try removing the spark plugs, spraying oil into the bores, replace the plugs, pull the fuel pump fuse, turn starter to build up compression again, replace fuse and go for a start.

Is your engine a very late Nicasil one? If so, you might have problems...

 

depress the shrader valve on the fuel rail and check for fuel pressure first. pump hate sittign in fuel tanks with ethanol blends and low fuel,thats why I had to replace the pump, sender and tank in my Suburban, then if you have fuel pressure when you turn the key on, then squirt a couple shots of oil in the cylinders like stu said. other wise youll spend alot of wasted time if the pump seized.

 

+1

 

If it was outside, consider the possibility of water in the gas. When you do the pressure test that brutal suggested, release some fule into a glass jar ans check for water.

 

Thank you gentlemen-- I'll give it a shot this weekend and let you know how it turns out.



All the best,

Joe

 

This link might help Nikasil No Start Cylinder Washing

 

Gentlemen,

One quick question. I removed the housing cover over the spark plugs, and the first two bolts holding the coil pack. However, when I go to remove the coil pack it seems to be held in there pretty well.

I just want to double check if there is anything else holding it in there, before I really go at it to pull it out. Thanks!

Here's a picture of the coil pack:




All the best,

Joe

 

In addition to above ^^


Also, I almost forgot to mention-- I turned the ignition and checked the fuel pressure valve and fuel came out under a decent amount of pressure. So it seems like the fuel pump is hanging in there-- Hopefully getting some oil in there, will build up some compression and get this car running again! ;p


All the best,

Joe

 

The two bolts are the only thing holding the coil pack in place. You may need to apply a little pull and twist to get it out. As for the fuel pressure, using a pressure gauge is the proper way to check.

 

All the oil thing will tell you is the condition of the rings. If you have a valve problem it will do nothing. I would do a quick compression check while I had the plugs out. If you get a low cylinder the oil will tell you if it is a ring problem.

Best check is a cylinder leakdown test.

Try squirting just a bit if starting fluid in the intake and see if it fires.

 

DO NOT use starting fluid. the bottom of the intakes are full of oil and the engine WILL backfire! You will crack or and or launch the intake to the ceiling. Ask me how I know this

 

+ 1 This needs to be in BOLD for everyone to see!!!!!

 

The coils will be held on by the rubber insulation boot extending down over the plugs. They can sometimes be very hard to remove after a dozen years in a very hot environment. You may even pull one or more apart. Pull and twist. They have to come off in one piece or two. Someone here found them at a NAPA store for a '00 Lincoln LS for a couple bucks each.

Consider smearing the inside of the boot with some dielectric grease when going back together. That way they will come apart easier another dozen years down the road.

 

Thanks for the clarification! I'll follow the original plan-- of just placing some oil in each one, building up compression, and then getting this car fired up.

I'll give it a shot tomorrow or Wednesday at the latest and let you guys know how it turns out. Thanks again!


All the best,

Joe

 

Good Luck!