Hey guys XJ8 2001 4.0 started her last week to make sure she was good for work As stood around for two weeks, Fired up no problem, waited till revs settled then turned her off, Went to start a few days later and if you see attached video you’ll see what’s occurring, got fuel pressure, battery fully charged, even tried a new battery, had Spark plugs out, noticed a little oil in there before I took them out which was odd as can cover was done last year, plugs are a year old so they’re ok, not sure if she’s flooded but thought that was sorted with steel lined engines, last step is putting oil in to get compression before I get her towed unless anyone has any ideas? Thanks

 

My 2001 XJ8 has a nikasil block. MY is not an indication of what engine you have, you need to find the ENGINE NUMBER (manufacture date/time).
My 2000 XJ8L has an iron liner block from a 2002 S-Type 4.0 (AJ28 converted to AJ27) so someone could have changed the engine unless you have owned it since new and know the history.

Even iron liner bores can get 'washed' but the nikasil seems more susceptible.

 

So you would suggest it’s bore wash?

 

It seems that starting and running a cold engine for a very short period of time is a good recipe for bore wash as this is the period when the engine runs rich. I think that, if a cold engine is started, it should be left running until it almost reaches the operating temp and then revved a bit a few times before switching off.

 

If you are getting fuel and spark, I would guess 'bore-wash'.

I use a bulb type syringe to put a few tablespoons of engine oil into each cylinder to get the compression up.

 

Thanks, I’ve got an oil can I can use that should do the trick, so you think two table spoons will be enough? Obv it would be x8 for each plug hole yes?

 

Too much will only be SMOKIER than too little, but too little might not get the engine started so you would need to repeat.

Leave all the plugs out and crank the engine over for a bit, then install plugs. (no hydraulic 'lock')

 

So when all spark plugs are out start the engine? What will that do out of interest?

 

Crank the engine over with the plugs out to spread the oil and to ensure that you don't have too much to cause a hydraulic 'lock' and break a rod or piston etc.

Install the plugs and start the engine normally.

 

When you say crank the engine what do you exactly mean, just so I don’t do something catastrophic 😂 I put oil in today and she started for about two seconds and that was it, back to what you see in The video, I put about 5-7 squirts from the oil can in each cylinder

 

MAF . ignition coils . various sensors . clogged injectors. ignition module .

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