Hey everyone! I have recently bought an old Jaguar (XJ40 1992 4.0l inline 6 I think the engine is called something with AJ6 or something), I got it from a guy who couldn't get it started. I tried getting it started but it would not turn over at all. I have tried with some miracle oil that was supposed to make the engine turn over again, but no luck. I have tried heating it as well but no luck there either, I also tried turning it over by turning the flywheel with a breaker bar but no luck there either. This guy said to me that the car has stood still since 2013 so 7 years as of 2020. The car stood with the engine bay open (I do not know why) so water has somehow gotten into the engine and since we both live in Sweden the water in the engine froze over the winter. I guess that its the piston rings that are stuck somehow maybe the water moved the rings and they got stuck under the engine block (I have not opened a crankcase before so I do not know if the rings even can get down there). I think it was driven to the place it stood before I moved it by a trailer.

Engine bay from the left side

Engine bay as good as I could from the back

Engine bay from the top as good as I could

 

I would start by purchasing a one of those cheap USB borescope units from ebay or other similar place and use that to get an idea of what the insides of the cylinders look like.

USB borescope from ebay https://www.ebay.com/itm/112321261565

But I would also be searching around to see if I could find a replacement motor just in case this one turns out to be complete trash.

 

Your pics show no spark plugs or wires. If that's how it was stored before you got it, you're out of luck, since you stated that it was stored with the hood/bonnet raised. That being the case, yes it is going to be impossible to get this one going without a replacement or rebuild of this one. You have a project ahead of you, if you're up to it!

 

Find a used motor or disassemble this one and inspect the head and cylinder walls..

If indeed water was allowed to stand inside the cylinders, the head may be warped as the water froze.

 

Hello Emil,

Welcome to the Jaguar Forums! It's great to have you with us.

Given the history of your poor XJ40, it may not be worth the trouble of disassembling the engine to assess its potential for a rebuild. Aside from premature head gasket failure, the AJ6 engines have proven to be virtually bullet-proof, so demand for salvaged engines is very low, which makes them cheap. My recommendation would be to source a good used engine from another 4.0L car, preferably from the same model year. The 1993-94 cars had some changes that might present some compatibility issues with your engine management system, electrical connectors, etc.

Please visit the New Member Area - Intro a MUST and post a required introduction so we can learn something about you and your Jaguar and give you a proper welcome.

Cheers,

Don