Xu9 J2 (306 Xsi 2 Litre 8 Valve) Engine Into 205

[Carl Chambers 7 2 Cars]

When I fitted a cheap pattern exhaust manifold gasket to my car (both on head face & downpipe side) it blew when it got hot & was fine with the engine cold.

 

All we know thats happened to this engine is its started tapping & been condemned as dead.

 

Assumption is its the little end bearings, which I'm still sure the 8v XU doesn't have due to the interference fit of the gudgeon pin into the rod.

 

A noise can be many things & its easy to condem the engine but without further investigation (a day would be more than enough) its still a guessing game whats wrong.

 

I understand the reasoning for fitting the XU10 due to time constraints for the Ring trip but in the time we've been discussing it on here a true diagnosis of whats wrong with his old engine could've been made.

 

Graham.

a true diagnosis has been made, its the bottom end of his engine which is knocking 100%!! Weither it be big ends or little ends it will need to be stripped to find out, I have took the cam cover off and that is all fine in there, it doesnt sound deep enough to be big ends, but on his engine for sure it definately NOT the exhaust manifold or anything like that!

 

The engine has not been totally condemned, it could be rebuilt again (this time properly!) but again there is not really enough time to do it!

Edited March 18, 2009 by GKZ 206

[Atari Boy 11]

The engine has not been condemned and I will strip it down and rebuild it, just slowly and properly this time. It is true we don't know for certain what is wrong but commuting to a rebuild and then to find it is terminal is not an actractive route.

I know the route taken is not the obvious one but for me if offers less risk for my situation.

[Atari Boy 11]

With the exception of the early XU10J2 engines, they all have the full works - baffled sump, windage tray, chain guard, oil pump baffle, 6 bar spring, and larger oil pump drive sprocket

 

The engine is from a N plate car (95-96), the XU10 J2 ran from 93-97 from what I understand so might I be lucky and have the better baffled setup?

[pug_ham 245 3 Cars]

a true diagnosis has been made, its the bottom end of his engine which is knocking 100%!! Weither it be big ends or little ends it will need to be stripped to find out

Thats not a true diagnosis imo,.

 

"Its the bottom end" narrows it down, its diagnosed when you know the actual cause of the noise & exactly what the fix is.

 

It could be something as simple as the oil pump chain rattling due to the pump not having the shim fitted when it was (poorly rebuilt) last time.

 

Two hours to take the sump off, remove the pump & if needed remove the big end caps to check the bearings.

 

Same for the rebuild it is the big ends have gone, 8v's don't uaully spin bearings like the Mi.

 

Graham.

[t16ryan 1]

Who rebuilt the bottom end Jonny?

[welshpug 1,675]

So it could be done in an afternoon pending parts supply and crank condition, even better

[Atari Boy 11]

Who rebuilt the bottom end Jonny?

 

I bought it from Ashley

[Carl Chambers 7 2 Cars]

So it could be done in an afternoon pending parts supply and crank condition, even better

Thats not a true diagnosis imo,.

 

"Its the bottom end" narrows it down, its diagnosed when you know the actual cause of the noise & exactly what the fix is.

 

It could be something as simple as the oil pump chain rattling due to the pump not having the shim fitted when it was (poorly rebuilt) last time.

 

Two hours to take the sump off, remove the pump & if needed remove the big end caps to check the bearings.

 

Same for the rebuild it is the big ends have gone, 8v's don't uaully spin bearings like the Mi.

 

Graham.

I think you and Welshpug need to come and do it then as clearly I dont know what Im talking about!

I have clearly never worked on these engines or been a fully trained mechanic since I left school many years ago!!

 

Clearly I have just looked at it and said sorry Jonny that fcuked mate!

 

 

 

The knocking started after the car had a power run on a rolling road! So something in the bottom end has gone wrong, but would need to be stripped to see what it is.

Due to the fact I have cars booked in till at least Wednesday next week and the short time scale another engine is the quickest and easiest way to go for now.

Anyone that says an engine re-build is easy is talking out of their arse, they are only easy if things go right. Many people re-build engines thinking they know, but like this engine proves, most of the time they dont!

Edited March 19, 2009 by GKZ 206

[Anthony 1,003]

The engine is from a N plate car (95-96), the XU10 J2 ran from 93-97 from what I understand so might I be lucky and have the better baffled setup?

Should do, yes - in my experience, it's only the very early engines (92/93) that don't have the full oil control setup.

[Atari Boy 11]

Should do, yes - in my experience, it's only the very early engines (92/93) that don't have the full oil control setup.

 

That would be great news if that’s the case then. A genuine unquestionable improvement over a standard 1.9 XU9.

 

I was sensing we needed some happiness in this thread, group hug ?

[Atari Boy 11]

The car is back up and running, as so far running really well. I appreciate that I am comparing it to an unhappy 106 bhp 1.9 but wow, what a difference.

It pulls so much better and still revs really well.

I got the cam off the 1.9 and matched up the inlet ports and it seems as though it paid off.

Roll next Tuesday when I head to the ‘ring.