Hey guys,

I need your help: my '98 x308 3,2ccm is currently in the work shop and got a replacement engine from 2001.

The mechanic tried to crank it, but it won't start. The error codes say something like "cam shaft/crank shaft position sensor signal is not plausible".

However, we found the problem, but aren't sure how to solve it. The 1998' cam shaft has one pin for the position sensor and the 2001' has four already, which makes sense, but confuses the ECU.

Is it possible to change ONLY the rear piece from both camshafts (see picture below). And if so, how do we find the exact position of the pin?

Plan B is just sawing off the unwanted 3 pins on the 2001' cam shaft, but I'm quite sure that this is not possible due to the position of the last pin.

Viele Grüße aus Deutschland,
Dave

 

the new cam shaft, see picture below

 

Did you also change a flexplate?
They are different on an AJ26 and AJ27 engines.

 

Not yet, but it's already planned.

I know about the differences (esp. from your former postings here in that forum, thanks for that), but the 2001 engine was already swapped in a 1998' XJ8 by Jaguar itself. They might have swapped the oil pan and so on and probably the ECU, too.

My first suggestion was just to swap the ECU, but the mechanic said the XJ8, where the 2001' engine was from, is a RHD and my car is a LHD. He said this will cause trouble with the keys, harnesses and some unexpected behaviour.

 

The engine will not start with incorrect flexplate.
It's not only ECU-swap issue. To swap the AJ27 in an AJ26 car you'll need to swap a whole wiring and modules.
The control modules and CAN signals are different for these modules. If you'll try to plug 2001 ECM in a 1998 vehicle it will not be able to communicate with other modules.

 

What I said, the AJ27 was removed from a 1998 XJ8. It is a replacement engine from Jaguar itself, which was replaced in 2005. I have all documents incl. MOT reports and invoices.

It doesn't even have VVT. See picture below, it's an AJ27 replacement engine for AJ26 vehicles.

So in my opinion I just have to change the cam pulser (or the whole intake cam shaft) and the flexplate/flywheel and I should be fine?

 

Replace a camshaft, flexplate and you're done.
Also, you should use your original intake and throttle body.

 

Thanks!

Is it possible to change the whole cam without special jag tools?

What about the valve clearance? That's something I cannot do and the mechanic doesn't seem to be happy about that. He's a former BMW engine revisor/mechanic and said that this will be a hard job to do. Is he right?

Does he need a special tool for installing the shims?

 

You'll need a special tool (even hand-made) to set the timing.
Adjusting the valves is easy enough, but it may require removal of the cam or usage of the air gun.

 

Thanks for your help!

(And many thanks to avos, even if he's not present here, we had email contact and he helped me a lot, too)

 

Good luck with your cat

 

There's a procedure where the reluctor can be swapped and no need to re-shim the valves, using the original cam, I'd be more inclined to carry this out than a laborious re-shimming job. But make sure it's bang on 100% where it should be. JTIS has the process.
All 3.2 have no vvt.

 

That sounds good! I already checked the JTIS, but wasn't able to find anything. You have a source for the procedure?

The only thing I found was this picture below, here from this forum.

 

Found that:

 

yes that's it David, hope that is of use.

 

Have you done that job already?

I'm asking that, because I phoned my mechanic a minute ago and he's quite sure that the reluctor is conical. He tried to get it off yesterday, but it doesn't moved a single millimeter.

 

Heat and threadlock, it had to go in so it must come out, tech scared of breaking something?

 

Thanks, that's very helpful! Yes, he's a very careful mechanic

 

Please note, the AJ27 4.0 engine has VVT, and the camshaft is specially made for that. So the timing / profile will not be good for your 3.2 engine that doesn't have VVT and the camshaft isfixed in 1 position.

So better to re-use your 3.2 camshaft, and if you still want to use the 4.0 VVT camshaft then measure the timing/profile (also the 3.2, to know the base), and check with someone experienced if it can be used and also how to set the timing as good as possible.

 

Hey avos,

sorry that I have confused you in the email conversation. It's not a 4.0 litres engine. Both are 3,2. I asked you if I can use a 4.0 litres cam shaft, because I have one in stock.

My old 3,2l engine died on the Autobahn and has had run way more miles than the replacement one, so I assume it wouldn't be a good idea to focus on that, probably broken, cam shaft. I have currently no access to my car nor the engines, so I can just assume...

See pictures below. The AJ27 is a replacement engine from Jaguar itself for an XJ8 3,2 Sport.