Jag XJ 4.2 (x350)

[dylan1]

Hi,
I'm getting a 2004Jag XJ with the intention of converting to LPG. The vehicle is in good order with 87000 miles.

My local installer (who appears to have a good reputation) is recommending an Emer system and has worked on Jags before. However, Jag specialists garages that I've spoken to seem very anti-gas. Also I've been told that Jag engines need additional work done to them relating to the engine exhaust valve, emulator and a fuel return to the tank.

Does anyone know if these are these standard matters that my LPG guy will attend to or are there things I should specifically request for him to do / consider?

I'd appreciate your thoughts before I go back to him.

Thanks

[t400ble]

How many miles do you intend to do a year?

How much to convert the car?

[dylan1]

I do about 17-18000 / year, about 20% motorway, not very much heavy urban conditions. I considered a used 2.7TDVI but was advised that these can have severe probs once the mileage gets high.

The conversion would be about £1300.

Regards

[rswift]

I have a 2003 4.2 SE. It was converted about 5 years ago at 30k I believe ( last owner). I've had it from 40k, now on 126k. BRC System, runs a treat, astonishing economy. I would suggest talking to an LPG installer who has done an X350 before (you do need to think about the air suspension reservoir tank if you want a wheel well tank). I also have an LPG Jeep (170k), and my previous LPG Jag, X300 was converted at 80k, and was still running well 8 years later at 325k.....

[rswift]

google "Mugglestone", been doing LPG Jags for years, mine was done in Derbyshire. Arun Jaguar seem to sell a lot of converted cars. No affiliation with any of the above, £1300 seems cheap ?. I suggest it's worth travelling/paying for experience....thus paying once and being happy ! I'm in Beds, you're welcome to come over.

[craigjm]

severe problems with the 2.7 diesel?

[dylan1]

rswift said:

google "Mugglestone", been doing LPG Jags for years, mine was done in Derbyshire. Arun Jaguar seem to sell a lot of converted cars. No affiliation with any of the above, £1300 seems cheap ?. I suggest it's worth travelling/paying for experience....thus paying once and being happy ! I'm in Beds, you're welcome to come over.

Thanks for the invite, unfortunately I'm in Northern Ireland and a trip to England involves an expensive stretch of water! Are you aware if anything was fitted to deal with valve wear?

£1300 does appear cheap but the chap here is a registered installer. I'd be happy to pay a bit more. I'll speak to Mugglestone and see if they're prepared to flag specific issues or advice to me that I can pass on. I suppose an alternative might be a trip over later in the year for a few days but a local conversion would be more convenient if it was correct.

Thanks for the info, it's given some food for thought.

[dylan1]

craigjm said:

severe problems with the 2.7 diesel?

I had sourced a nice one with 87000 miles that had been well looked after.

However, on speaking to a local & respected Jag specialist, he felt that as mileages mount up turbos can go (@ £800 each) and a issues with the DPF can result in diesel getting into the engine oil with bad consequences.

Obviously I can only take his advice at face value but I accept that this may not have been the experience of others. I'm looking for a long term relationship (70,000+ miles)!

[craigjm]

The 2.7 engine is in hundreds of thousands of cars I wouldn't worry about it if I were you. I would certainly trust it over a conversion

[tiggerjaguar]

Hi, unless you have a guaranteed source for LPG I would be careful.
Have you noticed how many fuel sites are discontinuing sale of this fuel

[tiggerjaguar]

Hi, unless you have a guaranteed source for LPG I would be careful.
Have you noticed how many fuel sites are discontinuing sale of this fuel

[rswift]

Hi, no problem with valve wear at the moment, I have asked the installer about Flashlube and he said didn't need it on the Jag, and I've done a bit of research, which confirms this. There does seem to be a few issues with Supercharged Range Rovers....same engine, but I assume working harder at at higher revs much of the time, so belt and braces....fit flashlube. Tbh I would have thought my car would have shown signs of wear after almost 100k on gas, and it doesn't. It's very under stressed, I.e. Less than 2000 rpm for 70mph.

[dylan1]

Hi all,

Unexpectedly, I located a really low mileage XJ6 which will come with a years Jaguar warranty. In view of that, I'll probably choose it over the 4.2 but not do anything further ref LPG during the lifetime of the warranty. Following what I picked up from here and elsewhere, I've spoken to the garage and I'm a lot more confident about the whole process.

Regarding LPG availability, I'll watch the local suppliers. I'm not aware of any of them discontinuing with LPG but then again I wasn't looking at that until recently.

Thanks for all your thoughts and comments, they're precisely what makes these forums worthwhile

[anonymous-user]

dylan1 said:

Hi all,

Unexpectedly, I located a really low mileage XJ6 which will come with a years Jaguar warranty. In view of that, I'll probably choose it over the 4.2 but not do anything further ref LPG during the lifetime of the warranty. Following what I picked up from here and elsewhere, I've spoken to the garage and I'm a lot more confident about the whole process.

Regarding LPG availability, I'll watch the local suppliers. I'm not aware of any of them discontinuing with LPG but then again I wasn't looking at that until recently.

Thanks for all your thoughts and comments, they're precisely what makes these forums worthwhile

I seem to recall that it was the FOrd Duratec based Jaguar V6 petrol engines that had problems with the valves on LPG but the V8 was fine.

[dylan1]

Thanks, I'll research into that

[dkatwa]

dylan1 said:

Thanks, I'll research into that

I have heard Lexus LS are readily convertible so you may want to consider that...not a Jaguar, but you have your choices.....