New X300 owner at last
Discussion
I've just bought my first Jaguar! A very tidy 1996 XJ6 3.2 executive. I'm picking it up tomorrow and can't wait.I managed to do a deal using my old Land rover Discovery and a few beer tokens. It's flew through it's MOT,it's nice and solid (including the wheel arches) and the toys seem to be working. The only things I could pick up on where the drivers seat bolster worn as usual and some small patches on the bonnet where the laquer has lifted. These seem to be quite common on the X300, can anyone give advise on what action to take i.e smart repairs etc. I'm in Lincolnshire, does anyone know of anyone
who can sort these issues (they aren't too bad but I want to get it sorted).
Thanks. Pete.
who can sort these issues (they aren't too bad but I want to get it sorted).
Thanks. Pete.
Congratulations. I hope you have many enjoyable miles with your new purchase. I was quoted £200 to repair the seat bolster and that was with a new section of leather, coloured to match. There is a lot of work involved. I have a very small hole though - perhaps if you don't have a hole in the leather there are other options.
Not sure about the lacquer options. I'd guess you'd want to remove the old lacquer rather than paintiong over it.
Not sure about the lacquer options. I'd guess you'd want to remove the old lacquer rather than paintiong over it.
Collected the car today, drove the 55 miles home with ease, very smooth and quiet. There are a couple of small issues, The clock digits are dodgy (expected that one!), the ariel doesn't work and the heater wasn't getting warm until i got up to a good speed on the motorway, then it was fine. As i got closer to home it went cold again. The temp gauge stayed at normal throughout the journey. is there some kind of valve or sensor that could be at fault?
Thanks.
Thanks.
There is an auxilary electric pump that circulates coolant through the heater matrix. It may be in your case there is enough coolant flow at higher RPM for the heater to work without the assistance of the pump.
Check the thermostat really is OK - if the temp gauge stays in the middle of the range and the engine warms up quickly - chances are it is.
Locate the pump under the bonnet. IIRC on the X300 it's a small black unit at the nearside rear of the engine compartment with only one visible pipe going into it. Feel it or listen with a screwdriver to see if it's vibrating when the heater is turned up to high and the engine is running. If not give it a smart tap and see if it starts.
Chances are that's all it'll need, but you may need a replacement pump if it's really siezed or failed.
Have a look on British Car Parts to find a picture of the pump so's you know exactly what to look for and don't end up beating the crap out of a delicate ECU box instead of the pump in an attempt to get some heat in the car.
Check the thermostat really is OK - if the temp gauge stays in the middle of the range and the engine warms up quickly - chances are it is.
Locate the pump under the bonnet. IIRC on the X300 it's a small black unit at the nearside rear of the engine compartment with only one visible pipe going into it. Feel it or listen with a screwdriver to see if it's vibrating when the heater is turned up to high and the engine is running. If not give it a smart tap and see if it starts.
Chances are that's all it'll need, but you may need a replacement pump if it's really siezed or failed.
Have a look on British Car Parts to find a picture of the pump so's you know exactly what to look for and don't end up beating the crap out of a delicate ECU box instead of the pump in an attempt to get some heat in the car.
I think you are right about the pump. The car hasn't been used for a while, i've managed to get the ariel to go up two sections (again down to lack of use). I will familiarise myself with the pump and have a go at trying to coax it into life.
The car doesn't have the multichanger in the boot, is the wiring there if i was to source one of ebay?
Thanks.Pete
Im sure there will be more questions to follow guys!!
The car doesn't have the multichanger in the boot, is the wiring there if i was to source one of ebay?
Thanks.Pete
Im sure there will be more questions to follow guys!!
pete5570 said:
I think you are right about the pump. The car hasn't been used for a while, i've managed to get the ariel to go up two sections (again down to lack of use). I will familiarise myself with the pump and have a go at trying to coax it into life.
The car doesn't have the multichanger in the boot, is the wiring there if i was to source one of ebay?
Thanks.Pete
Im sure there will be more questions to follow guys!!
The pump broke on my x300 too. Got a second hand one off ebay for £25 and fitted it myself. Now lovely and toasty. I have no mechanical experience at all but managed not to destroy it, so you shoudl be fine.The car doesn't have the multichanger in the boot, is the wiring there if i was to source one of ebay?
Thanks.Pete
Im sure there will be more questions to follow guys!!
My aerial is a bit temperamental too, but cleaning it usually does the trick.
I think the multiplayer wiring exists on all x300s, there should be a few units on ebay, but I've taken advantage of the tape deck to play my ipod through it. I got one of those adapters for about £2 that goes into the tape hole.
Best of luck and hope you enjoy your loveley new jag.
Looking on some of the other forums, it seems this pump is a common fault. Some even resorted to taking theirs apart and getting new brushes for the motor, from a model shop no less!!
Been looking on ebay at the jag/alpine cd units, seem to be going around the 50 quid mark which seems reasonable.
I did expect to get some niggles on a car of this age, but it hasn't bothered me one bit. I love these old jags and for less than a grand i don't mind doing the odd job here and there.
Been looking on ebay at the jag/alpine cd units, seem to be going around the 50 quid mark which seems reasonable.
I did expect to get some niggles on a car of this age, but it hasn't bothered me one bit. I love these old jags and for less than a grand i don't mind doing the odd job here and there.
Congratulations. They are fantastic, timeless cars and I miss mine every day.
Check out www.jag-lovers.org for some tips if you haven't already.
Check out www.jag-lovers.org for some tips if you haven't already.
pete5570 said:
I think the heater pump is the problem, I did what jaguarsteve suggested last night (gave it a tap) and the hot air was coming through spot on. This morning after work i got in and no heat, so i'm assuming the pump is sticking or partially seized.
What you could try then - an I'm leaving this up to you - is carefully drill a 1.0 or 1.5mm hole in the side of the motor (not the pump obviously)and squirt some WD 40 inside. If it's f
ked anyway you've nothing to loose. If that frees it off and it starts working normally than that's a bonus and will also confirm the pump is the problem. Well the heater has been working for the last couple of days, maybe the pump was a bit sticky or something, i'll see how it goes. there's a few jobs that need to be done over the next few weeks:
The rear bumper looks to have dropped, there's a gap of about 15mm between the bumper and the body work.
There's a slight thud coming from the front when going over potholes etc (possible upper suspension bushes??).
The button that cycles through the computer functions doesn't work, all i get is the mileage, no mpg or trip etc.
I will have a go at these jobs and the clock shortly. If anyone has done any of these jobs and can offer some advice i would be very grateful.
Last but not least, I need a good leather conditioner/cleaner, which one is the best.
Thanks.
Pete.
The rear bumper looks to have dropped, there's a gap of about 15mm between the bumper and the body work.
There's a slight thud coming from the front when going over potholes etc (possible upper suspension bushes??).
The button that cycles through the computer functions doesn't work, all i get is the mileage, no mpg or trip etc.
I will have a go at these jobs and the clock shortly. If anyone has done any of these jobs and can offer some advice i would be very grateful.
Last but not least, I need a good leather conditioner/cleaner, which one is the best.
Thanks.
Pete.
Hi,
Had my LPG powered X300 for 6 years, just retiring it at 321,000 miles for a newer but inferior x350 !
So..heater pump, Eurojags sell re-con ones...about £60 from memory. Easy to fit. Eurojag are an excellent resource for an x300 owner (no connection).
Clock digits....very common, I just lived with mine..but there was a guy on ebay doing a repair for £30 quid ish.....there is a bodge involving removing the clock and a bit of cardboard to crimp the contacts, but I can't remember it.
Aerial mast...usually get a bit bent, so doesn't work. If you switch your radio on/off and here the aerial motor running, there is a few seconds delay..then chances are you need a new mast. Again cheap of ebay....I bought a really cheap one, which works but the end of the stainless steel went rusty (!)....so just check what you are buying.
Rear Bumper....I would look at urgently, the brackets corrode....and you could end up leaving your bumper on the road behind you. If you haven't got the time or bits to fix it properly be worth making sure it is secure until yo can...few strategic cable ties will help !
Enjoy...
Had my LPG powered X300 for 6 years, just retiring it at 321,000 miles for a newer but inferior x350 !
So..heater pump, Eurojags sell re-con ones...about £60 from memory. Easy to fit. Eurojag are an excellent resource for an x300 owner (no connection).
Clock digits....very common, I just lived with mine..but there was a guy on ebay doing a repair for £30 quid ish.....there is a bodge involving removing the clock and a bit of cardboard to crimp the contacts, but I can't remember it.
Aerial mast...usually get a bit bent, so doesn't work. If you switch your radio on/off and here the aerial motor running, there is a few seconds delay..then chances are you need a new mast. Again cheap of ebay....I bought a really cheap one, which works but the end of the stainless steel went rusty (!)....so just check what you are buying.
Rear Bumper....I would look at urgently, the brackets corrode....and you could end up leaving your bumper on the road behind you. If you haven't got the time or bits to fix it properly be worth making sure it is secure until yo can...few strategic cable ties will help !
Enjoy...
Thanks for the info rswift. I'll take a look at eurojags in a moment. I'm thinking the heater pump was sticking due to lack of use , it seems to be ok at the moment (the car is getting a LOT of use now), The ariel mast is going up to 2 lengths so i'm getting a good reception. I am gonna have a go at the clock, i know it can be a bit of a rave, but it's winding me up. I am worried about the bumper though, i've heard a few people say they can fall off!! This will be my priority. Looks like i'll need to replace the 2 brackets and bolts, just looked on skjagtec, they give a good desription of what's involved.
Thanks,
Pete.
Thanks,
Pete.
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