Hi All,

I have a 1983 XJS HE that has sat on my side cemented yard for about 15 years. I have had it for about 25+ years and it was running fine, but developed a power steering leak and so I put it on the side. I was traveling for work at that time and so planned on working on it later. I would go out every month and start it to make sure it didn't just sit there but then one time when I went out it wouldn't start and we smelled gas. Then I opened up the hood and saw a dang mice nest. So I am thinking that they might have chewed some lines. Unfortunately, it has sat on the side since.

Question.... How do I start troubleshooting a car that has sat for 15 years? My wife and I really love the car and plan on driving it when I retire (in about 6-7 yrs), so this will be a long slow process to get it up to snuff. The plan is to get into the garage and start going through it, but I am a little daunted on where to start. What are the things to look for?

Thanks,

Keedge (Danny)

 

Welcome to the Forums.

When you have a minute, please do a simple Intro in the New Members Ares, it keeps the Boss happy, ha.

You have time, that is the best.

Simple cars, so please do not overthink anything you tackle. I alwasys poit out to people is is really a Double Six, and that simplifies many things.

There are some stickies at the top re what you are entering into.

I have MANY more, so ask if you want them. PM me your email address, and I will send them to you.

The list will be loooong, but NOT hard.

Beer fridge well stocked is #1 on the list.

Dont be scared of it, it is simply a car with an engine and some other bits and pieces.

ALSO you will need the following:

A sense of humour, the more warped the better.
Imagination.
LABELS, more LABELS, as you MUST tag anything you unplug, your memory is NOT that good, and schematics for your market are sketchy at best.
Work methodically, this thing will screw you is you dont
The ability to utter words kids should not hear.
Spare tools, coz if you drop something it will NOT fall out the bottom. They will be collected later when the engine comes out, fact.
Drink beer, stand back, cool down, another sip, and into it again.

 

Plenty of YouTube channels about resurrecting cars that have sat for 15, 20, 30+ years, with lots of information about where to start, what to check, what to do, and the best order.
One of my favourites is Derek at Vice Grip Garage, he runs through the basics in a logical and entertaining way, see here: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCsf...2_v2t3_igVQebg

 

I bought my XJS around 2010 and it had been sitting since 1997. The major thing was popping the sender and removing all the old fuel. If you can, it would be even better to let the fuel pump run and cycle new fuel into the return before starting. Check all fluid and connections as you would. It is probably due for new injector hoses.

Mine fired off and took quite a while of holding the throttle open to "blow it out" before it would idle down. If yours doesn't fire off, troubleshoot it as you would any car. Find out why it doesn't spark, get fuel, etc.

 

Thank you Grant, really appreciate it. I have been looking at the stickies and downloaded some of them already. I will PM my email to you for sure.

Danny