Hi

My XJ-S is hibernating while the wet and cold season is ruling.
I get cheaper insurance when I don't drive it for 4 months starting November 15th, so to give injectors and other systems a chance to survive I start it up from time to time.
This time I decided to shoot a video of it.
It doesn't exactly start on first revolution. Throttle needs to be opened a bit to get it running, and this time it almost stalled, but a quick right foot saved it.


Service parts are in the trunk so far. I do therefore not have much idea about the state of components, but it's running fairly well and uses less fuel than feared.
I'm not looking for a lot of advice on how much work I should do, I already know that...
Just wanted to share the video. I'm happy to see zero blue clouds, but I think I might have to look for an exhaust leak.

 

I saw that video on youtube... Doesn't sound bad at all! I mean, for a 5 month lay up... Yonks ago, as my car was still "start able", it would sound not far from that...


Don't kill me... That start was interrupted by me forgetting to lock the front door... And of course my door key was on the Jag keys...

I'm so looking forward to getting my old lady running again... I'll probably do a "live stream first start up" on Youtube... Just to see if she runs again and then "HOW"... I know I'll need to do a lot of adjustments after the first start up (like AAV, throttle rods, etc.)...

 

The engine does not need or benefit from being started while in storage. Multiple cold starts without driving and full warmup can cause an accumulation of unburnt fuel and moisture in the oil which will tend to reduce the pH of the oil (ie become acidic).

Only start the engine if you intend to drive the car a good distance.

 

Thanks, but it was only 5 weeks, not months. Christmas 2016...

It will probably not be much different if I only left it for 1 day, it needs to get on the road soon !

 

Sorry, I had months in my mind when I wrote that Mine will have been, when I start it, something like 4 years... Hopefully it'll run perfectly

 

I leave it running until warm, some 20-30 minutes. I don't like the idea of injectors and electronics being inactive for that long time, but maybe I'm just paranoid...

 

I'd say you are paranoid

I'm not worried about the parts "gunking up" whilst standing. Even 20-30 mins isn't enough to properly warm the engine up. You need more motion other than simply let it idle for a proper warm up.

If it was a carb engine, I'd start it every ~6 months once. More than enough. Being a fuel injection engine though, if you remove the battery and then refit it when you want to drive, all will be fine. I had my XJ-S stored for 4 months and it fired right up after being away so long... I missed the sound but it worked straight away.

 

Perfectly normal. Moreso if your weather has been as cold as mine. Also, after a long rest (eg more than a week, let alone 5) the fuel rail needs priming, which involves switching on the ignition for 5 seconds each time, but not starting the car three or four times. Then , given new plugs, decent HT leads, new dizzy cap and rotor, good coil, it will start that bot quicker.
Stop worrying.
Greg

 

That may warm some parts of the engine to adequate temperature but not the remainder of the car which may suffer from the evils of a partial thermal cycle.

Practical, real life experience gathered over decades says you should find something else to worry about. Maybe a certain guy with orange hair.

 

I will stop worrying. (Edit: political hint removed)
I was not aware that several primings would help, that will be tested when I start it next time, and that will be to drive it Or maybe to se, that my new plugs, leads, dizzy cap and rotor are installed correctly...

 

Guys: your own political preference hints have no place on this Forum. At all.
Greg

 

You're absolutely right, Greg. I will edit my post. And yes, it's cold in Denmark as well, around 0°C

 

I was referring to this semi-obscure comedian. Nothing to do with politics.