no start 87 xj6

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Oct 22, 2008 | 06:53 PM

drholcombe

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no start 87 xj6

Hello, I am new to the forum and also new to jag's.I have a 87 xj6 that I bought on ebay a few months ago. The car ran realy great and is in great shape with 133k miles on it. The last couple of times I drove it when I first cranked it up it would crank rite up. The when I put it in drive and would acelerate it would run rough for a minute or so and then it would smooth out. The other day Iwent to move it. I cranked it up and it ran fine. Then I went to move it back it would not start. I have verefied it has spark and it is getting fuel. I pulled a spark plug wire and hooked it up to a spare plug and turned it over and saw spark. I also pulled the fuel line off of thefuel regulator by the fuel rail then turned it over and fuel came out. With what I did can I assume by what happened that it is getting fuel and has spark?

What else shouldI check. I really like this car and would like to fix it with out taking it tothe dealer.

Thanks!
Dennis

Oct 22, 2008 | 08:28 PM

JagtechOhio

Joined: Mar 2008

Posts: 2,521

Likes: 71

From: Powell, Ohio U.S.A. 43065

RE: no start 87 xj6

Inspect the convoluted hose that attaches to the left side of the airflow meter, and the short straight hose that is clamped onto the throttle body.Vacuum leaks at these connections are common, and the airflow meter flap will notopen properly if the leak is severe enough.

High mileage 4.2 engines occasionally suffer fuel pressure regulator failures that result in excessive pressure: your pump is working, but if the regulator is stuck closed, theplugs are getting flooded. You need to connect a pressure gauge and see what is in the rail when you crank it over.

Listen for injectors clicking when you crank the engine: a failed coolant temperature sensor for the fuel injection will disable the system, so proper fuel pressure does you no good if the injectors aren't opening to fuel the cylinders.

If any of these points are helpful, please let me know what type of doctor you are so that I may get somefree advice in return. Hopefully you are in the mental health field.

Oct 22, 2008 | 10:56 PM

drholcombe

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RE: no start 87 xj6

Thanks for the suggestions. You mentioned the fuel injectors clicking. I do not think the injectors are clicking when I turn the car over. Wher is the coolant temp switch you are refering to? sould I still check the fuel pressure or do you now think the injectors are not working? Also Im not a DR. It is just my initials. I have a good bit of experience with Volvo's but this is my first Jag. I had nice hands and finger nails until I bought a Volvo. I am sure they are not going to get any better with the Jag!
Thanks for your help!
Dennis

Oct 22, 2008 | 11:05 PM

JagtechOhio

Joined: Mar 2008

Posts: 2,521

Likes: 71

From: Powell, Ohio U.S.A. 43065

RE: no start 87 xj6

Listen to the injectors with a stethoscope (or through a screwdriver handle, since you're no Dr.). Coolant sensor for injection is on RH side of engine, atop water rail, towards the rear. Buy a Haynes manual for $15.00 and try to keep the pages clean.

Oct 23, 2008 | 01:23 PM

skanoski

Senior Member

Joined: Oct 2007

Posts: 327

Likes: 1

From: Philly

RE: no start 87 xj6

I had a similar problem recently turned out to be a bad wire in the cold start circuit I believe it was near the "thermotine" switch. Check your wires and relay connections.

Oct 23, 2008 | 01:39 PM

JagtechOhio

Joined: Mar 2008

Posts: 2,521

Likes: 71

From: Powell, Ohio U.S.A. 43065

RE: no start 87 xj6

Thermotime switch opens cold start injector for a max. of 5 seconds: absolutely necessary for cold starting, but irrelevant once engine has started. This would not be associated with the rough running once started, provided the symptoms were accurately described.