The Dark Sapphire or is it Loire Blue? Jaguar XJ

[martynr]

Hello there! I hope you are all well. Here is mine XJ. The vehicle was purchased in a bit of a state.




I did some inspection and was thinking where to start. So I decided to get the XJ moving. The passenger wheel was absolutely fked and I did not have the locking key nut. I tried searching for them and almost traced the pattern, but no cigar.
I looked at some videos on them internets for ideas. Got some tools out closer to the action and started attacking the wheel as hard as I could.


I managed very little due to awkward place of the action. Not used to be on the knees for that long...


I remembered that I bought a hammer drill not so long ago. So I put a chisel on with a little tapping hammer and tried to undo the locking nut. I undone it or so I thought! Due to amazing anti thievery design by Jaguar the locking key has split and started turning in the middle... So, I kept hacking the wheel until a sizeable piece broke away with a crow bar.



Here with a replacement wheel and dealer from Solihull was very helpful to identify the locking key. One of many things sorted.



I went onto another job to replace the link and lower arm. I tried to put it on only to notice that it was completely different. So sent it back and got the full corner instead. It seems that Napa had a different part in mind...





While replacing the lower arm I noticed that the area where it is attached to subframe has been damaged. So, old subframe out.


A good one in.


The power steering wheel seemed to be sticky at certain points. It was removed. On closer inspection I noticed that due it being attached off the center the left inner rod is longer than the right. I believe it was bent in the accident as well. Also, the PS fluid was really dirty as the right side boot had a nick in it and it was letting dirt onto the inner rod. I think the nick was from the factory due to its location.


I left the links to have the edge on the steering over the other road users with single links. It seems to change direction much quicker now.





After putting everything together I got a rear abs sensor fault that would throw a lot of messages on the dash. I tried swapping the abs sensor from the other side, but it did't help. So, started looking on them internets and someone mentioned that they had to replace the wheel bearing on an Ftype and it only had 12k miles on. So, off I went removing the knuckle and giving it to a friendly garage and was told to pop in next day. The new bearing looked to be closer to abs sensor than previously on my newbie eye. I believe that the old bearing has moved in its place further away making it harder for the sensor to pick up impulses.
Also, I found a bodge on the brake disc shield. I would love to slap that person who did this. While talking to the dealer I was told that it should have rivets and I could not believe him as it had m7 threads in the knuckle...


Finally done... I have driven it for a bit to check that all was good. It seemed to be okay, but there is noise from rear diff. On inspection it was to leaking from the front seal. So, I parked for now. I hope that I won't need another diff. Ordered a new seal and it should be here next week...

[waynedear]

They are lovely looking cars, great job saving it.

[LanceRS]

Amazing cars, good to see one being saved.

[martynr]

Cheers, folks

[martynr]

A little update on XJ. The Jag is like an ongoing investment I was not looking for. The rear left abs sensor was throwing an error. So I swapped the sensor from the other side to eliminate other posibilities, but to no awail. It was a faulty bearing, but it looked just fine. The chap from garage was surprised when I asked to swap it with a new one. After a bit of driving I noticed a whine from the rear coming at around 30mph. I removed the driveshaft to check if it was a bearing and it was very stiff. So off another bearing to the garage. The chap at garage joked that if the next will be the front bearings. I hope not. I also replaced the diff pinion seal and that was a pita to say the least. Now I am trying to trace why the main battery would discharge.
The experience of the XJ is rather interesting. I think my expectations were much higher. After having a test drive in s-class W222 they felt very similar in comparison. Also, the heated steering wheel I installed is rather lovely. Now I need a cooled one as well when it stops raining and summer comes also, the luxury seats are fking st.

[martynr]

So, got the low windscreen fluid after filling it on the second day the same message came on again. A quick search on the interwebs suggested the tank is in "two pieces". Upon opening it was in one piece, but I could not trace the leak. What I was surpsised is that it had so much crud in the tank that it was almost blocking the rubber grommets that are used as filters for the spray motors from the tank. Also, I was miffed that on removing the pipes from the motors they were leaking fluid. Since, it is parked on incline it could be leaking through headlight washers. Will see next time...

Crud, st, turd. Not the high days of the design if this happens imo.

[martynr]

Barging all the way to Loch Ness to see the mysterious monster. Unfortunately, none to be found at the location. My elder kid said that its a scam. I am still hopeful to see it one day...

[macron]

Was it "just" the near side damage when you bought it? Cat marked or avoided that? Still looks peachy to me.

[martynr]

macron said:

Was it "just" the near side damage when you bought it? Cat marked or avoided that? Still looks peachy to me.

It was nearside wing, bonnet, bumper and needed another subframe due to adjustment points of lower arm being paper thin metal. The main body wasn't damaged. It is cat marked I think as of time of purchase.

[Bobupndown]

Unfortunately big expensive complicated cars don't become cheaper to run when they are older and less valuable. Strikes me this will always be throwing up expensive faults. If you DIY it might not be so bad but it's a no from me.

[martynr]

Bobupndown said:

Unfortunately big expensive complicated cars don't become cheaper to run when they are older and less valuable. Strikes me this will always be throwing up expensive faults. If you DIY it might not be so bad but it's a no from me.

Yes, you can get a horse with a cart. Only would need straw...

[martynr]

I had enough of this dark colour. So sprayed it with white plasti-dip. Much better now.

[Northbrook]

You've done an incredible job. It's almost a "just-washed" look...

[martynr]

Northbrook said:

You've done an incredible job. It's almost a "just-washed" look...

Thank you

So, first year has gone and I'll try sum up the work needed.
Left and right rear bearing @ £80 for both + £40 for removal from hubs and the removal was done by myselft.
Rear diff pinion replacement £7 + diff oil @£25. The replacement was done by myself which was absolute pita on a driveway...
Fuel filter £30
Oil filter £11
Oil £45
Air filter £12
Cabin filter £12
Timing belt kit + water pump £117 +£48
Timing tool kit £20
ZF gearbox service kit £260
Oil pump for gearbox oil £15
Batteries £54 + £145
Wipers £25

This was for about 3000miles until 2nd service the car was mostly parked for the work to be done.
A total sum of £946

2nd service was £88 for the consumables.

[martynr]

A nice day must be spent making the barge better... I noticed that the main beam was rather dim so decided to get new xenon bulbs that cost an arm and a leg... Also the headlight needs to be removed to replace them and then the bumper needs taken off. A rather extensive work is needed to do a simple thing one would think. If there is no improvement I will be very sad.



Also did some preventative maintenance to coolant housing. On receiving the part I thought that there should be an additional seal where it connects to oil filter housing. It is a BS211 viton o ring that is required. The LR part is 1316061/073372/JDE38234.

[GeniusOfLove]

I'd like to upgrade the bulbs in mine but cannot be arsed with getting the bumper off, the undertray fixings are in a scabby state so disturbing them is not done lightly

[Mr Tidy]

Your XJ looks great in that colour, whatever it is!

Good to see it going back on the road, although it does seem mad to have to remove the bumper to replace headlight bulbs.

[AlfaManc]

Mr Tidy said:

Your XJ looks great in that colour, whatever it is!

Good to see it going back on the road, although it does seem mad to have to remove the bumper to replace headlight bulbs.

Same with the Maserati Ghibli. Best to replace both at once for all the labour and cost it involves.
Nice job in bringing the Jag back to life OP. As Jag seem to focus more on SUVs now, it seems that a lot of what they stood for is becoming lost.

[menousername]

The Scottish loch drive must have been amazing.
Is it true what they say about the XJ handling more like a hot hatch (I think owing to its low weight and steering)?

If you do not mind sharing, what was the initial purchase price?

[S600BSB]

Great job.