Italian XJ

G

GonzoTheGreat

NAXJA Forum User
Hi all, I’m a long time MJ guy, and active on Comanche Club, but I’ve just set up a NAXJA account because I’ve recently had a chance to spend some time in Europe, and the girlfriend (who is from here) wanted an XJ.

So last week, we purchased a ‘96 euro-spec XJ outside of Naples, IT (to be clear, this is not Naples, FL). It has the VM Motori 2.5L turbo diesel, 5 speed, 4x4, and all power accessories.

My main questions for the NAXJA crowd might not be relevant at all, with “North America” being in the name of the site,

BUT, it can’t hurt to ask: does anybody have experience sourcing XJ parts in Europe?

And: Does anyone have any good sources of information on the VM Motori engine?

Thanks in advance
 
There are other NAXJA users in Europe. You are not alone. Sourcing parts does seem to be a problem. It seems there are no junkyards and no lift kits. And shipping is expensive.

And diesel XJs are about as scarce in north America as junkyards are in Europe. What you just bought would command a premium over here.
 
I know the older ones used a 2.1 reneault diesel with a bad reputation, but the only negatives I can find about the 2.5 are regarding the 4th cylinder head cracking (it’s got separate heads like a Cummins) if it’s overheated. The PO claims the water pump and t stat were done “recently” but I bought an exhaust temp sensor to keep a closer eye on temps. The EGR has been previously deleted, so I’ll be using that port in the manifold for the sensor.

It feels plenty torquey, and at 3k rpm you really notice the turbo. It feels wrong revving a jeep engine over 3k, but I’ll get used to it.
 
75SV1 said:
I think this motor was used in the KJ Liberty. Might give a look at their sites.
Click to expand...
The kj has a different version of that motor, I don't know if anything is interchangeable.
 
GonzoTheGreat said:
Hi all, I’m a long time MJ guy, and active on Comanche Club, but I’ve just set up a NAXJA account because I’ve recently had a chance to spend some time in Europe, and the girlfriend (who is from here) wanted an XJ.

So last week, we purchased a ‘96 euro-spec XJ outside of Naples, IT (to be clear, this is not Naples, FL). It has the VM Motori 2.5L turbo diesel, 5 speed, 4x4, and all power accessories.

My main questions for the NAXJA crowd might not be relevant at all, with “North America” being in the name of the site,

BUT, it can’t hurt to ask: does anybody have experience sourcing XJ parts in Europe?

And: Does anyone have any good sources of information on the VM Motori engine?

Thanks in advance
Click to expand...
Looks like you've hit the jackpot Gonzo - Italian g/f and a '96 Cherokee 😘........... not sure about the diesel engine tho' ;)
Only advice I can think of offering is that the fuel module is a single, complete unit that sits in the fuel tank and it's unique to the 1996 model year. Hard/impossible to source OE replacement altho' Crown offer a replacement unit BUT the sender (magnetic strip thingy) is incorrect so before junking the old unit (when it eventually fails) swap over the sending unit to the new Crown unit. its an easy swap as even I managed it. Can't remember who the retailer* is but they are in Germany or Italy so easier (and cheaper) for you to order from them in Italy than UK.
The other item that specicific to euro XJs of this era is the alternator - I have an OE unused unit which is going to ebay when i get round to it .... don't ask how i know this but its how I ended up with an alternator for a dieselwhen I have a 4.0
:oops:

* it's RBS Handel - hopefully this link for the 1996 specific fuel module works
eshop.rbs-handel.de

5003869AA Fuel Module for Jeep Cherokee (XJ) - 4.0 L AMC 242 (3964 ccm/129 - 142 kW/Petrol)

5003869AA - Fuel Module - Jeep Cherokee (XJ) 4.0 L AMC 242 / Fuel Pumps, Injectors & Related - Engine: 2.5L, 4.0L
eshop.rbs-handel.de
 
I don't know that the fuel sender issue is going to apply to a diesel. The fuel module and the ECM are likely both different from a gas engine.
 
Anak said:
I don't know that the fuel sender issue is going to apply to a diesel. The fuel module and the ECM are likely both different from a gas engine.
Click to expand...
Good point Anak (as ever) so I scrambled to consult my 1996 Service manual and in the 'Fuel Delivery System' section there is no suggestion that the 2.5L diesel is different in this regard. That said there is no reference whatsoever to the 2.5L diesel engine in that section - it is referred to in the intro section of the manual but that seems to be it so perhaps there was a separate supplement for the 2.5L diesel??
Personally, if you do need to change the fuel pump module on your diesel I'd transfer the old fuel sender part to the replacement unit as having an incorrect (i.e. wildly off) fuel level drove me nuts. As Anak states, the ECM will be programmed to expect a specific type of signal from the sender in the diesel fuel pump module and keeping the OE item will cover this.
At least being LHD you won't have the suspension/steering issues we RHD users encounter with spares 'n repairs:rolleyes:
Good luck.
 
I'd be surprised if it had an electric, in tank lift pump. Most older diesels just ran a mechanical lift pump to the IP. The only European diesels I'm familiar with are older Mercedes so, I'm not sure. Gm wasn't using electric ones yet though at that time frame on their diesels.
 
XJ parts (new & used) are readily available on eBay, mainly from Germany, Spain, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland &, occasionally, Italy. probably have to take pot luck on brand though.

That VM had a terrible reputation for head gaskets (& sometimes warped/cracked heads) but otherwise seems to be pretty reliable. Given that diesels are still popular in European countries where the fuel is cheaper (& I believe Italy is one of them) & it's an Italian engine, it shouldn't be too much of a problem.
 
Wow. Sorry all, I forgot to check this thread. No issues with fuel pump. Everything I’ve read says there’s only the mechanical pump, and I’ve got 2 wires going to the tank, so that’d be for the sender only.

I’ve read about the overheating issue, and the PO claims to have had a head gasket failure in 2018, so he had the engine “rebuilt” but it was unclear what exactly was done. I think there might be a low temp thermostat, because it has never reached 100C on the gauge.

We’ve made it to the bottom of Sicily, and while it’s October, it’s still quite warm here, and we’ve had no problems with high engine temps.

The electric fan (which is within the shroud, in front of the mechanical fan) was wired to an auxiliary relay and a switch on the dash after the aircon system apparently failed. But I have not needed to use it yet.

I’ve had very good luck with autodoc.it for sourcing parts, although being from the states, I don’t recognize most of the brand names. I put new steering, track bar, and shocks in before the trip, and they seem fine so far.

fenns7 said:
I have an OE unused unit which is going to ebay
Click to expand...

Is it the 90amp alternator for aircon equipped engines? I noticed it looks extremely unusual. Are you located in the UK? I may be interested in a spare, just in case. I always like to have extras of the weird, hard to find stuff.
 
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