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A recent post on the X260 ( late model XF ) forum told a tale of woe with an engine ruined when a plastic part failed. That generated other stories of plastic failures. Seems it could be rare for any modern Jag with a substantial burden of plastic items in the cooling system to reliably get much beyond 100,000 miles unless many are replaced or at least carefully and regularly checked. There are suggestions the plastic blight has the same effect in the engines of many cars.
I recently had to replace my supercharger, which sounded as though the needle roller bearings for the rotors were worn, and indeed there was noticeable play in them. As part of the process, I had to disturb some of the heater connections. As I have rear air con, there are two Y-connectors at the back of the engine bay. I found one of them had fractured during my efforts to remove the false bulkhead. I managed to get a metal replacement made, and then realised after assembling everything, that the other Y-connector had broken in a different place. That was not good news as a long-planned trip of about 2000 miles was due in about a week. After some thought, I had a brainwave. I replaced the Y-connectors with lengths of heater hose, exactly as is done in cars without rear aircon. It was summer, I had no rear passengers, so who cares? The repair went as planned, the car performed perfectly, and the replacement parts from Jaguar Classic spares arrived while I was away. Cost: NZ$300. I am trusting that the new parts will last as long as the originals (about 14 years). The black plastic parts seem to suffer some degradation due to the coolant and the temperature cycles. The inside of my engine appears very clean. I always refill the engine with R.O (reverse osmosis) water, which is very pure, and the manual specifies distilled water. At some point my coolant has been changed from orange to green type, but it works ok. Some time soon, I must fit the replacement Y-connectors and restore full functionality to the rear aircon, but it's about a two or three hour job for this old man.
The radiator was leaking from the top, through the rubber seals. They will replace it with an OEM one. I'm pretty sure the leaking was caused by age, not because of the fall. The car is still at the body shop, they have to fix some imperfections on the respray. I finally decided to replace the passenger side fender because I don't like how it looks after the repair. They will paint it for free. One tip for you all, the trim around the windows is made of aluminum, these guys managed to polish it with compound and nowit looks almost brand new. See below. I tried to upload some videos but don’t know how.
Tigre, they used like five different grits of sandpaper and then polishing compound. I'll find out this Saturday, I'm flying AGAIN. By the way, I will change the thermostat, just in case, there are many posts in this blog about it.
I came back from Tampa, went to Langdon's Used Auto Parts where I found the nicest guy in the used auto parts business, Morris Trevor. Well, I found a grille, because the grouler on mine broke somehow (the mechanic will pay for it of course). He gave me some small interior trims for free, the nicest guy ever. The important information here is that they have several XJ8s (XJ40, XJ300-308, 350) (no front fenders by the way), including a fairly good 2004-05 XJR (I was tempted to use its grille and paint in Zircon, but no, chrome it is). Plenty of wheels, interior parts, body parts, etc. I couldn't find a fender there so the repaired one will stay, it is 98% perfect, it will be like a small scar in this feline. JInxie will be in the paint shop tomorrow to fix the small issues on the respray, detailing will be this Tuesday and radiator will be replaced after that. Lets hope this poor car and his unlucky owner can finally meet next weekend.
In a lift again…. I only hope that…. Nissens radiator, I ‘ve read mixed reviews about this brand. Some people love it some hate it. Time will tell. I will also replace the thermostat and expansion tank, old plastic is never safe. We managed to repair the engine splash shield. There is a new fuel filter also.
I finally got fed up with the back and forth of the windshield guy my mechanic hired. If you remember he installed a heated windshield instead a regular tinted one. Safelite is the best, next day service, less than $ 500 ( which my mechanic will pay) and professionally installed. My dad looking at his new ride. The heated windshield has a different rear view mirror mounting system, that’s why the crook stole my original mirror and replaced with a VW’s unit. This is the right one. I just bought a new (used) OEM mirror in ebay. Heated windshield out. Professional service. Looks much nicer now. Will pick up the car this Monday. I hope this saga ends soon.
Great thread. I also have had wonderful service from SafeLite. Been using them for years and years without ever a complaint. Their website scheduling system is awesome.
What an interesting story, my heart sank at the start of this, when the car fell of a lift and you were wondering whether to keep it. But I am so pleased things worked out and you now have a stunning Jag to drive in.
Lets hope these last few niggles can be gone quickly, so you can enjoy owning the car!
Thank you Chris, season one ended today.
The exterior part is complete. Paint job was great, I'll wash it thoroughly this weekend.
I regret buying that lower mesh grille. There is no proper to install it, will work on that this weekend too. The repaired fender looks ok, I should had replaced completely but what's done is done.
Nice butt!
New side markers all around, from Land Leaping of Portland, OR and Engel Imports from Kalamazoo, MI.
Windshield from Safelite ($471) and new wipers, Bosch AeroTwin AR608S, $36 on ebay.
"New" door, $300 on ebay.
Center caps from Welsh Enterprises, don't bother to buy the Chinese crap on ebay, I did and they don't fit. Michelin Pilot Sport AS4, $ 1,000 for 4 at Costco. All four wheels were refinished at Wheels Doctor in Miami.
I would leave washing it for a month or so after the paint job (or has it been that long already?) and absolutely no wax or polish for the first 90 days or so. No machine car wash, only use soft cloth to hand-wash.
Also, after washing, no dry-wipe, as that will scratch your new clearcoat all to hell.
It has been a month already, I always wash my cars myself, softly and gentle.... it's a kind of therapy. The clear coat feels like silk. Thank you wfooshee, this kind of advise is why I love these forums.
Another salvaged Jaguar, nice work, it looks great.
Got one in my garage too, you can't see where it was totaled either.
Not near as nicely polished up as yours is though.
The X350 conservative design was widely criticized since its introduction, but there are many great design details in what is in my opinion the last "classic" Jaguar. Last night I noticed one of them, can you see the continuous line between the trunk and the rear air re-circulation vents? What a great job the interior design team leaded by Giles Taylor did in these cars, no wonder he was hired by Rolls Royce a few years later.
I’ve been busy trying to make a living. Will take Jinxie to Rivero Auto Interiors near my office this Monday. Mostly to fix minor issues and to make a set of floor mats.
I have the heated windshield on my 2005 Super V8. I believe it's standard equipment on the Super V8. It's not really necessary down here in Florida, but it is nice when the temperature/dewpoint spread is close and there is condensation on the windshield.
02-05-2022, 01:11 AM
Plastic cooling system parts
