She's Alive

[Mr.Ian]

Yes the old XJSs' V12 has been brought back to life after at least a 2 year rest and mouse attacks.
Tried to start it a few days ago and it would fire from cranking (obviously from the cold start injectors) but as soon as she tried to kick in would die.
Got myself an adjustable power supply and tested the injectors with 2 volts, 8 out of the 12 were gummed up/jammed and wouldn't click when power was applied.
Upped the voltage to 4volts and with one wire attatched to a injector I just touched the other injector terminal with the other wire to make the circuit, just tapping it. There were a few small sparks each tap then the injector clicked and opened.
Continued round all 12, most stuck injectors moved with between 4 and 6volts but 1 needed a split second of 14volts to shift one stubborn one.
After doing all of them and all now clicking with 2volts applied I reconnected them all to the injector loom turned the key and off she went straight away and far smoother than I was expecting.
One happy XJS owner.

[dhdove]

Many Congrats, you must be very pleased.

Any idea when you'll be back on the road?

Regards
Tony

[Mr.Ian]

Hi, more than pleased, such a great step to find the old V12 still runs, but not only runs she runs far smoother than I thought. Initial startup she was at fast idle, then slowed to a slightly high tickover. That'll be due to the air valve being stuck as I looked at it and it hadn't moved.
Still got quite a bit of bodywork to sort and also a front suspension/brake overhaul to be done.
Hopefully this summer (if we get one) she'll be off for her first MOT in about 7 or 8 years.
I doubt the XJS will be resprayed then, that will be as and when funds allow.

[ptjs1]

Mr.Ian,

Well done! Great to hear that you got it started. It's quite an emotional moment hearing the first burst of a long dormant car that one owns!

Love the idea of unsticking the injectors with increasing voltage! I'm sure most of us would have just sent them off to be ultra-sonically cleaned. You must have saved some money just by that!

Look forward to hearing the next instalment.

Paul

[Mr.Ian]

Hi Paul, yes all i've been doing on the car is welding, cutting, grinding for what feels like an eternity. Chopping the boot floor and rear valance out over 2 years ago started a depression as I couldn't see an end to it and lost all heart in the car. Came to crunch time and it was a case of scrap for parts or continue (as the car is in my mother-in-laws garage, she's had at least 3 brand new cars in the time i've been doing the XJS and they've had to sit outside ), couldn't bare to think of chopping it for parts so after a 2 year break I got stuck in again late last year.
Got the boot floor and valance in but found mice had had a '''field''' day with the wiring. Wiring sorted and started the quest to get her running again and as posted she's alive again now (even though she's on stands).
As you say it's a great buz and a boost to get on and get it sorted.