Hi, All

I looking at possibly adding an S-Type to the stable. Is there anything specific to focus on with used S-Type’s The car we are looking at is a MY 2005 4.2na VDP. I’m assuming a lot of the things to look for would be similar to my current 07 XJ SV8.

Thoughts

Duane

 

Having enjoyed an '05 S type R for a little over 3+ years, perhaps I can offer some insight. Bought the car with 79k miles on it. First off, test drive, especially to ascertain transmission operation. Not sure about the Vanden Plas, but the ZF tranny can suffer some issues at the 80K+ stage of life. Highly suggest plugging in an OBD 2 to search for any fault codes or better yet have your local Jaguar dealer service do a full diagnostic check. Well worth the investment. This should provide some insight to coil packs and plugs condition. I suffered from the "restricted performance"..."limp home" problems till I had my dealership traced the problem to the throttle body. Check the dual climate control valve for operation or leakage....very prone to failure as it ages. Relatively inexpensive to replace if you do it yourself, though it's a bit of a pain to get to. Also check coolant hoses and expansion tank for leaks, cracks etc. These nylon/poly tanks prone to cracks. Check the suspension bushes/links front and rear. Rubber components deteriorate with age. Fortunately new links/bushes not too pricey, especially as sourced as Ford/Lincoln parts. Same with power steering seal leaks. Be sure to put the locking remote fob through its paces....locking, universal window operation etc. The drivers door module can fail, often from terminals corrosion, which can lead to alarm system failure. I was lucky and traced the dreaded DDM failure to a couple of corroded or broken off multi-pin connectors. A couple of jumper leads from the DDM to the door loom solved all the locking/alarm issues that came with the car when I bought it. An '05 or older may well have headliner sagging problems which might include the liner on the sunroof shade cover. Brits never have seemed to get the hang of interior adhesives that can survive heat and ageing.

Best advice....do your homework and find a pampered, properly serviced S type that's lived its life protected from the elements. My S type R provided some challenges but for the modest $ outlay it was a most entertaining and stylish ride. Yes, I put more into the S type than it's book value but what a wonderful ride for the outlay. With a little over 103k on it when sold to its current owner, I can say it's in better shape now than when I bought it, both mechanically and aesthetically. Hope you can locate one that's had this enthusiast's care. I've since moved on to a loaded '16 XF Prestige which keeps company with my restored '64 E OTS. Love my Jags!

 

You didn't mention which engine the car in question s equipped with, the 3.0, the 4.2 or the supercharged 4.2; they each have their issues that bear checking out in a pre-purchase inspection, As indicated above, it is money well spent to have a Jaguar specialist take a critical look at the car prior to purchase.

 

Thanks for the replies, The car in question is a 2005 VDP 4.2 NA. I agree that it would be best to have a Jag specialist look at it. The issue is that it is on a small used car lot 4 hours away from a specialist or the Dealer. So I was hoping for something that could be quickly done. The car in question only has 85k. I was aware of the headliner pealing issues, My Super V8 is having that problem, can he headliner be removed from an S-Type without taking the rear window out? Here are my major concerns does the 2005 MY 4.2 NA have issues with the timing chain tensioners. I can fix them if needed but don’t want to shell a lot of cash out on a car to fix it the next day.

 

Things to look for on an X202 with AJ33/34 engine:

• Coolant leaks from EGR hose under the inlet manifold
• Cracked/broken breather tubes
• Oil leaks from cam covers or spark plug seals
• Failed or leaking DCCV with control module failure
• ZF 6HP26 service at 60,000 miles or 5 years
• Shift cable attachment - 8mm bolts loose or missing
• Worn front and rear suspension bushes and front ball joints
• Differential noise
• Steering flutter when braking - faulty front brake discs
• Tyres beyond service life - DOT manufacturing date on sidewall
• Water in boot near battery
• Failing or weak battery - less than 12.6 volts when checked with voltmeter; ignition in OFF position

Generally, primary and secondary timing chains, guides and tensioners are not an issue with the AJ33/34, but I have come across broken secondary tensioners.

 

Duane, these have been excellent answers... as for the timing chain tensioner concerns.. that only applies to 4.0L engines. <03 V8 cars (<02 all have 4.2L w/o that problem and have some other upgrades as well)

IMO find an ex garage queen. The reason I say that is this, I'm a car guy (to great depths) and its obvious to me these S-types tend to have an above average problem w/electrical malfunctions caused by corrosion. They also have items that are specifically prone to failure (like all cars have)

Three yrs ago I went on the search for an S-type and found an 03 w/4.2L and had always been a secondary car and was a garage queen. Owned by elderly folks who had it serviced at a Jag dealer. I've done a lot of maintenance to bring it up to my standards. And yes I have more in it than its worth to the average buyer. But its only got 61k miles on it and everything works properly (now), and I really enjoy having it. It's got good power, is reliable, and has the color combo we like. (I flew out to get it and drove it back)

When I bring a new (used) car home I always completely flush all fluids. Doing that can tell you a lot about the current condition and if its been done before. In my case I was very please to see that at least the trans fluid & filter had been changed before.
Other than normal fluid flushes and normal wear items here is what I had to repair on my 03:
- Rear tire rod bushings (weird that they were degraded for a garage queen)
- DCCV (just count on replacing it. As stated its not that easy to do but you can do it yourself and you'll learn a lot about how it all works)
- Radiator (only 60k miles and the car had previous coolant flushes... yeah)
- Transmission cooling lines (the rubber parts all leak and the replacements are not very good. I'd suggest putting in your own hoses)
- RH headlight sagged. (just used the screw method)
- Battery replaced (below 12.1v and you can see problems. I used a AGM Interstate and am well pleased)
- Relays (this really threw me for a loop. They bench tested OK. But in the car I had weird starting problems. It had me chasing red herrings for fuel and ignition. When all along it was simply a bad relay. In total I've had 3 relays go bad and this car was a garage queen!)
- Interior air temp sensor (cleaning it didn't fix the problem. Had to replace it)
- Center console lock cables had a wire perch break. I had to get creative w/epoxy and a dremel tool to fix it)
- Steering rack squeak (it sounds like interior plastic squeak but its actual the rack making noise)
- Sun glass door pops open. (Only 1/2 fixed at this time)
- sagging sun visor material (not fixed yet)
- Windshield wiper motor (I was supprised to see it had already been replaced. So I oredered one from a F150 ford and now it works perfectly)
- Brake pads... Mine are Jaguar brakes 100% but they dust horribly. So I have some akebono pads in hand and will replace them this winter.

IMO... find an ex garage queen and it will save you a lot of headaches. And absolutely stay away from one that's seen winter driving (salted roads)

Here are some posts I made about the issues I found and fixed
https://www.jaguarforums.com/forum/s...vation-209156/
https://www.jaguarforums.com/forum/s...3-4-2l-224482/
https://www.jaguarforums.com/forum/s...r-dash-220296/
https://www.jaguarforums.com/forum/s...h-tips-215808/
https://www.jaguarforums.com/forum/s...estion-215809/

And inevitably all S-Type owners will need to use this thread -> https://www.jaguarforums.com/forum/s...ol-how-185002/

 

Yes. Details at these two threads:

https://www.jaguarforums.com/forum/s...02-how-221911/

https://www.jaguarforums.com/forum/s...al-how-129199/