What's this plug for it's zip tied on the coolant lines coming from the reseviour and is attached to the red clip on my main hose. Can someone tell me what it does please?

 

That is a block heater. Used in cold climates to preheat the coolant and the oil, it does a few things. It makes the engine easier to turn over, so there is less draw on the battery, and by warming the oil it allows it to flow into the engine faster, which means less wear on the engine.

A battery at -20 has only about 10% of the capacity that the same battery will have at room temperature, so preheating the engine to make the oil less thick can sometimes make the difference between starting or not starting. In very cold weather ( say -40) you often only have one chance to start the car before the battery is completely drained. Every advantage is needed to tip the balance in favour of starting. It's disheartening when you turn the key and the starter does a whirrr - and then nothing as it slows to a stop after maybe 1/4 revolution of the engine.

I'm guessing you've never lived in a place that gets real winter?

 

I was raised in new jersey but never had a car with a block heater. They were always an aftermarket thing. But that's really cool. Thanks for the reply 👍

 

It was standard fit for Canadian market cars, an option for US market cars.

 

Is there an option list floating around somewhere? I have a base model xj6 and it would be cool to see what options were chosen. As far as I know I'm the 3rd owner of the car the first one being the grandfather of the kid I bought it from

 

Maybe you have the quickclear windshield too?

 

What's that and how do I tell?

 

Little fuzzy wires in the front windshield.

You’ll have three defrost buttons. Front defroster, rear windshield heater and front windshield heater

 

like this? Is my car actually Canadian?

 

Yes, those are both canadian-only standard options.

 

I'm not looking at it now but tomorrow I'll check my Vin what am I looking for to find out if the car is actually a Canadian market car?

 

I decided my Vin. Apparently I have a 95 xj6 sovereign from Canada. What were the standard options I should look for now that I'm aware of more of the history

 

Traction control was probably standard in Canada too, as part of the All-Weather package (block heater, traction control, heated windscreen, heated front seats). Options vary by market, but there weren't many. All-Weather package, chrome plated wheels, CD changer (with or without premium audio package). Full-size spare and sunroof were optional in some markets, but standard in the USA. The XJR and XJ12 usually had a lot of those things standard. Most options are not defined in the VIN at all.

I had never seen a block heater either, until I got my XJ12 in 2008. I was bewildered. I thought "how cool, a V12 powered hybrid electric". I grew up in Arizona and have never lived through a "real" winter. I don't think those block heater hoses are available anymore. Not that you or I need it.

I was referencing the Equipment page in my awesome black dealer brochure called "The New 1995 Jaguars". If you don't have one yet, you must get one. Check the "Vendors" section for Coventry Foundation, an authorized forum vendor. They also have a beautiful piece of Jaguar artwork by illustrator Ken Dallison...........

Coventry Foundation Literature

 

Is your speedometer in km/h? Canadian cars were marked in km only, US cars were dual mph/km/h. Of course, if it was imported the speedometer could have been changed.
The all weather pack was standard in Canada, and that included heated seats, heated front and rear windshields, headlight power wash, block heater. Traction control was also standard, but not part of the all weather package. CD changer and Harmon Kardon premium sound is shown as standard on the VDP, not available on the XJ6. CD was a dealer fitted accessory though.

I love the heated windshield, I never need to scrape the frost in winter. Turn it on and about 45 seconds later the frost has melted and a single wipe with the wiper and the screen in clean. If you have it, look against the sky and you will see very fine wires in the glass.

 

What about daytime running lights? Does your car have those? AFAIK that would be standard Canadian fitment at that time.

Larry