Hey, everybody. I am new to this forum, and new to Jag ownership (although I did sell Jag parts for awhile, so I am familiar with the cars).

Over the weekend, I purchased a 1999 XJR for $4500 on a zero interest loan. The car is in fair condition, with lots of scratches and a repaint having been done. There are a few small rust spots in the rear wings. The leather is showing some wear, and the wood on the door panels has a few cracks. It has 146,000 miles on it. Timing upgrade has been done. Brand new tires and fuel pump, also.

First of all, I would like to thank everyone who posted on this forum with their experiences and wise advice. It made researching the car much easier.

The only issue I could find when I purchased the car was some oil seepage around the valve cover bolts.

Since buying the car, I have noticed two issues.

1: A loud vacuum leak under the hood (by the firewall, maybe?).

2: Sometimes, when I get on the gas to pass somebody, I will get a cloud of blue smoke. This appears to be coming from the engine compartment, rather than out of the tailpipe, because I actually drive through it and smell it in the cabin. I see smoke through the windshield. This has only happened twice. The car was warmed up both times this happened. Could this be oil leaking onto the exhaust, perhaps?

I plan on using the car as a daily driver until late fall, at which time it will be stored. I considered restoration, but decided to just keep the car up mechanically and enjoy it until I can afford a nicer one.

 

Welcome to the forum XJRChad,

Good to have you here with us at Jaguar forums. Looks like you got an excellent deal on the XJR.

As you've already been researching here, there's no need for me to give you a link to the X308 tech section. The 'HOW TO' thread at the top is a good place to start for info on regular issues. Probably worth posting straightaway in the X308 section about the vacuum leak and the blue smoke.

Remember to add vehicle details to your Signature to help others to give relevant advice. Go to the User CP button on the left of the top menu bar, then Settings & Options under Your Control Panel. Select Edit Signature and enter the details.

You can also visit the US Mid West Region section by following this link Mid West US - IL IN IA MI MN MO OH WI - Jaguar Forums - Jaguar Enthusiasts Forum to find other members in your region.

Enjoy the forum.

Graham

 

Welcome to the forum XJRChad,

Good to have you with us.
Enjoy the forum.

If you haven't done so already you should add your car details to your signature to help others to help you.

 

Thanks!

I've added my vehicle details to my signature. I will check out the tech section for some answers before I start a thread on my issues.

 

Welcome!

My is the two issues are probably the same source. A vacuum leak at idle will become a pressure outlet at W.O.T.

 

I'm hoping that is the case. You know, the whole proverbial two birds with one stone thing...

 

welcome to the forum and the Jag family

 

Hi Chad,
Welcome to the forum and greetings from the Midwest Region! Congrats on the new car. Sounds like you've got a few little issues to work out. Unless you are really good with a wrench, and even if you are, it might be a good idea to make friends with a local independent Jaguar mechanic. I recently purchased my '98 XJ8, so my initial concern for you has to so with the plastic timing chain tensioners. I'm only assuming that they are the same on the XJR as they are on mine, and if they haven't been changed out yet on this car - personally - I would get them done first thing. You'll be able to familiarize yourself with this cars unique issues in that section of the forum.

Still, don't let all that dampen your enjoyment. It's a great car. Have fun!

cheers,
Scott

 

Thanks, Scott!

I am really enjoying this car. I can fumble my way around with a wrench, so I figure with the sound advice from fellow owners, I can hopefully avoid the dealer. The only dealer that I trust is in Kalamazoo, which is 90 miles from my home (hence the reason I no longer work at said dealer).

I think my air leak is somewhere where the intake meets the throttle body.

 

Sorry about the abbreviated answer, Scott. My computer was running really slow yesterday.

I have been told that the tensioners have been upgraded, although I do not have paperwork to prove it. The motor does not make any noises at start-up or any other time, and the car has 146,000 miles, so I would think that he was honest about it. I can't imagine the original tensioners would be going strong at 146,000 miles. I still listen, every morning, for any unusual noises at start-up, just to be safe.

I have no service records, but a friend of mine who works in Jag parts did a VIN check for me. The following Field Service Actions show as claimed:

S514E (New throttle body)
S474 (non-important, but I forget what it was)
and
S701P (I can't seem to figure out what this one means. Does anyone know?)

 

Hey there and welcome aboard....... good to have you here with us here at Jaguarforums

If you need any further help, please just ask

Any useful site information you may need such as how to post pictures, edit signatures, add videos, using the search facility etc, can be found here within the following link
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Please also take the time to check out the regional section for your area!
There are lots of members local to you with the same interests with info on local dealers and possible meets.
Regional - Jaguar Forums - Jaguar Enthusiasts Forum

I've manually upgraded you to Full forum access so you can better view the site and all its features
Please Jump on in and enjoy the site.................

 

Thanks! This forum has saved me two trips to the dealer already, and I've only had my XJR for two weeks.