For the past week my father and I have been fiddling with an XJ6 series III 1985 trying to start the engine but no success. The car has been sitting for some 5-8 years without running.

When we crank it there is no sign of it wanting run on its own unless we spray starter fluid into the air intake.

We have so far "discovered" that the fuel pump is functioning and that there is fuel all the way to the fuel rail. The fuel pump starts when the starter runs and when we move the flap in the flow meter. I have removed the connector from one of the injectors and tried to measure the voltage when cranking. My small Fluke apparatus goes from 0 to 1V when cranking. I am not sure if the Fluke is fast enough to actually measure this.

When emptying the fuel rail the fuel was not 100% clear. We then decided to pump out all fuel from both tanks. We simply removed the hose going from the fuel pump to the metal pipe leading to the fuel filter and emptied it into a jerry can. When we could not pump out any more fuel we opened the drain plugs. In the left tank there was only a few drops left but the right tank still contained 10l plus.

In short, there is fuel all the way to the fuel rail and since it runs on starter fluid there is spark.

I would be very thankful for any hints.

Cheers

Gustaf

 

I would guess on blocked or sticking injectors.

As the car was not put away with empty tanks, old fuel may have gummed up inside the injectors or anywhere else in the system for that matter....

6 or 12 cylinder?

 

Agreed that the injectors might be fouled or stuck.

Also, having fuel at the rail is good but you have to have enough fuel pressure. Do you have a pressure gauge to check?

Should be 36 psi while cranking the engine

Cheers
DD