1997 JAGUAR XJ6 checking oil

3261 Jaguar XJ6
0•10Weekly checks
There are some very simple checks which
need only take a few minutes to carry out, but
which could save you a lot of inconvenience
and expense.
These "Weekly checks" require no great skill
or special tools, and the small amount of time
they take to perform could prove to be very
well spent, for example;MKeeping an eye on tyre condition and
pressures, will not only help to stop them
wearing out prematurely, but could also save
your life.
M
Many breakdowns are caused by electrical
problems. Battery-related faults are particularly
common, and a quick check on a regular basis
will often prevent the majority of
these.MIf your car develops a brake fluid leak, the
first time you might know about it is when
your brakes don't work properly. Checking
the level regularly will give advance warning of
this kind of problem.
MIf the oil or coolant levels run low, the cost
of repairing any engine damage will be far
greater than fixing the leak, for example.
Introduction
§3.6 litre engine
(others similar)
Viewed from right-hand side
AEngine oil level dipstick
BEngine oil filler cap
CCoolant expansion tank
DBrake fluid reservoir
EScreen washer fluid reservoir
FBattery
GPower steering fluid reservoir
Underbonnet check points

3261 Jaguar XJ6
Weekly checks0•11
Engine oil level
Before you start
4Make sure that your car is on level ground.
4Check the oil level before the car is driven,
or at least 5 minutes after the engine has been
switched off.
The correct oilModern engines place great demands on their
oil. It is very important that the correct oil for
your car is used (See “Lubricants, fluids and
tyre pressures”).
Car care
l If you have to add oil frequently, you should
check whether you have any oil leaks. Place
some clean paper under the car overnight,
and check for stains in the morning. If there
are no leaks, the engine may be burning oil
(see “Fault finding”).
lAlways maintain the level between the
upper and lower dipstick marks (see photo 3).
If the level is too low severe engine damage
may occur. Oil seal failure may result if the
engine is overfilled by adding too much oil.
If the oil level is checked
immediately after driving the
vehicle, some of the oil will
remain in the upper engine
components, resulting in an inaccurate
reading on the dipstick!
The dipstick is located at the rear of the
engine on the left-hand side (see “Under-
bonnet check points” on page 0•10 for
exact location). Withdraw the dipstick.Using a clean rag or paper towel remove
all oil from the dipstick. Insert the clean
dipstick into the tube as far as it will go,
then withdraw it again.
Note the oil level on the end of the
dipstick which should be between the
upper and lower marks. The “M” mark is
for use when checking the oil level after the
vehicle has been standing overnight; in this
case the oil level should be between the “M”
and upper level markings.Oil is added through the filler cap.
Unscrew the cap and top-up the level; a
funnel may help to reduce spillage. Add
the oil slowly, checking the level on the dipstick
often. Don’t overfill (see “Car care” left).
12
34
Warning: DO NOT attempt to
remove the expansion tank
pressure cap when the engine
is hot, as there is a very great
risk of scalding. Do not leave
open containers of coolant
about, as it is poisonous.
Car care
lAdding coolant should not be necessary on
a regular basis. If frequent topping-up is
required, it is likely there is a leak. Check the
radiator, all hoses and joint faces for signs of
staining or wetness, and rectify as necessary.
lIt is important that antifreeze is used in the
cooling system all year round, not just during
the winter months. Don’t top-up with water
alone, as the antifreeze will become too
diluted.
Coolant level
The coolant level should be checked only
with the engine cold. The level is checked
in the expansion tank on the left-hand
side of the engine compartment. Remove the
expansion tank pressure cap and check that
the coolant level is upto the base of filler neck.If topping up is necessary, add a mixture
of water and antifreeze to the expansion
tank until the coolant level is upto the
base of the filler neck. Once the level is
correct, securely refit the pressure cap.12

leak be found, renew the offending gasket or
oil seal by referring to the appropriate
Chapters in this manual.
2Also check the security and condition of all
the engine-related pipes and hoses. Ensure
that all cable ties or securing clips are in place
and in good condition. Clips which are broken
or missing can lead to chafing of the hoses,
pipes or wiring, which could cause more
serious problems in the future.
3Carefully check the radiator hoses and
heater hoses along their entire length. Renew
any hose which is cracked, swollen or
deteriorated. Cracks will show up better if
the hose is squeezed. Pay close attention
to the hose clips that secure the hoses to the
cooling system components. Hose clips can
pinch and puncture hoses, resulting in cooling
system leaks.
4Inspect all the cooling system components
(hoses, joint faces etc.) for leaks. A leak in the
cooling system will usually show up as white-
or rust-coloured deposits on the area
adjoining the leak. Where any problems of this
nature are found on system components,
renew the component or gasket with
reference to Chapter 3.
5From within the engine compartment,
check the security of all fuel hose attachments
and pipe unions, and inspect the fuel hoses
and vacuum hoses for kinks, chafing and
deterioration.
6Also check the condition of the power
steering fluid hoses and pipes.
8 Automatic transmission
fluid level check
1
1The level of the automatic transmission fluid
should be carefully maintained. Low fluid level
can lead to slipping or loss of drive, while
overfilling can cause foaming, loss of fluid and
transmission damage.
2The transmission fluid level should only be
checked when the transmission is at its
normal operating temperature.
Caution: If the vehicle has just been driven
for a long time at high speed or in city
traffic in hot weather, or if it has been
pulling a trailer, an accurate fluid level
reading cannot be obtained. Allow the fluid
to cool down for about 30 minutes.
3If the vehicle has not been driven, park the
vehicle on level ground, set the handbrake,
then start the engine and bring it to operating
temperature. While the engine is idling,
depress the brake pedal and move the
selector lever through all the gear ranges,
beginning and ending in Park.
4With the engine still idling, remove the
dipstick from its tube (see illustration). Check
the level of the fluid on the dipstick (see
illustration)and note its condition.
5Wipe the fluid from the dipstick with a clean
rag and reinsert it back into the filler tube until
the cap seats.6Pull the dipstick out again and note the fluid
level. If the transmission is cold, the level
should be in the COLD or COOL range on the
dipstick. If it is hot, the fluid level should be in
the HOT range. If the level is at the low side of
either range, add the specified transmission
fluid through the dipstick tube with a funnel.
7Add just enough of the recommended fluid
to fill the transmission to the proper level. It
takes about one pint to raise the level from the
low mark to the high mark when the fluid is
hot, so add the fluid a little at a time and keep
checking the level until it is correct.
8The condition of the fluid should also be
checked along with the level. If the fluid at the
end of the dipstick is black or a dark reddish
brown colour, or if it emits a burned smell, the
fluid should be changed (see Section 26). If
you are in doubt about the condition of the
fluid, purchase some new fluid and compare
the two for colour and smell.9 Differential oil level check
1
1The differential has a check/fill plug which
must be removed to check the lubricant level.
If the vehicle is raised to gain access to the
plug, be sure to support it safely on axle
stands - DO NOT crawl under the vehicle
when it’s supported only by the jack!2Remove the lubricant check/fill plug from
the differential (see illustration).Use a
3/8-inch drive ratchet and a short extension to
unscrew the plug.
3Use your little finger as a dipstick to make
sure the lubricant level is even with the
bottom of the plug hole. If not, use a syringe
or squeeze bottle to add the recommended
lubricant until it just starts to run out of the
opening.
4Refit the plug and tighten it securely.
10 Exhaust system check
1
1With the engine cold (at least three hours
after the vehicle has been driven), check the
complete exhaust system from its starting
point at the engine to the end of the tailpipe.
This should be done on a hoist where
unrestricted access is available.
2Check the pipes and connections for
evidence of leaks, severe corrosion or
damage. Make sure that all brackets and
hangers are in good condition and tight (see
illustration).
3At the same time, inspect the underside of
the body for holes, corrosion, open seams,
etc. which may allow exhaust gases to enter
the passenger compartment. Seal all body
openings with silicone or body putty.
4Rattles and other noises can often be
traced to the exhaust system, especially the
mounts and hangers. Try to move the pipes,
Every 7500 miles or 6 months 1•11
1
9.2 The differential check/fill plug is
located on the rear of the differential
housing - place your finger in the filler plug
hole to make sure the lubricant level is
even with the bottom of the hole
10.2 Check the exhaust system hangers
(arrowed) for damage and cracks
3261 Jaguar XJ6
8.4a The automatic transmission dipstick
(arrowed) is located in a tube which
extends forward from the transmission
8.4b Check the automatic transmission
fluid with the engine idling at operating
temperature and the gear selector in Park,
then add fluid to bring the level to the
upper mark

23Clean and lubricate the lower tensioner.
Fill the lower tensioner oil reservoir with engine
oil and refit it on the engine block, aligning the
notch in the tensioner with the lug on the back
of the guide (see illustrations). This should
remove all slack from the lower timing chain. If
not, push the lower tensioner guide back and
forth a few times to prime the tensioner.
24Refit the upper chain tensioner guide and
mounting bracket to the engine block.
Caution: Before fully tightening the
mounting bracket to the engine block,
make sure the mount and chain guide are
clear of the lower chain, auxiliary sprocket
and intermediate sprocket. If necessary,
position the mount for clearance before
tightening the mounting bolts.
25Refit the oil pump drive chain and
sprocket to the crankshaft (see Section 13).
26Refit the upper chain fixed guide to the
engine block and place the upper timing chain
over the intermediate sprocket and auxiliary
shaft sprocket, draping the excess chain over
the top of the fixed guide. Lubricate the chain
and sprockets with clean engine oil.27Gather the loose portion of the upper
timing chain and place it between the upper
guides. Use a large rubber band to hold the
two guides snugly around the chain (see
Section 11).
28If necessary, renew the intermediate shaft
seal (see illustrations).
29Apply a thin coat of RTV sealant to the
engine side of the front cover and RTV sealant
to the oil-pan mating surface (bottom of the
front cover), then refit the front cover. Note:
Make sure the top surface of the cover aligns
with the top surface of the engine block, by
checking with a straightedge(see illustration).
30Refer to Section 11 for refitting of the
cylinder head and Section 10 for refitting of
the camshafts and connection of the upper
timing chain to the two camshaft sprockets.
31The remainder of the refitting is the
reverse of the removal procedure. If your car
is equipped with the hydraulic/self-levelling
suspension, refit the drive coupling and
coupling disc to the intermediate shaft (see
illustrations 8.9a and 8.9b). Coat the
mounting surface of the pump with RTVsealant and make sure the tang on the pump
aligns with the slot in the intermediate shaft
before bolting the pump to the front cover.
Refer to Section 7 for refitting of the
crankshaft spacer, damper and puller.
Caution: DO NOT start the engine until
you’re absolutely certain that the timing
chains are installed correctly. Serious and
costly engine damage could occur if the
chains are installed wrong.
32Run the engine and check for proper
operation.
9 Auxiliary shaft- renewal
3
Caution: If the stereo in your vehicle is
equipped with an anti-theft system, make
sure you have the correct activation code
before disconnecting the battery.
1Refer to Chapter 10 and remove the power
steering pump, without disconnecting the
hoses. Remove the plastic power steering
pump drive coupling disc.
2A•8 Engine in-car repair procedures
8.28a Drill a small hole in the intermediate
shaft seal, thread a sheet metal screw into
it and use a small slide-hammer pull the
seal out of the cover8.28b Drive the new seal in with a seal-
driver or socket, to the same depth as the
original seal8.29 Bolt the front cover on hand tight, use
a straightedge to make sure the cover’s
top surface is level with the top of the
engine block, then tighten the cover bolts
3261 Jaguar XJ6 8.23a Add oil to the reservoir in the lower tensioner . . .
8.23b . . . and refit the tensioner against the guide -
after it’s installed, push the tensioner guide back and forth
a few times to prime the tensioner

8Repeat the procedure for the remaining
cylinders. Note:Turn the crankshaft as
needed to position the piston/connecting rod
assembly to be removed close to parallel with
the cylinder bore - i.e. don’t try to drive it out
while at a large angle to the bore.
9After removal, reassemble the connecting
rod caps and bearing inserts in their
respective connecting rods and refit the cap
nuts/bolts finger tight. Leaving the old bearing
inserts in place until reassembly will help
prevent the big-end bearing surfaces from
being accidentally nicked or gouged.
10Don’t separate the pistons from the
connecting rods (see Section 18 for additional
information).
14 Crankshaft- removal
3
Note:The rear main oil seal and retainer must
be removed from the engine block before
proceeding with crankshaft removal (see Part
A of this Chapter).
1Before the crankshaft is removed, check
the endplay. Mount a dial indicator to the front
of the engine with the stem in line with, and
just touching, the end of the crankshaft (see
illustration).2Push the crankshaft all the way to the rear
and zero the dial indicator. Next, pry the
crankshaft to the front as far as possible and
check the reading on the dial indicator. The
distance that it moves is the endplay. If it’s
greater than that specified in this Chapter’s
Specifications, check the crankshaft thrust
surfaces for wear. If no wear is evident, new
thrust washers should correct the endplay.
3If a dial indicator isn’t available, feeler
gauges can be used. Gently pry or push the
crankshaft all the way to the front of the
engine. Slip feeler gauges between the
crankshaft and the front face of the number 4
(thrust) main bearing to determine the
clearance (see illustration).
4Check the main bearing caps to see if
they’re marked to indicate their locations.
They should be numbered consecutively from
the front of the engine to the rear. If they
aren’t, mark them with number stamping dies
or a centre punch. Main bearing caps
generally have a cast-in arrow, which points
to the front of the engine. Loosen the main
bearing cap bolts 1/4-turn at a time each,
stating at the ends and working toward the
centre, until they can be removed by hand.
5The main bearing caps are numbered on
the right side with corresponding numbers
stamped into the sump rail on the same side
(see illustration). Gently tap the caps with asoft-face hammer, then separate them from
the engine block. If necessary, use the bolts
as levers to remove the main bearing caps.
Try not to drop the bearing inserts if they
come out with the caps. Note:The number
four main bearing is the thrust bearing and is
not numbered.
6Carefully lift the crankshaft out of the
engine. It may be a good idea to have an
assistant available, since the crankshaft is
quite heavy. With the bearing inserts in place
in the engine block and main bearing caps,
return the main bearing caps to their
respective locations on the engine block and
tighten the bolts finger tight.
15 Engine block- cleaning
2
Caution: The core plugs (also known as
freeze or soft plugs) may be difficult or
impossible to retrieve if they’re driven
completely into the engine block coolant
passages.
1Using the blunt end of a punch, tap in on
the outer edge of the core plug to turn the
plug sideways in the bore. Then using pliers,
pull the core plug from the engine block (see
illustrations).
2B•10 Engine removal and overhaul procedures
14.5 The right side of each main bearing
cap is stamped with a number (left arrow)
that corresponds to the stamped number
on the pan rail (right arrow)15.1a A hammer and a large punch can be
used to knock the core plugs sideways in
their bores15.1b Pull the core plugs from the engine
block with pliers
3261 Jaguar XJ6 14.1 Checking crankshaft endplay with a dial indicator
14.3 Checking crankshaft endplay with a feeler gauge

in the back sides of the ring grooves and the
oil hole in the lower end of each rod are clear.
6If the pistons and cylinder walls aren’t
damaged or worn excessively, and if the
engine block is not rebored, new pistons
won’t be necessary. Normal piston wear
appears as even vertical wear on the piston
thrust surfaces and slight looseness of the top
ring in its groove. New piston rings, however,
should always be used when an engine is
rebuilt.
7Carefully inspect each piston for cracks
around the skirt, at the pin bosses and at the
ring lands.
Caution: Some early 1988 3.6 litre engines
(before engine no. 9D 121113) have
incorrectly-stamped pistons. On these, the
word FRONT is actually stamped on the rear
of the pistons. Correct pistons will have the
cast arrows on the inside of the skirt to your
left when facing the word FRONT.
8Look for scoring and scuffing on the thrust
faces of the skirt, holes in the piston crown
and burned areas at the edge of the crown. If
the skirt is scored or scuffed, the engine may
have been suffering from overheating and/or
abnormal combustion, which caused
excessively high operating temperatures. The
cooling and lubrication systems should be
checked thoroughly. A hole in the piston
crown is an indication that abnormal
combustion (pre-ignition) was occurring.
Burned areas at the edge of the piston crown
are usually evidence of spark knock
(detonation). If any of the above problems
exist, the causes must be corrected or the
damage will occur again. The causes may
include intake air leaks, incorrect air/fuel
mixture, incorrect ignition timing and EGR
system malfunctions.
9Corrosion of the piston, in the form of small
pits, indicates that coolant is leaking into the
combustion chamber and/or the crankcase.
Again, the cause must be corrected or the
problem may persist in the rebuilt engine.
10Measure the piston ring groove clearance
by laying a new piston ring in each ring groove
and slipping a feeler gauge in beside it (see
illustration). Check the clearance at three or
four locations around each groove. Be sure touse the correct ring for each groove - they are
different. If the clearance is greater than that
listed in this Chapter’s Specifications, new
pistons will have to be used.
11Check the piston-to-bore clearance by
measuring the bore (see Section 16) and the
piston diameter. Make sure the pistons and
bores are correctly matched. Measure the
piston across the skirt, at a 90° angle to
the piston pin (see illustration). Subtract the
piston diameter from the bore diameter to
obtain the clearance. If it’s greater than
specified, the engine block will have to be
rebored and new pistons and rings installed.
12Check the piston-to-rod clearance by
twisting the piston and rod in opposite
directions. Any noticeable play indicates
excessive wear, which must be corrected.
13If the pistons must be removed from the
connecting rods for any reason, the rods
should be taken to an automotive machine
workshop, to be checked for bend and twist,
since automotive machine shops have special
equipment for this purpose.
14Check the connecting rods for cracks and
other damage. Temporarily remove the rod
caps, lift out the old bearing inserts, wipe the
connecting rod and cap bearing surfaces
clean and inspect them for nicks, gouges and
scratches. After checking the connecting
rods, renew the old bearings, slip the caps
into place and tighten the nuts finger tight.
Note:If the engine is being rebuilt because of
a connecting rod knock, be sure to refit new
rods.
19 Crankshaft- inspection
3
1Clean the crankshaft with solvent and dry it
with compressed air (if available). Be sure to
clean the oil holes with a stiff brush and flush
them with solvent.
2Check the main and connecting rod bearing
journals for uneven wear, scoring, pits and
cracks.
3Remove all burrs from the crankshaft oil
holes with a stone, file or scraper.4Check the remainder of the crankshaft for
cracks and other damage. It should be
magnafluxed to reveal hidden cracks - an
automotive machine workshop will handle the
procedure.
5Using a micrometer, measure the diameter
of the main and connecting rod journals and
compare the results to this Chapter’s
Specifications (see illustration). By
measuring the diameter at a number of points
around each journal’s circumference, you’ll be
able to determine whether or not the journal is
out-of-round. Take the measurement at each
end of the journal, near the crank throws, to
determine if the journal is tapered. Crankshaft
runout should be checked also, but large V-
blocks and a dial indicator are needed to do it
correctly. If you don’t have the equipment,
have a machine workshop check the runout.
6If the crankshaft journals are damaged,
tapered, out-of-round or worn beyond the
limits given in the Specifications, have the
crankshaft reground by an automotive
machine workshop. Be sure to use the correct
size bearing inserts if the crankshaft is
reconditioned.
7Check the oil seal journals at each end of
the crankshaft for wear and damage. If the
seal has worn a groove in the journal, or if it’s
nicked or scratched, the new seal may leak
when the engine is reassembled. In some
cases, an automotive machine workshop may
be able to repair the journal by pressing on a
thin sleeve. If repair isn’t feasible, a new or
different crankshaft should be installed.
8Refer to Section 20 and examine the main
and big-end bearing inserts.
20 Main and big-end bearings-
inspection and selection
3
Inspection
1Even though the main and big-end bearings
should be replaced with new ones during the
engine overhaul, the old bearings should be
retained for close examination, as they may
Engine removal and overhaul procedures 2B•13
2B
19.5 Measure the diameter of each
crankshaft journal at several points to
detect taper and out-of-round conditions
3261 Jaguar XJ6 18.10 Check the ring groove clearance
with a feeler gauge at several points
around the groove
18.11 Measure the piston diameter at a
90° angle to the piston pin, at the bottom
of the piston pin area - a precision caliper
may be used if a micrometer isn’t available

21 Engine overhaul-
reassembly sequence
1Before beginning engine reassembly, make
sure you have all the necessary new parts,
gaskets and seals as well as the following
items on hand:
Common hand tools
A 1/2-inch drive torque wrench
Piston ring refitting tool
Piston ring compressor
Short lengths of rubber or plastic hose to
fit over connecting rod bolts
Plastigauge
Feeler gauges
A fine-tooth file
New engine oil
Engine assembly lube or moly-base
grease
Gasket sealer
Thread locking compound
Special Jaguar tools:
Engine lifting brackets (18G 1465)
Timing damper simulator (18E 1436)
Camshaft TDC tool (18G 1433)
2In order to save time and avoid problems,
engine reassembly must be done in the
following general order:
Piston rings (Part B)
Crankshaft and main bearings (Part B)
Piston/connecting rod assemblies (Part B)
Rear main (crankshaft) oil seal (Part B)
Auxiliary shaft (Part A)
Timing chains and sprockets (Part A)
Oil pump (Part A)
Timing chain cover (Part A)
Cylinder head and lifters (Part A)
Camshafts (Part A)
Oil pick-up (Part A)
Sump (Part A)
Intake and exhaust manifolds (Part A)
Valve cover (Part A)
Flywheel/driveplate (Part A)
22 Piston rings- refitting
3
1Before refitting the new piston rings, the ring
end gaps must be checked. It’s assumed that
the piston ring groove clearance has been
checked and verified correct (see Section 18).
2Lay out the piston/connecting rod
assemblies and the new ring sets so the ring
sets will be matched with the same piston and
cylinder during the end gap measurement and
engine assembly.
3Insert the top (number one) ring into the first
cylinder and square it up with the cylinder
walls by pushing it in with the top of the piston
(see illustration). The ring should be near the
bottom of the cylinder, at the lower limit of
ring travel.
4To measure the end gap, slip feeler gauges
between the ends of the ring until a gauge
equal to the gap width is found (see
illustration). The feeler gauge should slide
between the ring ends with a slight amount of
drag. Compare the measurement to that
found in this Chapter’s Specifications. If the
gap is larger or smaller than specified,
double-check to make sure you have the
correct rings before proceeding.
5If the gap is too small, it must be enlarged
or the ring ends may come in contact with
each other during engine operation, which
can cause serious damage to the engine. The
end gap can be increased by filing the ring
ends very carefully with a fine file. Mount thefile in a vice equipped with soft jaws, slip the
ring over the file with the ends contacting the
file face and slowly move the ring to remove
material from the ends(see illustration).
Caution: When performing this operation,
file only from the outside in, and after the
correct gap is achieved, deburr the filed
ends of the rings with a fine whetstone.
6Excess end gap isn’t critical unless it’s
greater than Specifications. Again, double-
check to make sure you have the correct rings
for your engine.
7Repeat the procedure for each ring that will
be installed in the first cylinder and for each
ring in the remaining cylinders. Remember to
keep rings, pistons and cylinders matched.
8Once the ring end gaps have been
checked/corrected, the rings can be installed
on the pistons.
9The oil control ring (lowest one on the
piston) is usually installed first. It’s composed
of three separate components. Slip the
spacer/expander into the groove (see
illustration). If an anti-rotation tang is used,
make sure it’s inserted into the drilled hole in
the ring groove. Next, refit the lower side rail.
Don’t use a piston ring refitting tool on the oil
ring side rails, as they may be damaged.
Instead, place one end of the side rail into the
groove between the spacer/expander and the
ring land, hold it firmly in place and slide a
finger around the piston while pushing the rail
into the groove (see illustrations). Next, refit
the upper side rail in the same manner.
10After the three oil ring components have
been installed, check to make sure that both
Engine removal and overhaul procedures 2B•15
2B
22.3 When checking piston ring end gap,
the ring must be square in the cylinder
bore (this is done by pushing the ring down
with the top of a piston as shown)22.4 With the ring square in the cylinder,
measure the end gap with a feeler gauge22.5 If the end gap is too small, clamp a
file in a vice and file the ring ends (from the
outside in only) to enlarge the gap slightly
22.9a Refit the spacer/expander in the oil
control ring groove22.9b DO NOT use a piston ring refitting
tool when refitting the oil ring side rails
3261 Jaguar XJ6

working up to it in three steps. Note:Use the
old bolts for this step (save the new bolts for
final refitting).Use a thin-wall socket to avoid
erroneous torque readings that can result if
the socket is wedged between the rod cap
and nut. If the socket tends to wedge itself
between the nut and the cap, lift up on it
slightly until it no longer contacts the cap. Do
not rotate the crankshaft at any time during
this operation.
16Remove the nuts and detach the rod cap,
being careful not to disturb the Plastigauge.
17Compare the width of the crushed
Plastigauge to the scale printed on the
envelope to obtain the oil clearance (see
illustration). Compare it to this Chapter’s
Specifications to make sure the clearance is
correct.
18If the clearance is not as specified, the
bearing inserts may be the wrong size (which
means different ones will be required). Before
deciding that different inserts are needed,
make sure that no dirt or oil was between the
bearing inserts and the connecting rod or cap
when the clearance was measured. Also,
recheck the journal diameter. If the Plastigauge
was wider at one end than the other, the journal
may be tapered (refer to Section 19).
Final connecting rod refitting
19Carefully scrape all traces of the
Plastigauge material off the rod journal and/or
bearing face. Be very careful not to scratchthe bearing, use your fingernail or the edge of
a credit card to remove the Plastigauge.
20Make sure the bearing faces are perfectly
clean, then apply a uniform layer of clean
moly-base grease or engine assembly lube to
both of them. You’ll have to push the piston
higher into the cylinder to expose the face of
the bearing insert in the connecting rod, be
sure to slip the protective hoses over the
connecting rod bolts first.
21At this time, remove the original
connecting rod bolts/nuts and replace them
with new bolts/nuts. They are of a design
which requires they be used only once. The
old ones are OK for Plastigauge checking, but
for final assembly use only new connecting
rod bolts/nuts. Refit the rod cap and tighten
the nuts to the torque listed in this Chapter’s
Specifications. Again, work up to the torque in
three steps.
22Repeat the entire procedure for the
remaining pistons/connecting rod assemblies.
23The important points to remember are:
a) Keep the back sides of the bearing inserts
and the insides of the connecting rods and
caps perfectly clean during assembly..
b) Make sure you have the correct piston/
connecting rod assembly for each
cylinder.
c) The dimple on the piston must face the
front of the engine.
d) Lubricate the cylinder walls with clean oil.
e) Lubricate the bearing faces when refitting
the rod caps after the oil clearance has
been checked.
24After all the piston/connecting rod
assemblies have been properly installed,
rotate the crankshaft a number of times by
hand to check for any obvious binding.
25As a final step, the connecting rod
endplay must be checked. Refer to Section 13
for this procedure.
26Compare the measured endplay to this
Chapter’s Specifications to make sure it’s
correct. If it was correct before dismantling
and the original crankshaft and connecting
rods were reinstalled, it should still be right.
However, if new connecting rods or a new
crankshaft were installed, the endplay may beinadequate. If so, the connecting rods will
have to be removed and taken to an
automotive machine workshop for resizing.
26 Initial start-up
and running-in after overhaul
1
Warning: Have a suitable fire
extinguisher handy when starting
the engine for the first time.
1Once the engine has been installed in the
vehicle, double-check the engine oil and
coolant levels.
2With the spark plugs out of the engine and
the ignition system and fuel pump disabled,
crank the engine until oil pressure registers on
the gauge or the light goes out.
3Refit the spark plugs, hook up the plug
leads and restore the ignition system and fuel
pump functions.
4Start the engine. It may take a few
moments for the fuel system to build up
pressure, but the engine should start without
a great deal of effort.
5After the engine starts, it should be allowed
to warm up to normal operating temperature.
While the engine is warming up, make a
thorough check for fuel, oil and coolant leaks.
6Shut the engine off and recheck the engine
oil and coolant levels.
7Drive the vehicle to an area with no traffic,
accelerate from 30 to 50 mph, then allow the
vehicle to slow to 30 mph with the throttle
closed. Repeat the procedure 10 or 12 times.
This will load the piston rings and cause them
to seat properly against the cylinder walls.
Check again for oil and coolant leaks.
8Drive the vehicle gently for the first
500 miles (no sustained high speeds) and
keep a constant check on the oil level. It is not
unusual for an engine to use oil during the
running-in period.
9At approximately 500 to 600 miles, change
the oil and filter.
10For the next few hundred miles, drive the
vehicle normally. Do not pamper it or abuse it.
11After 2000 miles, change the oil and filter
again and consider the engine run-in.
2B•18 Engine removal and overhaul procedures
25.17 Measure the width of the crushed
Plastigauge to determine the big-end
bearing oil clearance
3261 Jaguar XJ6