I just wanted to make a thread about my car, how I got it, and the journey so far. The pics of the outside of the car are from the date of purchase, roughly 6 weeks ago, and when I brought it home 2 days later. I would like to give it a bath before I take better pictures but priorities dictate - fix the car first! I am going to make this my daily driver for going to work, and let my wife have our suv.
I picked up my 1996 Jaguar XJ6 for $400. It had a no start issue and had sat neglected for almost 4 years. I've replaced the BCM, drained the old fuel, replaced the fuel filter, the alternator, belts, flushed and replaced coolant, and changed the oil. The gas cap was locked in place by varnish so it had to be removed in pieces, and was replaced with a correct new one. I also replaced a failed thermostat and the thermostat housing that I broke. Tires are the next item on the list! Altogether I now have about $600 invested.
Despite the miserable cold and rain, I got to enjoy a good 20 miles on a quiet country road today, and what a beautifully driving car! I definitely enjoyed sport mode and a couple plunges of the right foot, but spent 95% of the run taking it easy. I will have to address clunking from the right front suspension, but other than that I was very pleased with my test drive! Hopefully soon I will be able to drive it as my daily! My in-laws we're nice enough to loan a truck and trailer, and help me load it up
The fuel filler cap has been replaced, and it cleaned up enough to get it to lock, I will clean it up better at a later date.. that picture was from when I first got everything out. I'll source a replacement for the rubber "bowl" at some point though as it does leak water into the trunk.
Well done. It will be a terrific car for pennies on the dollar! 137k isn't that much on the AJ16. Voltage looks good. Its dangerous having the fuel filler on the top of the fender! I think we are seeing Titanium color? This is a good story of a successful rescue. Always nice to see.
It is much appreciated when someone like yourself takes advice to heart, takes action and reports the results back to the forum members. Excellent communication! Thank you.
Thanks! I'm definitely happy to be able to bring such a car back to life and save it from the scrap yard! I always try to be as informative in my replies as others are in helping me sort this out, so that the thread can help others as well.
I know it's a bluish silver color although some of the pictures appear more greyish. At some point I'll take better pictures so I can scrounge up a paint code, as the rear decklid is peeling pretty badly. Luckily for me the bottom is undercoated so there's no rust to be seen!
Well done!
The knocking from the front suspension is likely lower shock absorber bushes, ball joints or upper shock mounting bushes, in my view in that order.
Compared with what you have already been through, not too difficult, nor too expensive (although watch out for poor quality reproduction parts; they don't last long in these applications!). All covered already in threads in here.
I'll see if I can't roll it into the shop building and jack up the front end during the weekend and see what's moving more than it should be. You can feel it through the floorboards when it's making noise, but there's no real play in the steering or adverse handling.
I think your color is Steel Grey, which can have a bluish tint. That would be paint code LEV from the driver's door label. Titanium (LFA) is a darker grey I believe. I like both. No other versions of the X300 were offered in those colors, only the XJ6 model. At least in the USA.
Fantastic!!! Keep us informed as you progress with the recovery. Mine is a daily driver and I just love it. About twice a week I drive from my home to my airplane hangar where my main shop is located. About 65 miles round trip. Has 148,000 miles on it.
I think your color is Steel Grey, which can have a bluish tint. That would be paint code LEV from the driver's door label. Titanium (LFA) is a darker grey I believe. I like both. No other versions of the X300 were offered in those colors, only the XJ6 model. At least in the USA.
Well the car has had a less than OEM quality respray, but it is indeed Titanium!
Thanks! Today I was able to get fresh(er) tires on it, get it inspected, and found the source of my suspension rattle! The outer tie rod ends are worn and have some slop in them, although without the flat spotted tires they are much quieter now. I have two new replacements ordered!
Well as an update to my thread, it's been about 1600 miles so far and all is well! I replaced the outer tie rod ends, and still had noise up front, later finding the upper shock bushings to be suspect. I decided to order new shocks that came with the bushings for $56/pair via ebay. I have yet to drive it since the install as I just finished up.
On another note my rack and pinion leaks badly on the driver's side, so far lucas is the only thing that slows it down but no stop so far. I just added Blue Devil "permanent repair" stop leak as a last hope for a fix in a bottle before i save for a new rack. I'll see how it does after taking it out for dinner on a 75 mile round trip.
Yeah I just had this EXACT problem with my XJS. Bushings on the top of the front shocks were completely shot. Put on some KYB's and that was definitely the problem!
My OE Jaguar shocks seem to be fine after inspection off the car. I will probably save them and clean them up + replace the boots (completely shot) and may use them in the future. Since I went with the budget option there's no telling how long they'll last, although they seem decent.
Well, sorry to say only a few pictures this time, it was cold, and an overdue project.
My power steering leak seems to finally be resolved.
I replaced my pump with a very nice used one, just as a precaution because I'd been running it dry on a pretty regular basis as well as dumping all kinds of stop leak products through it. This was very easy and with use of my cellphone camera/light to see what I was doing the 3 bolts took no time at all.
I then moved on to the rack and pinion, again pretty simple, disconnect the tie rod ends, lines, servo, steering shaft, 4 bolts and voila, drops right out.
It was at this point I realized I had received the wrong rack and pinion, as the new one was a non servo unit. I foolishly tried to install it anyway since it looked very similar, do not do as I did! It is not compatible with the steering shaft or lines.
I then got a refund thanks to eBay's no hassle returns. The seller/company (Leon Trading) did not seem knowledgeable, and the "rebuild" looked like little more than spray paint.
Roughly a month later between the return hassle, waiting on a new part, finding the time, etc..
I went to my friend's garage with my new rack and pinion from Rack Doctor, and some mevotech supreme tie rod ends. We got it all installed pretty easily and after a few attempts at the alignment got it pretty spot on.
It all seems to work flawlessly and I'm very happy to not be leaving trails and puddles everywhere!
The correct part which I ordered from Rack Doctor looks to be of much better quality and finish, resembling OE.
