Hello all,

I have owned my 2001 XJ8 Vanden Plas for the last two years and loved it everyday since. However, the motor mysteriously ate up two quarts of oil in 3,000 miles resulting in rod knock after being heavy on the throttle.

Luckily, I located a replacement motor from a crashed XJ8 vanden plas which the owner said was a 2001. Unfortunately, I discovered that it wasn't when I brought the motor home and started to prep my car for the swap. I found that the coil packs and timing sensors are different. I was immediately pissed off and called the seller back, we argued, and he didn't want to return my money... I should've done my research better but finding parts from where I'm from is tough and I got a little too excited and just pulled the trigger.

Can anyone give me some insight if the existing cam sensors from the 98-00 motor will work in my 2001 if I just rewire the sensor connecters and with the 2001 engine wire harness? If not, what do I have to do?

I am an ex-BMW mechanic so I have a bit of knowledge but I'm a noob to the Jaguar scene.

YOUR HELP IS GREATLY APPRECIATED!!

 

So, I figured that I need to swap over the VVT from one motor to another on this thread. https://www.jaguarforums.com/forum/x...or-swap-76888/

Is there anything else?

 

Just to be sure I understand; is the 'new' engine an AJ26 with the VVT solenoids out the front? The '99 - '00 cars should have an AJ27 engine with the solenoids out the top of the valve cover and that should directly swap with your '01.

If the 'new' engine is an AJ26 then you have to swap the intake cam in addition to the VVT's so that it will match your '01 sensor and harness. There are exhaustive discussions on this subject around. Search some more.

 

For ease of install I'd recommend using the same unit that came out, an AJ27. There's enough differences to cause headaches if you're not careful. Keep searching for the correct engine for a happy fix.

 

VIP....sounds like you prematurely shot your load mate ;o)=)

Seriously, it sounds like you have ended up with an AJ26 as has already been stated.
But to save a lot of grief you can readilt fit the motor straight in as long as you also use tyhe AJ26 engine harness and include the ignition amplifiers (attached to bulkhead)
You will need to change engine ECM and gearbox ECM so that everyuthing is getting the correct signals.
You will need to fit thye earlier MAF meter as well.
And if the enmgine is manufactured before SEpt. 1998 you will also need the ealier TB and associated bits for the cruise control.
The only reason your engine has failed is because of extreme abuse and/or lack of proper servicing...namely engine oil and filter changes.
The use of cheap and crappy oils is a major factor in the demise of thesde very reliable and well designed engines.
Both engines are basically the same design with uprates of course on the AJ27.

Best of luck.

 

I've recenly swapped AJ26 in AJ27 XJ8.
You'll need to use the following parts from your old engine:
-Front cover
-Heads (IIRC the right hand bank head on AJ26 doesn't have the provision for the camshaft sensor)
-Camshaft and VVT units, VVT solenoids
-Head covers
-Oil pump
-Oil sump (no provision for oil temp.sensor on AJ26)
-Flexplate
-Intake and throttle
-Everything else.
In fact the only thing you could use is the short block of AJ26, everything else should be installed from AJ27(your old engine).
There's a full gasket kit available from dealers, which helps a lot. Don't forget about the new harmonic balancer bolt.
Also it's a good idea to change all seals and so on.
Also you'll need some special tools to set the timing and you'll need to adjust the valves(tricky job )

 

Ohh boy, it sounds like I made a huge mistake. sigh*

 

Not necessarily-

You will have a better motor in the end, think about it.

1. You can redo the tensioners and rails, which you probably want to do anyway.
2. You can get the heads from your old engine milled and a valve job done= better, smoother running car
3. You will have new seals= leak free motor


It will cost a little bit more, but you will have peace of mind knowing it is buttoned up right- Just follow the advice here and do it methodically, you will do fine.

 

It's not a big problem to convert AJ26 to AJ27 and, as a dsnyder586 said, you'll have almost perfect engine in your car.
No need to spend a LOT of money (IIRC the gasket kit cost me less than 70$ with shipping from UK to Russia, it even includes the valve seals and so on).
No leaks, valves done, new tensioners (upper and lower, which is hell of a job if the engine is not removed from vehicle).
It'll be a good time to renew a thermostat housing, which is prone to break and which is hard to remove in a normal situation.
For me it took about 3 days (with all the parts available) to remove AJ27, disassemble AJ27, disassemble AJ26, clean everything, valve job, new seals, valve lash adj,button the engine up (AJ267, huh) and install it.
So, be positive