Hello Chaps!
Hope everyone is enjoying the festive season. My 2001 XJ8 seems t have developed a bad habit at this time.

I have noticed when driving a burning smell coming through the vents! I never have the A/C off and have had it set around 24C the last few days. I had it recharged about 20 months ago and was going to have it done again when I reached the 2 year mark.
I have checked the engine area in case any papers or anything had got lodged in there and were against the manifold and the bay is clear.

I'd appreciate a push in the right direction on this one as its obviously an uncomfortable smell.
Thanks Guys!
S.

 

Doesn't smell like burning oil by any chance? Valve cover leaks onto the exhaust manifold are common.

 

Stu that's a good tip from test, before starting next time check for oil on the exhaust/shields with a torch - only needs a drop.

 

He means a flashlight . . . not a torch.

Queen's English and all that rot.

EDIT

Oops! Now I notice the two of you speak the same language.

 

Ha Ha! Mine even has the Jaguar Torch in the Glovebox so bonus points!

I have looked at the manifolds, but it was just after a run, and as Sean B will testify a 1/2 hour journey round here can take 2 hours at the moment! (2 hours Southport to Crosby on Monday afternoon!) I do hope this isn't something too serious as I've just paid a lot to have the suspension overhauled and don't fancy paying out on more work

I'll keep you posted with what I find. S.

 

Right then, I've been out and had a look at the Manifolds, and after a long, close inspection there is no oil on them. What I have found however is on the front of the engine.

There is pink water marks all over the front of the engine which suggests a pipe is leaking somewhere. I can smell a faint smell of what I can smell coming through the vents, which could be this stuff! I suspect the recent low temps have caused a little damage here.

I want to get at the area in front of the bulkhead/firewall to see if any plastic items might have gone there, as well as the front. Meanwhile I'll just keep my coolant tank topped up.

Thanks For Your Help so far,
S.

 

Hmmm ... smell somethin and torch in the same sentence? Other side of the pond...LOL

 

LOL - TP, this thread is good enough for a "routine"...kinda like "who's on first".

 

Bet we could get some real quotes together demonstrating the differences in English. I'll go 'southern' if ya'll go 'British'.

Don't go fix'ng somth'ng that's not brok. Anything stinkn'g in the engine compartment is going to get sucked in the fresh air vent of the passenger compartment. Run on 'recirculate' for a few days. Hold the 'recirculate' key down for a few seconds and it will hold into that position . . . until you turn off the car. Do over!

 

I can do "hillbilly" really well since I am one!

 

And, I can't even get it done in one post!

 

I think that is 'I ar one'.

Careful, yer upbring'ng might show thro'.

 

I gave up on trying to hide years ago. I'm a Kentucky Hillbilly through and through and educated all the way to the tenth grade, an accomplishment for which I, and the entire clan are immensely proud, but I pray I'm not a redneck along with it. Something went haywire in the DNA though because I have all my teeth. A high school dropout Hillbilly with teeth, an oxymoron if I've ever heard one.

I guess you never really know if you're a redneck w/o taking Jaff Foxworthy's test, which I never have. Just too scared to see the results. Now...let's get on to Fixin' them Jagwires over in England where they speak and write funny like.

 

Hey Stu:
I know this may not be the right thread to get into this topic, but just wondering as you said you spent alot to overhaul the suspension. Can you give me a quick breakdown on what you did and what it cost? I'm looking to do the same, and kinda curious as to what I'll be up against. Much appreciated.

 

Is this a true statement? If you hold down the recirc button it will stay on? Mine keeps turning off about every 2 minutes. I just thought it was something you had to live with. This is my third one in 7 years and didn't know that.

 

Of course it is a true statement.

 

@ DJ Somebody:
I am in the UK so I'm not sure if the prices would be the same for you in the US. I know if it has anything to do with Jaguar in the US the price seems to be a lot higher than here in Britain. But Here is what I had done:
Front Suspension:
Top & Bottom ball joints, Anti Roll Bar Links & bar mount bushes, Upper & Lower wishbone bushes and the lower shock bushes. I am also having the Front Cross Member mounts replaced in January. Both Front wheel bearings were done whilst we had it all in pieces.
Rear Suspension:
The Bushes here were ok, but I had to have both rear wheel bearings replaced. Along with this I had new pivot bearings, sleeves and pivot pins put on the hub carrier.
I paid about £360 for parts so far, but have yet to have the labour added as the work is incomplete and we will be continuing with it in January. It feels like a new car though, which is always good.

 

I wish I would of asked that question 6 years ago. LOL

 

Thanks Stu!
It gives me a little insight to the task approaching.

 

So, has anyone got any idea what could be spraying coolant out? Is there a part prone to breaking here that gives these symptoms or am I looking at having to strip the front cooling section down? I'm hoping its just a pipe and not a water pump or something.
Thanks, S.