I’m sorry, I should have come back to tell anyone following this thread what was the outcome.

after I did the compression test ( disabled Petrol pump and ignition) , removed the spark plug and turned over 3 or 4 times took a reading,

then put 3 squeezes of engine oil in the same cylinder and turned over again, took a reading.

The readings dry and with the oil were significantly different, from average of 70 (no oil in cylinder) to 120 ( with oil), think I wrote them down, so I’ll put them on here if I can find them.

After I had completed compression test, enabled pump and ignition.

Turned over and the Jag STARTED, what a relief.

so, I’m still not totally sure what the issue was, possibly a combination of problems.

1. Petrol Pump failed, so changed that.
2. Error codes for Crank Sensor and Cam Sensor, changed those and replaced Upper Tensioners - both sides.
3. Considered key failure, luckily had two keys
4. Bore Wash - no compression
5. Filled each Cylinder with three to four squirts of Oil ( significantly higher compression, car started)

 

Had this issue of backfiring through the TB on many occasions with the original 3.2 Nikasil engine and the dreaded Bore Wash, in fact, it's what brought me to joining this wonderful Forum.

The last time it happened it blew the plastic pipe from the MAF to TB completely off breaking the 2 lugs that it is fastened down with, the backfire also blew out both Knock Sensors, mine was a single Cam Sensor left bank rear.

Fortunate to come across a Jaguar replacement steel lined engine with 72k miles out of a barn stored write-off. With two knock sensors, new top and lower chains and tensioners, Cam & Crank sensors, it fired up first time. I did have a bore wash problem again when my son moved the car off the drive about 10 feet then switched it off and left it. Taking the fuse out for the pump, then foot hard down with this engine and she fired up no backfiring on that occasion (so not sure if this backfiring could be a Nikasil problem?).

I think there are a number of areas that could be the issue preventing a startup, there is no difinitive answer, the only way forward I fear is to eliminate each process one by one. Unfortunately for me, I changed a load of bits and spares etc, so I never did find out why it backfired and wouldn't start! One-by-one issue and try it after each, that's the only way to pin point what it was.

BTW, that kit looks very similar to mine and that worked great. Remove the Crank Sensor and put the same shaped Crank Stop in to the flywheel first and fasten in. Then check the 'flat' parts at the front of all 4 camshafts, they should all be parallel to the cylinder head, the two black pieces of your kit will help confirm that when fastening them down. Check it as you tighten the bolts, don't force them. If all isn't 'sqared up' and in-line, then the valve timing is out! if they are lined up, tighten down the black Cam clamps, then you can start removing chains and tensioners. VERY IMPORTANT: Check the orientation of the two chain sprokets on the Crankshaft, they have to line up the right way or it will cause serious damage. It's all clear in the Workshop Manual.
Paul

 

you can reliably flood these cars. start wait 5 seconds shut it off and it probably wont start back up without a fight. foot to floor = fuel inhibit


the aj33 and later don’t do this

 

Here are the readings from my Compression testing before the car started up which i referred to a couple of messages back.

Compression Tests as follows

Status:
...............................With Oil 2/3 squirts
......Dry................through Spark Plug Hole

1 = 75 ...........................115
2 = 55 ...........................126
3 = 56 ...........................110
4 = 106..........................136
5 = 70............................138
6 = 95............................124
7 = 95............................136
8 = 96............................146

So, looking at these numbers I would want to assume that Bore Wash was a factor in the non starting, but as I had to change the Cam sensor and Crank Sensor on the Gearbox, its not 100% clear.