Hello all !
I have a 1988 XJSC V12. I had the radiator change , the transmission rebuilt and the exhaust changed. The car has since then been sitting still for 2 years.
I'd like a "Step by step" procedure to restart this feline without breaking any Any suggestions ?
Thanks!

 

Empty the fuel tank and flush the lines, get some fresh fuel and filter in there. Oil change and filter and coolant. Fresh, fully charged battery and then spin it up.

Once running allow to warm up at idle while you check around for leaks. When you're happy the engine is ok, shut it down. Then you can move onto the brake system and gearbox.

 

Big warning here !!
I was rebuilding a Series 3 engine and it took rather a long time. Finally the engine was assembled and started and shortly after I got a very loud tapping in the cylinder head. Checks of the tappet clearances showed a large clearance on one inlet valve. Yes, it was a bent valve !! The head had been standing so long since I had ground the valves in etc, that one of the valves must have been a bit lazy returning due to lack of lubricant, (inlet valves have the oil seals on them). So valve and piston shook hands !!


So my advice is to make sure the valve gear and valve guides get well lubricated, and the engine is turned over a few times without starting, to ensure the valves return OK. You could even take the valve covers off and look.

 

the way that I have started my XJ-6 after sitting for 2 years is to:

1) make sure you have a fully charged battery, add 3 gallons of high octane fuel to each tank, (really there is no need to drain tanks IMHO, just burn the old fuel). Have a flashlight handy.

2) Open Bonnet / Hood, get in car and place the shifter in 1 (First Gear),

3) turn ignition switch to START and hold for 4 seconds to pressurize/charge fuel system,

4) repeat number 3 again, changing to opposite fuel tank,

5) repeat number 3 again, changing to opposite fuel tank,

6) repeat number 3 again, changing to opposite fuel tank,

7) place shifter in D or N and crank that baby without mercy. It should start happy.

8) inmediately get out of car and observe for any fuel leaks or fuel odors with flashlight, shut engine off inmediately if any fuel leaks.

 

Being a V12, and an XJ-S, you just might get more specific answers in the XJ-S section.

What has been suggested is all GOOD, but removing the V12 camcovers to pre lube the valve train is NOT a 5 minute task, as it is on the 6cyl half engines.

After mine sat for 3 years, I simply refreshed the fuel, and a decent dose of Injector Cleaner. Draining an XJ-S tank is simple.
Fresh oil and filter.
Primed the oil system via the oil sender unit fitting, and a syringe full of oil, until I felt SERIOUS resistance, meaning the crankshaft was FULL, but the overhead gear is on its own until the oil gets there.
Prime the fuel rail, Ign ON and OFF 3 times will do that via the ECU timer circuit. Then with the Ign ON, press the gas pedal FAST, ONE time only. This will trigger the 12 injectors, and spray fuel into the intake valve area.

Drink some Scotch, you will be shaking by now.

Close your eyes and turn for start, its a V12, it will fire right up. You do have FAITH, do you not???????

Dont crank for more than 5 seconds at a time, The starter motor will get too hot. This is only an advice, you should NOT need to crank that engine much at all.

 

But...I think there should be no "problem" with most of the vital organs. The radiator was changed by a serious professional who knows these cars, and he ran it for 20 minutes to test his job... the car worked fine, not even a engine pinging or whatever. Then a year later the transmission was rebuilt and re-installed , with new exhaust system, by a professional transmission specialist with 30 years experience. He ran test with same results in 1995.
Last year, to prove to my wife that this was not a "piece of old junk", I started the engine and you could barely hear it. Smoooothe !!!

I don't want to break the good spell I'm under !

Now, I will have indoor parking and professional tools to make this lifetime project come to life. (Buy the way, I just bought myself a bottle of Johnnie Walker).

I will read all your replies and get myself hyped up to post my progress!
Thanks everyone!

 

I have trouble seeing my replies . Is this normal or a "moderator issue"/ and some unforeseen evil forces?

 

it is probably your eviled browser. What browser are you using? try Firefox, Internet Explorer sucks.

A new browser I am using is called "Pale Moon", a lot more stable than any other browser, including Firefox.

 

OK. In case you are reading this for the second time ...Sorry my computer crashed.
As for your advice, GREATLY APPRECIATED !
As for the car, here is a short history:
Bought by a medical doctor in Ontario Canada. 1988.
Then he died. The car was bought back in 2013.
Plugs and oil changed by the buyer.
I then bought the car, (2014iIt therefore had only one "driver " but three owners...)
I had the radiator changed by "Décarie Radiataor" in business since 1976 in Quebec. And by the way, the owner had a V12 for a while. He personally knew the beast. The engine ran fine, thermostats tested and all. Not even a pinging sound.
Then, a year later (2014), I had the transmission rebuilt by "A-Plus Transmission" (in business since 1975), where the mechanic knew all about the danger of the mischievous transmission mount! They ran test after the procedure. It is impeccable.
I only want what is best for my kitty.
To convince my wife the car was not "an old piece of junk", I started the engine, with no further preparation, last summer. It was so smooth, we barely heard the engine...WOW!
I don't want to break this miraculous streak of good vibes!
This car could be "concourse material" if I plan this project intelligently.
I will read every post I get. This is my lifelong dream. Let's have fun.
Thanks again!

 

yeahh, I drove a 12 cylinder XJ-S Coupe for a few days. The engine ran so smooth I wasn't sure if it was running, and it accelerated like a bullet, almost giving me whiplash.