While driving about 70 mph out of no where my 02 r lost all power. The cel started flashing and got RP. luckily i was close to an exit an made my way to it. At the light the car idled so bad it felt like the engine was gonna liberate itself from the bay then stalled, it was even nice enough to display "engine stall" on the dash display. It started back up and i managed to get to a mall parking lot. I popped the hood and saw what i thought was burning coolant. I opened the hood and looked where it was coming from, rear of the engine compartment under the throttle body, near three connectors and saw small flames. I grabbed the cup of iced tea i had and put it out. I had it towed back home so i could assess the damage. I started it with great concern to try and get it into the garage there's a downward incline to get into my garage and while backing in i noticed no brakes as if the booster or master cylinder was toast. I poked around where the fire was but didn't see any tell-tell signs of it. Didn't seem to lose any coolant but when I checked the oil it was really thin and dripped off the dipstick. I immediately went BHG, but didn't notice any white smoke from the exhaust nor could I smell any burning coolant. I'm might get my buddy to bring his scan tool over pull the codes but I'm pretty set on letting this one go for either a 60k 02-03 or an 04-05. It kinda seems like a few unrelated issues, any ideas.

 

I *THINK* brake fluid is flammable, and if it dripped onto the exhaust manifold or pipes, that might ignite it... I would also guess you are going to find burned wiring down there as well. I would recommend taking as much off around the area as possible to assess the damage fully.

I have a master/booster assembly (and possible some wiring) from a 98 XJR part out if you need- pm me if interested.

 

from where you describe the fire was coming from there's 4 lines that are the important ones to check.
Firstly the two brake lines, and the two fuel lines. These are tight to the transmission housing and go along the chassis and down towards the rear.

Having engine running issues along with flames implies a fuel line fracture. Resultant heat could cause the brake issue. I'm guessing here.... Pictures would help.

The offer from Dsnyder is great, the brake pedal assy is the same, and much of the engine harness from a 98 will help, but 02 is direct fit instead of cut/solder. Replacing the 4 steel lines isn't too much of a job either.

 

That's not good Redd.

Just a bit surprised that you parked an undiagnosed fire, in your garage! I'd have left it outside with the Batt disconnected over night.

Nice offer from Dsnyder.

Be interesting to read your final diagnosis.

Hope you can get to the bottom of things.

 

That's scary , hope you figure out what's wrong with that car

 

Yesterday I had it towed to the dealer. The fuel line theory is plausible one Sean, no fuel will equal misfiring and loss of power. I seriously considered fixing it but the boss says otherwise. I am anxiously waiting for the prognosis from the dealer
I have my eye on a fews R's that I really like. A red (my favorite color) 02 with 62k on it, a black 03 with 40k on it, a couple of 04's an and 05. The x350's have around 100k on their clocks.

 

BTW, are fires not covered under your insurance?

 

Yeah but since it isn't likely totaled I'm not gonna put myself through the irritation unless the dealer says the damage was more extensive than can be seen. The wife isn't into owning the car anymore so it's time to move on.

 

sorry to hear about your car, if you have to replace it I would say stick with an X308, the X350 loses most of the charm that make the XJ an XJ

 

Yep, agreed only the XK remains as a classic/retro feel now IMO. but 11/12 the XK looks like a 97 Toyota Supra. sad is it not? The chrome gills on the XJ fenders made me chuckle. IMO the 308 was perfection along with the 03-STR...maybe Ford will buy back Jag?

Champ come back and tell us how much the dealer is going to charge you...

 

Dealer says they see no signs of the fire, but said the egr valve was just dangling and not connected. I'm not convinced that caused the flames but they reinstalled it and said the misfire is gone and seems to be running ok except the supercharger was knocking which I knew about and was considering my options before the breakdown. I had it towed to a local Jag tech with his own shop who's gonna fix that for 700. It should be done today.

We'll probably be sticking with an x308, I found an 82k 02 r1 that the wife is fond of. I've been considering x350's mostly because they're a bit larger and more modern. I compared the differences between them as follows: the 308 is like the really young sexy lady, formed perfectly, sized almost perfectly and a bit wild. The 350 I likened to the same lady but but grown up a bit, a little bigger but still very sexy but much more polished.

 

Did you send your car to Dallas Auto Center? Dallas is the best Jag tech in town by far--he was the shop foreman at Williams for years. I bought my R from a customer of his.

He also looks after my Bentley and my Rolls-Royce.

Cheers,
Aaron

 

Yep, that's where I sent it. He has a 99 r sitting in the back that needs a rear diff. If it weren't for tensioners and nakasil I would make him an offer.

 

Pushed back to Tuesday at the latest, it'll be ported, win.

 

Oh nice, I wouldn't mind a backup R in my stable hmmmmm....

 

The end result....i got the car back on a Monday, it was missing bad. The "gentleman" who worked on it said a timing chain was broken, and his next step wasn't seeing if any valves and pistons contacted but to just replace the timing gear and considering his incompetence, I'm sure he didn't do that right because the car threw a rod 4 days later on that Friday. Now my wife and I are considering our legal options (I'd love to talk to any members who are lawyers or law savvy.

Also if anyone has a line to a reasonably priced replacement engine 4.0 or 4.2, let me know.

 

Incident becomes disaster becomes catastrophe.

Hope you get good advice to get out of this on the winning side.

Graham

 

Ohh that's too bad -and you were winning.
You have my sympathy.

 

Ouch

You're in Ohio, Maybe we'll meet sometime. Are you still going to get another R?

 

Maybe we will.
I'm looking for another engine now. I'm even considering an ls swap but I would want GM's 6 speed auto or 6 speed manual which will drive up the cost. It all depends on how the legal precedings go.