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How bad a decision can one make - XJR edition


DirtyDaily

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Perhaps a "click bait" title but the chances of ruinous disaster is always there on a supercharged jaguar, especially on one that cost a mere £2,700. I thought I'll make a thread for this as this is a bit of an attainable dream car for myself. I have always had an affinity for Jaguars and a supercharged XJ is just about peak daily motoring in my mind. This one is a weathered example but my experience of the X350s is quite untroubled. I also thought that the wealth of knowledge that Autoshite has to offer may come in handy.

Bit of a synopsis on the condition is as follows:

Recently serviced

New MOT

Perishables look to be in good shape

Suspension has been lowered via the SDD software (anyone with this software that can help me up the suspension to stock ride height would be very much appreciated!)

Kind of following on from above the central locking is not working, almost certainly a drivers door module issue and was wondering if anyone knew where I may be able to get this one refurbed? People tend to just get another module and have it programmed to the car using the SDD but I fancy getting it refurbed since it's a very common issue

Drivers window is broken, needs a new regulator

Pulley squeaking when cold, I will have to investigate what this is.

No Aircon which I strongly suspect is air condenser seals which are a fault with every x350 I've owned.

Oil cooler leak which I suspect will just be a rubber seal which shouldn't be an issue.

Bodywork let's it down, alloy corrosion is in abundance and on most panels which is a shame, alloys need refurbing but that's not a big issue.

Interior is tidy as I have found on most X350s

Makes a truly wonderful supercharger whine when you boot it and all of a sudden the cars foibles melt away. Power is immense and unrelenting with a superb soundtrack to boot and a planted road feel. Once I've ironed out some of the issues it should be a good example. Good bones you might say.

Come along for the ride and we will see if a "got ya" comes up!

More pictures will become available once I've given it a good clean.IMG-20230909-WA0000.jpgIMG-20230909-WA0001.jpgIMG-20230909-WA0002.jpgPXL_20230909_120505064.jpg

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Yes m9! Welcome aboard the torture train! Show us yer injin then? 

Is it the pulley squeaking or a belt slipping? Belt noise may well be the SC belt at that year of model.  Smooth Idler pulley upgrades to a ribbed type pulley and you'll need a double sided belt. it's a common issue and mod. Literally just got it for mine. You can get a refurbed pulley from Autoreserve, and belt is 8DPK1355.

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Yes m9! Welcome aboard the torture train! Show us yer injin then? 
Is it the pulley squeaking or a belt slipping? Belt noise may well be the SC belt at that year of model.  Smooth Idler pulley upgrades to a ribbed type pulley and you'll need a double sided belt. it's a common issue and mod. Literally just got it for mine. You can get a refurbed pulley from Autoreserve, and belt is 8DPK1355.
Could well be slipping though it doesn't sound like a continuous slip. I'll have a look in to that and see. Try the old wet the belt and see if the noise goes away.
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38 minutes ago, grogee said:

Check the service history for any receipts from a 'Coventry Jag Specialist'.

If you find any, burn the car to the ground.

Out of curiosity, which specialist are we talking? I've had great experience with one but the other one has been absolutely taking the piss 

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Update. Driven say 100 miles in this now. Few times to and back from work and generally around. Driving very well and nothing has cropped up yet other than the temperature not getting to the centre for quite a while. My commute to work is 25mins approx and it was just shy of the centre so I think the thermostat is letting coolant past. Ordered a new one for £17 and looking online it is a VERY easy job. Intake off and there it is.
I'll get that done as I don't want it over fueling everyday to work and back. Makes a good excuse to do a quick coolant flush too.

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Bigger update:
So been spannering on it with kind of no success but found bits to do!
1st, went to replace the thermostat but the one supplied was incorrect so the old one has had to go back in. Can confirm the thermostat is at fault as it's stuck open. (See pic)
2nd, checked air filter. Filth. (See pic)
3rd, cabin filter. Filth. (Soz no pic but it's really bad)
4th, oil cooler is really cruded up so I've hit it with brake clean but it's gonna need a bit more of a deep clean or soaking.
5th, now I had an issue with the drivers window wiper not really wiping so I just got new wipers as it was pretty old. I put the new one on and realised it's just not touching the screen... odd. Realised that the point where the arm attached to the linkage has way too much play and is causing the arm to not press against the screen. I stripped it down to try and bodge it but no joy. Ive ordered a new (used) part from auto reserve to replace the whole mechanism for £40 but it'll be a bit of a job to do it. Brake servo has to come off and scuttle has to come off again. Annoying but whatever.

The car just seems like it's been neglected in general hence the old filters and not addressing leaks for a long time etc. Thankfully their solid cars but does make you wonder who buys an XJR and doesn't do any maintenance. I'm going to visit a bloke in Chester next Friday too who has the SDD software to raise the suspension up to standard ride height as the past owner just had it too low. We are getting there.
PXL_20230916_143556256.jpgPXL_20230916_140429351.jpg

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after seeing those pics of the interior, has anyone else noticed that Yanks variants usually have well mullard leather in about 4 years
All the jags I've had the interiors have been great. I think the heat in parts of America have an effect. They definitely have an effect on the air struts as they fail constantly in America but in the UK they're pretty strong.
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