XJ6 Series III & long trip
Discussion
Evening all,
I've just bought a XJ6 Series III. Sable black with biscuit leather. It's the Vanden Plas model, so I think it was originally a US car (it's now in Finland, as am I). The car has been dry stored and recommissioned in the last year or so after being laid up for 17 years. The key reason I bought it is it appears to be largely rot-free, with the Wax Oil still supple, etc. Quite high miles though at 140k.
I am not that familiar with these cars (I have a Porsche 997.2) and will have to drive the car home from middle Finland at the weekend which is a 5-hour trip. I have breakdown insurance and am reasonably handy with the spanners, but just wanted some pointers on what I should look out for, what tools I should take, etc.
Thanks in advance.
I've just bought a XJ6 Series III. Sable black with biscuit leather. It's the Vanden Plas model, so I think it was originally a US car (it's now in Finland, as am I). The car has been dry stored and recommissioned in the last year or so after being laid up for 17 years. The key reason I bought it is it appears to be largely rot-free, with the Wax Oil still supple, etc. Quite high miles though at 140k.
I am not that familiar with these cars (I have a Porsche 997.2) and will have to drive the car home from middle Finland at the weekend which is a 5-hour trip. I have breakdown insurance and am reasonably handy with the spanners, but just wanted some pointers on what I should look out for, what tools I should take, etc.
Thanks in advance.
I suspect this is one of those Topics where you will doubtless get varying advice much of it completely pointless and even contradictory . You say it was recently recommisioned but not how long ago ? My advice is check your fluids and belts and enjoy your journey as my old dad used to say . A well proven engine and free from much of the technology that blights later Jaguars I absolutely envy you . What a wonderful environment to spend some time in , life can be heaven sometimes . I trust you have invested in a nice car coat and a pair of Northampton made Brogues for the journey and perhaps a soft hat ? A well dressed expensively scented Lady to occupy the passenger seat I view as a Jaguar Optional Extra .
stunning and with those white walls as well... If you want more detailed advice get yourself on this forum... https://forums.jag-lovers.com/c/xj/12
Yes, I will check the fluids and belts. Can't do much about the belts but will take a litre of oil and some distilled water with me together with a small toolkit. Whatever I can fit in my bag for the train.
Heh, a car coat and brougues maybe a tad warm at the moment. Will have to substitute this with a G9 Harrington and some desert boots. Fragrant, expensive (read high maintenance) lady yes, but she will stay in Helsinki as she's not quite so enamoured about such an adventure.
Heh, a car coat and brougues maybe a tad warm at the moment. Will have to substitute this with a G9 Harrington and some desert boots. Fragrant, expensive (read high maintenance) lady yes, but she will stay in Helsinki as she's not quite so enamoured about such an adventure.
If you're driving the Jaaaaaag, surely you need nothing with you? Everyone will be falling over themselves to assist.
And many a fragrant lady throwing themselves at you every time you stop.
It's a bloody Jaaaag after all.
Best of luck, she looks fantastic. Looks like a Virginia to me. A suitably refined name for a VP Jag. Can be shortened to Ginny if she's being naughty or as a Jaaaag man would say, playful.
And many a fragrant lady throwing themselves at you every time you stop.
It's a bloody Jaaaag after all.
Best of luck, she looks fantastic. Looks like a Virginia to me. A suitably refined name for a VP Jag. Can be shortened to Ginny if she's being naughty or as a Jaaaag man would say, playful.
If it's been standing and had little use then there's a chance the brake calipers - especially the handbrake - may be partially siezed. Drive it briskly for a couple of miles without touching the brakes then stop and feel each front wheel wheel for excess heat. Discs are inboard at the rear so the only way to check they're free is to jack each side up and turn the wheel.
Providing the fluid levels are OK and there's no evidence of overheating or oil and coolant mixing then you should be as fine as anybody could be in a new to them car that's nearly 40 years old.
If it's any help I've done about 70k miles in a similar Series 3 without any roadside drama at all. Keep an eye on the temperature gauge and don't wait 'till you're on fumes in one tank to find the twin petrol tank switchover isn't working...
Providing the fluid levels are OK and there's no evidence of overheating or oil and coolant mixing then you should be as fine as anybody could be in a new to them car that's nearly 40 years old.
If it's any help I've done about 70k miles in a similar Series 3 without any roadside drama at all. Keep an eye on the temperature gauge and don't wait 'till you're on fumes in one tank to find the twin petrol tank switchover isn't working...
Thanks, useful advice. I believe the car has seen quite alot of use since standing for all those years and it has a recent MOT. Given the fuel gauge isn't working, I won't be taking any chances with fuel.
On the subject of faults, those listed include slightly sagging roof lining, no aircon belt, and faulty fuel gauge. Sure there will be a few more though...
On the subject of faults, those listed include slightly sagging roof lining, no aircon belt, and faulty fuel gauge. Sure there will be a few more though...
Sisu9 said:
Thanks, useful advice. I believe the car has seen quite alot of use since standing for all those years and it has a recent MOT. Given the fuel gauge isn't working, I won't be taking any chances with fuel.
On the subject of faults, those listed include slightly sagging roof lining, no aircon belt, and faulty fuel gauge. Sure there will be a few more though...
IIRC each tank holds about 45 litres. On the subject of faults, those listed include slightly sagging roof lining, no aircon belt, and faulty fuel gauge. Sure there will be a few more though...
As you've no working fuel gauge then fill both and run the engine for a few minutes on each tank to make sure they're both delivering fuel. If there's any problem with switching between tanks or you switch to a empty one the engine will stop within an few seconds of selecting the faulty or dry tank.
The gauge when its working shows quantity in the tank you have selected and not total fuel you have. There's no balance pipe and each tank has its own pump and as the gauge isn't working and you'll get nothing more than low '20s MPG out of a S3 you'll have to work out what range you have with either just one or both tanks available.
Remember there's no low fuel light and they certainly do like a drink...
Jaguar Steve. been reading up on some of your old posts re Series XJs (even before this purchase, when it was a toss-up between one of these and a x308 XJR - S3 won on looks as my 997 is plenty fast). I take it you think the XJ6 S3 is alright, but needs steering and damper upgrades?
Btw, you must be a bit of a legend as I'm sure the guys on the Porsche forums I frequent have even referenced you
Btw, you must be a bit of a legend as I'm sure the guys on the Porsche forums I frequent have even referenced you
Sisu9 said:
Jaguar Steve. been reading up on some of your old posts re Series XJs (even before this purchase, when it was a toss-up between one of these and a x308 XJR - S3 won on looks as my 997 is plenty fast). I take it you think the XJ6 S3 is alright, but needs steering and damper upgrades?
Btw, you must be a bit of a legend as I'm sure the guys on the Porsche forums I frequent have even referenced you
It's OK for an antique - as is any old XJ including my 308 - and providing you adjust your expectations. The S1/2 and 3 are cars with something of a reputation for a little Grace Pace and Space for sure but the reality is a well driven diesel Golf will run rings round even a V12 unless you're playing straight line drag racing.Btw, you must be a bit of a legend as I'm sure the guys on the Porsche forums I frequent have even referenced you
New OE spec bushes and dampers will always improve a tired car and like any XJ ever made they're a little sensitive to tyre choice and wheel and driveline balance but a few things to do IMO to do if you do nothing else is to replace the steering rack bushes with uprated ones and get rid of the viscous coupled cooling fan and fit an electric one and make sure the rear radius arms are sound and their bushing is good.
Oh and get the fuel gauge and tank switching working and use it regularly. Switching from a empty tank to suddenly discover the other one is almost bone dry too late at night with another 100 miles to go isn't even slightly funny.
Ask me how I know.
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