Hi there eveyone.

I have recently purchased a late 2000 model Jaguar X308 4.0 V8 XJR Supercharged, having sold my X300 XJR.

Lovely car, finished in silver, with the 18" BBS Milan Alloys, Electric Memory Seats, Heated Front and Rear Seats, Factory Fitted Phone, Alpine Premium Sound System with Subwoofer, Powerfold Mirrors. etc.

I do prefer the interior and layout of the dashboard on the X300 compared to the X308 - but this example is remarkably tight and solid and seems very well put together.

A couple of points that I would like to get an opinion from you guys on:

1) - On a couple of occasions, when slowing down, or parking up, the cars cuts out and the dashboard showed the message "Engine Stalled". The car is either in Drive or Reverse when this happens, or between selecting gears.

Usually, it starts back up right away, but seems to hold back a little. Sometimes, after you restart it, it cuts out again, and you need to feed it some more revs to keep it running.

It's a weird, intermittent problem, but I have noticed that in traffic, the revs can drop below the usual point and it feels as if the car is going to cut out.

Any ideas of what I need to check on this?

2) - Also, for some reason, she doesn't feel that quick?! Not sure if it could be related to the above problem, but, my X300 XJR felt brisk compared to this?

It seems to hold back some power? I mean, it's 50bhp more than the X300 XJR I had, so surely it should be noticeably quicker?

One of the reasons I say this is on a point to point sprint, the X300 was nearly 20mph up on speed compared to this X308 - I thought the X308 should have demolished the X300 in a straight line pull?

Again, please let me know what issues I need to look out for, and I am not totally convinced by this car as of yet! It's not as good as I thought it would be, but again, this could be related to the issue in point 1?

Many thanks in advance.

 

For your current problem you should get the OBD codes read and written down so that the members have something to chew on. Make sure you write down the exact codes and not the worded explanation or what the operator guesses as being the meaning.

For less pressing matters, a good read would be the buyers' inspection guide listed in the stickies. The big thing is the upper tensioners.

 

Sounds like a throttle problem - have you plugged an OBD code reader in? The first thing a Jaguar owner of this model should invest in is one of these scan tools.

With it you can read any engine fault codes and take it from there.

Whereabouts are you?

BTW - the car should trounce an x300 R.

 

That's what I was thinking, that surely it should be quicker!

Between two points, flat out, the X300 got to a higher speed, which really baffled me!

 

I am based in Bracknell, Berkshire.

There is a decent local specialist, called JagTech, so might take it there for them to check out.

Would the throttle be a big / expensive job to rectify on this?

 

Thanks to everyone for the replies.

I am taking the car to JagTech on Friday for it to be checked over.

From experience, could there be any other issues causing this problem?

 

As plums and Sean B have already stated, until you get the codes read it's all speculation.

Throttle Body is one possibility but, other than needing cleaning, the common fault with these is for the TP (throttle position) sensor to fail. This is accompanied by the dash lighting up like a Christmas Tree leaving little room for doubt!

Graham

 

bunged EGR at the back of the throttle elbow under the t/b, none working bypass actuator, a fuel pump issue, slack throttle cable, old air filter, an air leak etc etc. To know the issue is to know the codes.....

The obd port looks like a scart socket, it's located underneath the steering column to the left next to the trans tunnel.
The readers can be bought cheaply (certainly less than 1 hour rate at Jagtech) and you know the issue, and can make your own diagnostic checks, and price the job accordingly, so it usually pays for itself the first time you use it, it did for me anyway, and 'found out' an unscrupulous workshop.
For example I use one of these...

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/U581-Diagn...item231f7d152a

I hope Jagtech are good guys and get it running right. If you're not spanner savvi, finding a good independent Jag specialist close to you is important as these cars can be money pits, particularly if dealers work on them.

If you have tools, they're not a hard car to work on, certainly a French make or Vauxhall can be more challenging (I'm not a front wheel drive man!)

 

Thanks for the replies. Will get it checked at JagTech tomorrow, and report back as soon as I know what is wrong.

The chap there said it could be a throttle body, but could even be as simple as a sensor which needs replacing.

Only the computer will tell !

 

Hi guys,

The car has been on a diagnostic at JagTech.

The guy took the car for a test drive, and noticed straight away that it was running nowhere like the way it should be. There is a very slight misfire on tickover.

Also - after plugging it onto the machine, the error code shows it needs a (top) Lambda Sensor on Bank 1.

However, he also noticed that the cam cover seals were leaking, and suspected that oil may have leaked down via the coil pack, into the spark plug over time, and causing a misfire.

He then proceeded to remove one coil, and check the spark plug. As he suspected, the spark plug was totally covered in black soot. Also, visible down the chamber where the spark plug resides were traces of oil.

So, the car needs 8 x Spark Plugs, Cam Cover Seals & Gaskets, 1 x Lambda Sensor and also 1 x Coolant Temperature Sensor.

Technically, the Lambda Sensor and Spark Plugs alone should resolve the issue with the way the car is. However, he said, if the cam cover seals issue is not rectified, then oil will continue to drip down there and cause the issue again in the future.

Does this make sense to you guys? Have you seen this issue before? The guy (Pete) at JagTech is a top lad who knows his stuff. I have used him before for my X300 XJR.

 

Makes complete sense.

 

Sound spot on.

 

Have him check to see if the upper timing chain tensioners have already been replaced - with the valve covers off is the ideal time to check, and to minimize costs if they do need replacing, if they are the original red/orange plastic units.

 

Logical diagnosis and regular issues.

Graham

 

Spot on. Have him replace the fuel filter for good measure as well, it's cheap and should be done anyway.

 

As has already been suggested, I would add that the part load breather and full load breather be checked for any blockages...especially the part load breather, this needs regular cleaning with a 2.5mm drill bit.
Also check integrity of air trunking seals and the trunking itself.
Also check for any air leaks from throttle body to intercoolers.
Also check the intake resonator tubes for any cracks...these are easily damaged and will cause 'rogue' air leaks which will cause all sorts of problems.
Dirty air filters and fuel filters are always a problem on XJR's because owners won't replace them!
It's even more important on forced induction engines than normally aspitated engines.
These engines also run twin fuel pumps.
The car sounds to me like it is due for comprehensive servicing which has been neglected....these are normal regular servicing issues.
The guys at JagTech have a good reputation and know their onions ;o))