90 XJS Won’t Start
#1
90 XJS Won’t Start
So, I started it up and pulled it out for a wash. Washed it, added just a couple oz. of Lucas engine oil stop leak as it has a minor drip underneath onto the floor and when I tried to start it up, it will turn over but not start.
Any ideas? I have the battery on a charger, but cant think of what happened.
Any ideas? I have the battery on a charger, but cant think of what happened.
#3
Assuming a V12????????
Starting a V12 and then shutting it down before any real temperature has been reached, is a HUGE no no.
Then the dreaded gas pedal pumping, oh dear, you have squirted fuel into the thing and its flooded.
Let it dry out, a day or 2 is the normal time, and all should be fine.
Starting a V12 and then shutting it down before any real temperature has been reached, is a HUGE no no.
Then the dreaded gas pedal pumping, oh dear, you have squirted fuel into the thing and its flooded.
Let it dry out, a day or 2 is the normal time, and all should be fine.
#4
#5
Oops.
The shut down:
1) Was it instant, as in a switch being flicked
OR
2) It spluttered to a stop.
Alternator has ZERO to do with this, so forget it. As long as the alternator is charging, thats all it needs to do.
Being a Marelli equipped car, I strongly suggest reading ALL the notes on the Marelli system, and its quirks, usually over a bottle of fine wine, its that long.
The servicing of that car now raises its ugly head:
How old is the fuel filter, dont know, change it.
How old are the spark plug, dont know, change them.
How old are the HT leads, same ask, change them.
The distributor cap and rotor are the main issue with these beasts, and when you have digested the notes on that section, you can check/modify yours.
There are 2 (TWO) crank sensors, one at the front, one at the rear, and they, and the wires related to them, give grief.
The igniters, one for each coil, mounted on the radiator top panel, also have their issues.
The list goes on, and is looooong, and you will need to work very systematically through the systems and find the issue/s and fix them.
My extended time with the V12's usually has an errant wire that reeks havoc, and finding that wire can sometimes take weeks.
The shut down:
1) Was it instant, as in a switch being flicked
OR
2) It spluttered to a stop.
Alternator has ZERO to do with this, so forget it. As long as the alternator is charging, thats all it needs to do.
Being a Marelli equipped car, I strongly suggest reading ALL the notes on the Marelli system, and its quirks, usually over a bottle of fine wine, its that long.
The servicing of that car now raises its ugly head:
How old is the fuel filter, dont know, change it.
How old are the spark plug, dont know, change them.
How old are the HT leads, same ask, change them.
The distributor cap and rotor are the main issue with these beasts, and when you have digested the notes on that section, you can check/modify yours.
There are 2 (TWO) crank sensors, one at the front, one at the rear, and they, and the wires related to them, give grief.
The igniters, one for each coil, mounted on the radiator top panel, also have their issues.
The list goes on, and is looooong, and you will need to work very systematically through the systems and find the issue/s and fix them.
My extended time with the V12's usually has an errant wire that reeks havoc, and finding that wire can sometimes take weeks.
Last edited by Grant Francis; 06-08-2018 at 08:16 PM. Reason: spelling still sucks
#6
#8
Spraying Water into an XJS is one of the 7 deadly sins and I've even accidentally done it myself, it was only a few drops but it played havoc with the engine
Which was making such a crazy noise I thought I'd dropped a Valve, though fortunately it was Summer, so I left the Bonnet/Hood up all day so she could be warmed by the Sun
After which I started her up and She was ok after that
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Kariblay (06-08-2018)
#9
Hi Kariblay
Spraying Water into an XJS is one of the 7 deadly sins and I've even accidentally done it myself, it was only a few drops but it played havoc with the engine
Which was making such a crazy noise I thought I'd dropped a Valve, though fortunately it was Summer, so I left the Bonnet/Hood up all day so she could be warmed by the Sun
After which I started her up and She was ok after that
Spraying Water into an XJS is one of the 7 deadly sins and I've even accidentally done it myself, it was only a few drops but it played havoc with the engine
Which was making such a crazy noise I thought I'd dropped a Valve, though fortunately it was Summer, so I left the Bonnet/Hood up all day so she could be warmed by the Sun
After which I started her up and She was ok after that
its really curious to me that it would start and seemingly run fine for several miles, then lose the engine suddenly. If it is/was water, I may never wash it again!
#10
Hi Kariblay
Your problem is almost certainly down to Water Splash, which may have traveled along the Vee or got blown about by the Fan
In my Case it was just a few little droplets but the Engine was making such a noise that I thought I'd wrecked it
Wash the Car as much as you like but never let water anywhere near the Engine, a couple of days in the Sunshine with the Bonnet/Hood up and She should be fine
I've even got a Video of it somewhere (it was really that bad!)
Alex (OB)
Your problem is almost certainly down to Water Splash, which may have traveled along the Vee or got blown about by the Fan
In my Case it was just a few little droplets but the Engine was making such a noise that I thought I'd wrecked it
Wash the Car as much as you like but never let water anywhere near the Engine, a couple of days in the Sunshine with the Bonnet/Hood up and She should be fine
I've even got a Video of it somewhere (it was really that bad!)
Alex (OB)
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Kariblay (06-08-2018)
#11
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#12
Join Date: Nov 2013
Location: Breaux Bridge, Louisiana, US
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On the left side at the front of the engine, down in the Vee right beside the air conditioning compressor is a black connector for the front timing sensor. Disconnect and look at both ends for water inside. Any moisture or corrosion will prevent the ignition module from reading the signal and then you experience exactly what happens to you. Sometimes it is the pick-up mounted below the harmonic balancer that reads the fingers on the balancer that has gone bad.
What you describe as symptoms, especially right after using water under the hood (bonnet) points to the front sensor.
What you describe as symptoms, especially right after using water under the hood (bonnet) points to the front sensor.
#13
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Fla Steve (06-09-2018)
#14
On the left side at the front of the engine, down in the Vee right beside the air conditioning compressor is a black connector for the front timing sensor. Disconnect and look at both ends for water inside. Any moisture or corrosion will prevent the ignition module from reading the signal and then you experience exactly what happens to you. Sometimes it is the pick-up mounted below the harmonic balancer that reads the fingers on the balancer that has gone bad.
What you describe as symptoms, especially right after using water under the hood (bonnet) points to the front sensor.
What you describe as symptoms, especially right after using water under the hood (bonnet) points to the front sensor.
#15
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#16
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orangeblossom (06-12-2018)
#17
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One further note on the front sensor. It is secured with two clamps on the front left of the timing cover. If you have to change one, don't reinstall the clamps.
There is nothing that will **** you off like trying to get the camps out of the way while on the side of the road.
Carry a spare sensor, a coat hangar and about two feet of twine. I had to snake the coat hangar from the top down and tie the twine to the hangar and the other end to the sensor connector and snake the cable from the bottom up. Keep a 8mm wrench as part of your tool kit to get the two bolts that secure the sensor under the crank.
There is nothing that will **** you off like trying to get the camps out of the way while on the side of the road.
Carry a spare sensor, a coat hangar and about two feet of twine. I had to snake the coat hangar from the top down and tie the twine to the hangar and the other end to the sensor connector and snake the cable from the bottom up. Keep a 8mm wrench as part of your tool kit to get the two bolts that secure the sensor under the crank.
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orangeblossom (06-12-2018)
#19
Started to go out with my wife for a short ride, started right up....got 100 yards down the road and the engine just stopped. Was able to start it back up...another 300 yards and this time, it will not start.
anyone want to buy it?! Causing me more stress at this point - two tows in less than a week and can’t identify a person or shop that wants to help me.
#20
Hi Kariblay
If She was running Ok before you got water in her, then I really can't see anything else that it could be and maybe it hasn't had a chance to dry itself off properly
The only quick fix that I can suggest is to disconnect those plugs where they push together and them give them a blast of Warm Air from a hand held Hair Dryer
If She was running Ok before you got water in her, then I really can't see anything else that it could be and maybe it hasn't had a chance to dry itself off properly
The only quick fix that I can suggest is to disconnect those plugs where they push together and them give them a blast of Warm Air from a hand held Hair Dryer