which xjs?

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jim meehan

Original Poster:

1,103 posts

243 months

Saturday 17th July 2004
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Have settled on 1991 face lift 4litre manual cos reports are genuine. Collect on monday.

Any views on pros & cons of this vs auto? This vs V12?

jim meehan

Original Poster:

1,103 posts

243 months

Sunday 18th July 2004
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Thanks a lot Gavin

jim meehan

Original Poster:

1,103 posts

243 months

Monday 19th July 2004
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One's car sure says summat about one, don't it?

jim meehan

Original Poster:

1,103 posts

243 months

Monday 19th July 2004
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Picked up the Six this eve. Great nick - just that area below the front right shock on the wing looks like it needs ?what? - "fixing", I guess; but every one without fail of the 5 I have seen have deteriorated from minor fatigue (like this one) to poke through rusting holes. New bushes fitted last year to shocks though, and wing repair not felt needed at the time. What's the damage usually? Apart from that and a touch on the lower left front wing, I really cant see any other areas of rust on the whole car. Dry footwells and boot. All linkages greased. New in August 91, All Mots from 1995 on. Biggest engine work done by Surrey Jag centre,at 103k (2001) when compression test showed "3cyls down", 12 exhaust valves, reshim, and replace all 24 valve stem oil seals. Last servcies done by David Marks, Notts. 117k and runs great.

Thanks to Chris, prev owner last 18months & 3k. Have made commitment to store in my garage.

Just gotta remember it aint a tvr, and it's not a V12 & I'll be fine.

Now,where was I....?

jim meehan

Original Poster:

1,103 posts

243 months

Tuesday 20th July 2004
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lanciachris said:
Bah. I wouldnt trust surrey jag centre to look at an xjs let alone touch one. As for rusty type things, Hoping you dont mean the inner wings, as that is without a doubt a seriously expensive piece of work to get done right.


Re SJCentre - dont know 'em myself, just receipts for job with car. Engine runs fine though. No comments on problems by DMarks & co.

On reading service records, "recore of radiator" needed, hence coolant not changed when 30k done some 700miles ago in May just. Plus "new front discs next pad change, pads ok for 10k mls".

The inner wing - yes it is, but as I said, all others I saw without fail had shocking rust, this is just starting to go and no comments from above specialist on reports.

So, i'll be off to local chaps for costs of all above.

PS Ted !! Where is that :chews finger nails: icon?!

jim meehan

Original Poster:

1,103 posts

243 months

Tuesday 20th July 2004
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Could've edited, but the before and after would have been lost...

Spoke to D Marks - says car is sound, theyall have abit of rot and the inner wing can be plated as & when. Ride height recently set, all ok. Recon rad fitted and fluids all under £300.

Ted - the :"phew": icon?

jim meehan

Original Poster:

1,103 posts

243 months

Tuesday 20th July 2004
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May as well use the site as a note book.

After 24 hrs, am distinctly underwhelmed by the car.

Clutch travels the length of my shin and changing down to get some revs up is such a chore, it's a case of yawn, let's get there slowly anyway, and leave it in fourth or fifth.

Thought the transmission was jolting, so I called into classic cats in Gt Sankey, chap says it's summat to do with timing, and the problem isnt uncommon, it's just that the auto boxes soak it all up, with it being a manual it shows up. (Gosh, arent I lucky?) The answer is trace the possibilities then get down to whether it's engine management computer.

After travelling over 100 miles to buy this pristine vehicle which had a "partly rebuilt engine" (see above)the Prev owner did say that at times - rarely - engine cuts out when going into neutral. His answer was to disconnect the battery for a few secs and it's fine. Well, it happened 6 times in last 30 miles, and the smell of fuel is strong too.

Anyone wanna buy a used, 5 owner xjs? I want my TVR back!!

jim meehan

Original Poster:

1,103 posts

243 months

Wednesday 21st July 2004
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Going for diagnostic asap. Up for sale on classifieds - no pics yet though

jim meehan

Original Poster:

1,103 posts

243 months

Wednesday 21st July 2004
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Screen now shows 'CHECK ENGINE' followed by FF23.

Er, car runs smoothly and quickly.



By giving some work each to an ex factory chap off County Road and BobFrance's man in Rochdale, perhaps I can be persuaded of the merits of ownership for a while longer, if only to be able to hand on the motor righteously as a sorted one - and, in the process, learn to reject the folly of leaping immediately to the stage of absolute terror when confronted by a problem.

jim meehan

Original Poster:

1,103 posts

243 months

Friday 23rd July 2004
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update:

FF23 code showed up, for the first time, just as I had arrived at IndSpec on wed eve, after it's worst episode of conking out when in neutral.

Since then, it drove great - including while with Ind Spec (drat) and this code still shows up. Smell of petrol had appeared in car. Also, have been averaging 16s mpg.

Data shows code FF23 to be either a regulator or fuel pump. Therefore, it seems likely to be fuel pump. Next step is to source a 2nd hand one first and try it(assuming a new one is prohibitive costwise for me ....)

Why would fuel pump be problem if, after causing car to stall, it started again straight away when key is turned? Surely there would be a delay in sending fuel? Anyone hear of dodgy computers on early facelift models sending erroneous messages?
IS isnt aware of any default codes but could it be that engine management has resorted to a compensatory setting that overrides the problem, until it is sorted? A setting which masks the real problem? Watch this space


>> Edited by jim meehan on Friday 23 July 06:59

jim meehan

Original Poster:

1,103 posts

243 months

Friday 23rd July 2004
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Cheers chaps - however.....

My man (Martin at Jag Autos, Spellow Lane) says as this is a facelift, there is a container replacing the old swirl pot design, inside the fuel tank, not outside, which does not suffer the vagueries of the old design.

He has indeed seen crap in the filter gauze and is putting in a 2nd hand pump (from XJ40) sourced from legit supplier and a new filter.

He also (wait for it...) actually READ THE HISTORY SUPPLIED which is a refreshing change, with out my having to feel a prat for pushing it in his face.

And, lo, he noted that other independents down the years have had FF23 and replaced the wrong bits - namely airflow meter and lambda - and the problem has reoccurred. We'll fit these bits, if ok, it's ok. If not, it's not and no loss cos he'll see the job through.

jim meehan

Original Poster:

1,103 posts

243 months

Friday 30th July 2004
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Well,Bob.... as next door's alarm woke me from slumber

Great to meet your man Steve on saturdayas we called to show him the acquisition the day after I shelled £250 to local guy for a second hand fuel pump, which failed to remove FF23 from the trip, and en route had 'check engine' warning light on. Thought we'd send car in at some point for a check over or as a trade up for another.

The next day, 30 miles away, a blast of white steam under (sharpish) acceleration emanated from the rear of the car. Almost instantly followed by darker matter from my own... Twas, reassuringly as it happens, not head gasket, but a ripped heater hose under the intake manifold - I replaced it myself the next day; £19. Noticed dizzy was loose at securing bolt. Tightened in position which seemed to correlate with circular debris and it ticked over ok.

I spoke with DMarks, who serviced it before in Notts, and as the Mrs was going to see folks thereabouts, and he had the recon rad it needed, I asked if he would kindly check out the timing while he did it... thought £300 more inc rad may be worth it. Off she goes, keeping car to max 3000 and a bit rpm, just incase.

27 mpg on the trip, ran like a dream, I was told.

Got a call yesterday morning to say timing was a tad out, throttle body had been fouled up, tickover still erratic. After discussion he agreed to check valve timing, £400 bill expected at that point.

7 hrs labour plus a second hand potentiometer and what appears to have been much struggle later, it looks like it's £600. PLUS VAT £715!!!

My girl gets home, to inform me it cut out 4 miles out of Notts for the first time, then as M6 was chocker, up to 10 times more, 21mpg, and a new FF44 has appeared...

Left message on the man's mobile and will talk later.

Took for a spin last night. Runs smoothe as anything, flies along swiftly, but exhaust sounds like it's blowing now; smell of petrol which was always there has gone from cabin now unless under acceleration when it returns with a vengeance; and a clunking from the rear.

Top dollar paid + £965 extra in a week. And I was getting to like it, thinkin let's keep it... but am watching Mrs J for signs of striking matches and she's got me on suicide watch again. She says we should spend more money and "get a nice car". I say I dont want "nice", I want interesting, powerful AND reliable.

Hope this finds you well, Bob. And thanks for asking.

jim meehan

Original Poster:

1,103 posts

243 months

Friday 30th July 2004
quotequote all
yahayy!!!!

ffFF24 AND FF44 today. Stalling like a twt. What's that then, Dave. Lambda probe? Oh well, another hundred or so, ey? How do you change one of them yourself? Cant be arsed anymore - had enough. Waste of money just goes on.

jim meehan

Original Poster:

1,103 posts

243 months

Saturday 31st July 2004
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Now then,

When the computer says the car is in need of an expensive part + main dealer or independent rates ( of over £50 per hour, inc v.a.t.)...REMEMBER that it is designed to sell parts cos it's put in by the car makers!! So,

DONT FORGET THE WIGGLE TEST

Many thanks to Steve Haywood , True Guru of the Cat, in Rochdale 01706 719111 who gave unpaid time to advise, inspire and reassure

and

Bob Karwowski, Fixer of Felines, Birkdale nr Southport 01704 543630

XJS back on blob. Steve looking for an XJRS-V12 for me ( He's relentless, isnt he, Bob F ?!)

Meantime, may have just enough funds left for Vera's mot and basic service - but the Street Sleeper tune up will have to ... wait.



PS £44.80 pence all in, by the way; one hour's work. Wiring harness over top of engine was wobbling about. A clip, a few cable ties, some insulating tape and a bit of nouse and it's sorted... Ta, Bob k

Just like TVRs these things when it comes down to it, aint they?!!





>> Edited by jim meehan on Saturday 31st July 22:49

>> Edited by jim meehan on Saturday 31st July 22:51

jim meehan

Original Poster:

1,103 posts

243 months

Sunday 1st August 2004
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chris

Never used that site before just now, but I cant see any xjrs for sale there. Is it just me?

shadowfax

Original Poster:

1,103 posts

243 months

Saturday 30th October 2004
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bought july £4400
work done since £1100
refund from kindhearted seller £200
sold oct £3100

30th anniversary price increase 5-10% next year

my poor timing on-costs £ 2200!!