which xjs?

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Discussion

jim meehan

Original Poster:

1,103 posts

242 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?

GavinPearson

5,715 posts

252 months

Sunday 18th July 2004
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jim meehan said:
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?


The manual transmission is noticably faster than the auto and to be honest I always preferred it to the V12. What extra power and torque the V12 had was sapped by a three speed auto, so it wasn't that quick.

By the time the 6.0 came along (and I can't remember if it was 92.5MY or 93MY) it got the GM 4L80E transmission and it was noticeably faster than the 4.0 manual.

I worked on XJS (engineered them) and I thought that the facelift came at 92.5 MY (i.e. lateish 91) with the rubber bumpers, and had smooth bumpers at 93 MY, i.e. Aug 2002 production onwards. It might be worth checking this out. My memory has faded over time....

jim meehan

Original Poster:

1,103 posts

242 months

Sunday 18th July 2004
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Thanks a lot Gavin

bobfrance

1,323 posts

268 months

Sunday 18th July 2004
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Had a straight six in 4.2 guise in a series 3 XJ6 I once owned. Heavy but totally unburstable.

I remember leaving it stood right through the Winter once and went to move it on a very cold February night (with an inch of ice in the footwell) after doing the usual coolant checks I turned the key - it started first time, what a belter!

I hear the later AJ16 engines are very sweet but they're post 94/94. However you can't go wrong with any of the old jag engines in my opinion.

Me I had to have the 6.0 V12 in my XJS it just makes me chuckle every time I open the bonnet and look at it.

I notice we have quite a bit of car history in common Jim. I went from a TVR 400SE to an XJS too - both great cars but the XJS will take you anywhere, and you always look good when you turn up.

jim meehan

Original Poster:

1,103 posts

242 months

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

V12Bob

647 posts

249 months

Monday 19th July 2004
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oh well, for me it had to be a pre face lift convertible and it just had to be a V12, mind you, I have got my eye on a Black Cherry 6.0 XJRS to add to the stable, but Mrs V12 won't give up her side of the garage

There realy is no car quite like an XJS, enjoy

bobfrance

1,323 posts

268 months

Monday 19th July 2004
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Well you're not having my black cherry XJRS!

I have seen two others for sale recently, which is quite a lot considering the rarity.

One was is up for sale at Arun and I think the other was through the JEC Magazine. Was it any of those?

I'll let you know if I ever decide to sell mine Bob. Although my mechanic wants first refusal on it. Which is a good sign - it probably means he didn't have any bits left over or lost any spanners the last time he worked on it.

V12Bob

647 posts

249 months

Monday 19th July 2004
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It was only a thought.

I'm not sure I can justify two toys at the moment. Mrs V12 will be giving me enough ear ache when she sees the bill for the new oil cooler and associated pipes that the convertible is getting as we speak.

jim meehan

Original Poster:

1,103 posts

242 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....?

clapham993

11,324 posts

244 months

Monday 19th July 2004
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A V12 Eventer - now that is the ultimate -S

lanciachris

3,357 posts

242 months

Tuesday 20th July 2004
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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.

jim meehan

Original Poster:

1,103 posts

242 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

242 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

242 months

Tuesday 20th July 2004
quotequote all
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!!

bobfrance

1,323 posts

268 months

Wednesday 21st July 2004
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Oh dear! I'm sorry to hear that Jim.

If you ever fancy a trip to Manchester you're more than welcome to take a look mine and check out the differences (auto box V12 etc.)

Also I can take you round to see my mechanic who is a real guru on all things Jag and will give you an honest opion of yours and what can be done for sensible outlay.
As an aside - I do remember he always poured scorn on my suggestions of fitting a manual box to mine. From what you say I think I'm starting to understand why.

Remember there are good cars out there, Both my TVR's needed a lot of "love" before thay came good. I guess I just got lucky with my Jag.

V12Bob

647 posts

249 months

Wednesday 21st July 2004
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jim meehan said:
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!!


That definatly sounds like an Engine managment problem. It's a shame that you are disapointed, they realy are great cars when they are running well.

jim meehan

Original Poster:

1,103 posts

242 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

242 months

Wednesday 21st July 2004
quotequote all
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

242 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

lanciachris

3,357 posts

242 months

Friday 23rd July 2004
quotequote all
More likely to be the regulators.