Good morning all !
I am Xavier, I am French so like any good French my English is horrible !
I am currently the proud owner of an XJ8 Model X350, and a MG ZT. I would like to acquire an XKR to restore. Cosmetically a lot of work to be planned: bodywork, painting, headliner, seat… but that I know what to expect. The concern is that the car in question has a random starting problem. It can start halfway through, both cold and hot, but 50% of the time, you have to start it 3 - 4 times for it to start (the engine runs but it does not start) ... The current owner has changed the battery (95ah), PMH sensor, flowmeter… Without success…
The important information is that it seems that the engine has been changed (due to broken tensioners) but that it is an AJ27 instead of the AJ26 (2 ACC sensors on the engine and only one connector on the left side harness).Engine change not done in a garage.
Does all of this have a connection, and does anyone have any idea of ​​the problem, hoping it is resolvable without spending too much!
Thank you very much for your precisous help !!

 

Good morning all ! My name is Xavier, I am French and like any good self-respecting French, my English is horrible!
I am currently the proud owner of an XJ8 Model X350, and a MG ZT (Yes I'm in love with english's car !!… and english's music so !)
I would like to acquire an XKR to restore. Cosmetically a lot of work to be planned: bodywork, painting, headliner, seat… but that I know what to expect. The concern is that the car in question has a random starting problem. It can start halfway through, both cold and hot, but 50% of the time, you have to start it 3 - 4 times for it to start (the engine runs but it does not start) ... The current owner has changed the battery (95ah), PMH sensor, flowmeter… Without success…


The important information is that the engine has been changed (due to broken tensioners), but an AJ27 has been placed instead of the original AJ26 (2 ACC sensors on engines but only 1 connector on the harness)...This engine change was not done in a garage !

Do you believe that the starting problem is due to this engine change, and do you think it can be fixed quite easily (without spending thousands of dollars!).

In any case, I thank you in advance for your precious help!
Xavier

 

Welcome to the forums Xavier,

I've removed the two emojis for one of your posts. It looks like you copied and pasted them from somewhere else so they just appeared as a huge block of code. I've also merged your two threads.

Graham

 

Hello Graham, thanks for your help, indeed I made a copy paste !

 

Bonjour Xavier. It sounds like that car would be a very large project to restore. It's hard to determine what sort of problem it has with starting 50% of the time. It could be a problem in the electronics (computer), or security system if sometimes it doesn't crank over at all. It's hard to say, but I wouldn't want to take a chance on buying a car unless I had a pretty good idea of what needed fixing on it.

 

I'm confused about ACC sensors, which I thought referred to Adaptive Cruise Control, found on late 4.2 cars. Please clarify and tell us what year the car was built.
RJ

 

That's exactly it, I fell in love with this xkr, the idea of ​​cosmetically restoring it pleases me, but this damn starting problem scares me too much to get started ! The xkr is from 1998, therefore fitted with the original AJ26 engine, and the current owner says there are 2 ACC sensors on the engine and only one connector on the left side harness, so the french forum xk8 says is problably a AJ27 engine.

 

The xkr is from 1998, therefore fitted with the original AJ26 engine, and the current owner says that the engine has been changed, and there are 2 ACC sensors on the engine and only one connector on the left side harness :The french forum XK8 think that engine is the AJ27.

 

You are referring to cam position sensors. The AJ26 had one sensor, while the AJ27 had two, so yes, you have a AJ27. Here is a link covering what should have been changed.

AJ26 AJ27 compability - Jaguar Forums - Jaguar Enthusiasts Forum

 

Thanks for the link ! So if I understand correctly there is a great chance that the starting problem comes from the new engine which has been incorrectly installed. And to remedy that, we have to redo everything cleanly (take out the engine ?) and therefore a lot of euros to put in ... I think the best is that I try to forget this XKR, despite my obvious crush ...

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Xavier, you're English is not so bad, good as a matter of fact. I would and could not ever learn French so you are doing well new friend.
I also think the cam sensors may lead to the main problem. Also, have the spark plugs been checked? perhaps the fuel pump is weak or intermittent.
It is possible that the car is worth saving (a noble deed indeed) but learn more before putting your money down. A love affair with a Jag is understandable but as with human love, one must proceed carefully. TM

 

Thanks for the compliment, but google translate has become my best friend !!
Indeed I should know more about the vehicle but I am unfortunately at the end of what the owner told me. As the engine change was not carried out in a garage, I therefore cannot have additional information on this famous engine change.
I leave myself until tomorrow to make my decision but the more I advance, the more I tell myself that this XKR will not be mine.

 

Xavier,

You can't Cut & Paste photos directly to the forums. They appear as a block of code as your post #10:





Use the Upload button to locate the photo on your PC/laptop/tablet and follow the instructions on screen to upload it:





Good to see you are getting help here on the XKR swap question.

Graham

 

Well, the problem is an amateur has previously fitted a different later engine in and you’ve no idea what they’ve done. The car runs but seems to have difficulty starting. Unless you know, or know someone in a garage with experience, in this exact swap, you’re in for a “throw parts at it” game which can end up being very expensive. Finding parts for this car can be difficult especially for electrical modules, but you’ll need to find out what is faulty. In there lies the problem.

I would pass pass on this car, and find a Gen3 MY 2004+ where all the previous problems were known and fixed. It’ll be a more reliable car and your love affair won’t be crushed.

 

Thank you all for your comments, I have made up my mind and will abandon this project, I don't know where I'm going and can't afford to spend a fortune on this XKR anyway. So thank you all for your advice, it's only part of the story on my side so I'll see you later!