1987 Daimler XJ40
Discussion
As much as I like my Saab 900, after 5 years it's time for something a bit less sensible. Looking around on PH gave me a taste for barges, and after a couple of weeks I decided that what I need is an XJ40. It took a couple of weeks looking around, but I found myself a very nice 1987 3.6 litre Daimler.
Well, since it was originally sold in the USA, its technically a Jaguar, but since they are the same spec, and it has Daimler badges all around, that's what I'm calling it.
It's only done 84000km, and seems to be in very good condition, even though it stood still for the last 2 years. The seller did a complete overhaul of the brake system, and gave it a full service escept for the gearbox oil, which still needs doing. As far as I can see the only rust is a small patch on the boot lid, and that is all, which is a minor miracle for an xj40.
The main weak point of this car is the interior. The leather seems to have been badly painted at some point, and the laquer on a lot of the wood parts has seen better days. Luckily, included in the sale were 4 new seats and replacement parts for pretty much all the wood. I just need to fit it. The dash top has a few splits, but I also have a replacement for that. It also needs a new headliner, which I don't have yet.
Right, that's more than enough talk, time for some pictures! I haven't had time to clean the car yet, and I'm not that great at taking pictures, so please excuse the quality.
Well, since it was originally sold in the USA, its technically a Jaguar, but since they are the same spec, and it has Daimler badges all around, that's what I'm calling it.
It's only done 84000km, and seems to be in very good condition, even though it stood still for the last 2 years. The seller did a complete overhaul of the brake system, and gave it a full service escept for the gearbox oil, which still needs doing. As far as I can see the only rust is a small patch on the boot lid, and that is all, which is a minor miracle for an xj40.
The main weak point of this car is the interior. The leather seems to have been badly painted at some point, and the laquer on a lot of the wood parts has seen better days. Luckily, included in the sale were 4 new seats and replacement parts for pretty much all the wood. I just need to fit it. The dash top has a few splits, but I also have a replacement for that. It also needs a new headliner, which I don't have yet.
Right, that's more than enough talk, time for some pictures! I haven't had time to clean the car yet, and I'm not that great at taking pictures, so please excuse the quality.
[quote=kwak]As much as I like my Saab 900, after 5 years it's time for something a bit less sensible. /quote]
So you chose an XJ40
Well as a fellow owner you get a big thumbs up from me - there's an even bigger fan club across on XJ40.com introduce yourself - there's a warm welcome waiting
So you chose an XJ40
Well as a fellow owner you get a big thumbs up from me - there's an even bigger fan club across on XJ40.com introduce yourself - there's a warm welcome waiting
I like your style!! 
They're getting fairly rare, these digital dash XJ40s - particularly the Daimler - or should I say Jaguar Vanden Plas. I like them! A near rust free '87 is a minor miracle - marvellous stuff, and I look forward to reading of your progress with it.
I'm on xj40.com as well - it is well worth joining. Jag-lovers is also a good source of information, though it doesn't seem to be busy these days. The archive is huge there though, if you can work it!
They're getting fairly rare, these digital dash XJ40s - particularly the Daimler - or should I say Jaguar Vanden Plas. I like them! A near rust free '87 is a minor miracle - marvellous stuff, and I look forward to reading of your progress with it.
I'm on xj40.com as well - it is well worth joining. Jag-lovers is also a good source of information, though it doesn't seem to be busy these days. The archive is huge there though, if you can work it!
I've got a pretty frustrating problem at the moment.
A couple of weeks ago, I had an lpg system fitted. Everything worked fine for a week or 2, but now it won't start on petrol. It works fine starting directly on lpg, but nothing on petrol.
The last days before, I did notice that I had to crank the engine noticably longer before it fired up. We checked if there was fuel arriving to the rail, and there wasn't, so we decided to replace the fuel pump. Now it seems the pump wasn't the problem.
Last night I decided to try some more tests, and noticed that after a drive of about 20 minutes, it would run on petrol no problem. Did a test drive of about 5 miles.
This morning, it wouldn't work on petrol any more, and now not even after the 20 minute drive on lpg.
I started checking out the wiring and fuel pump relay, and they are fine, relay clicks like it should when I turn on the ignition, so I don't think the lpg system is to blame.
Any ideas?
A couple of weeks ago, I had an lpg system fitted. Everything worked fine for a week or 2, but now it won't start on petrol. It works fine starting directly on lpg, but nothing on petrol.
The last days before, I did notice that I had to crank the engine noticably longer before it fired up. We checked if there was fuel arriving to the rail, and there wasn't, so we decided to replace the fuel pump. Now it seems the pump wasn't the problem.
Last night I decided to try some more tests, and noticed that after a drive of about 20 minutes, it would run on petrol no problem. Did a test drive of about 5 miles.
This morning, it wouldn't work on petrol any more, and now not even after the 20 minute drive on lpg.
I started checking out the wiring and fuel pump relay, and they are fine, relay clicks like it should when I turn on the ignition, so I don't think the lpg system is to blame.
Any ideas?
Finally found the problem yesterday. Turns out there was a break in the wiring between the relay and the pump. Glad that is done. I also got 4 new tyres on saturday, what a difference that makes!
The bad news is that the I found out pretty much every bit in the aircon system leaks, it'll need a new condensor, dryer, evaporator and some hoses. And I don't even know if the compressor still works. I'm going to go without aircon for a while I think.
Next thing to do is try and get the gearbox oil and filter replaced, and sort out the stereo. I found out the underseat speakers are both broken, but everything else works fine. At least that should be easy: find some 5" speakers, and they should be in with just 4 screws and a few connectors.
The bad news is that the I found out pretty much every bit in the aircon system leaks, it'll need a new condensor, dryer, evaporator and some hoses. And I don't even know if the compressor still works. I'm going to go without aircon for a while I think.
Next thing to do is try and get the gearbox oil and filter replaced, and sort out the stereo. I found out the underseat speakers are both broken, but everything else works fine. At least that should be easy: find some 5" speakers, and they should be in with just 4 screws and a few connectors.
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