My XJ8 1998 - just started to leak after heavy rain or strong pressure hose when cleaning.

Its normally the front right foot well but sometimes if really heavy a smaller leak on the left front foot well.

We had massive storm here in Melbourne today and for the fist time I got to see the trickle.

Its coming down directly over the tunnel right hand edge and hitting the right hand wall of the tunnel opposite the brake pedal (we are RH drive here)

Its absolutely not the sunroof they drain beautifully.

I can find almost nothing on the net or here for rain induced leaks for the XJ8 other than sunroof but I did see some minor reference somewhere to some sort of drainage under the air intake panel/piece (the piece that the windscreen wiper comes through) that runs across the car immediately in front of the front windscreen outside and just before the bonnet/hood edge? (don't know how its secured)

Today the carpet is soaked - so need to sort this quickly if any one can help - greatly appreciated.

Rgds Greg

 

Hi Greg,

Welcome to the Jaguar Forums!

I have moved your post from the X350 forum to the forum for the X308 forum, which is the Jaguar factory code for your 1998 XJ8. Here you will find owners of similar cars who may be able to offer helpful suggestions.

We're a friendly group, so please visit New Member Area - Intro a MUST - Jaguar Forums - Jaguar Enthusiasts Forum and post an introduction so we can give you a proper welcome and learn something about you and your Jaguar.

Cheers!

Don

 

Hi Greg - have experienced the same, same side, even though LHD here. Appears to have been a clogged drain plug/hole in what I will call the "windshield rain collector/drain". I will probably have to go picture it to be clear as correct description words escapes me at the moment (age? Wine? Lol). Anyway, there is this drain hole that has a little rubber "cover" (on the bottom of the drain hole") that - even though loose - held back a certain amount of dirt that eventually clogged the drain. I believe the area eventually filled up and found its way in the car. Ever since I found this and unclogged, never had a leakage repeat. And we do have tropical like rain time to time here in TX (or even when was back in the south east). So I do believe I fixed that problem. I do have sunroof leak though ;-) I need a new seal - you can almost see the sunshine through the aperture where the seal is supposed to connect !

Will try to send pics if needed

Cheers

 

Hello Greg,
These are not normally known for leaking and are a good design.
You will find the leak into the interior is coming from the 'plenum chamber'
At the base of the screen.
Remove the plastic scuttle cover after first removing the screen wiper arm, followed by several little screws and simply lift off cover.
Arm yourself with a vac cleaner fitted with thin nozzle, bright torch and note how this setup is configured.
You will note drains in each corner and these need to be vacced out before flushing through with hose.
The drains exit in behind the edge of the front mudguards/fenders for our American friends ;o)
When the water can't get away, it builds up to the point where it will over flow through the two openings which lead to the internal AC matrix setup.
Give it all a good vac and flush...end of problem ;o)

 

You might find your source here, though heavy rain could sabotage the best of the best

 

Thanks guys a LOT for your answers and help. It rained 2 inches in an hour last night and its flooded like a spa this morning - so armed with your answers I will be out there tomorrow to fix it. I've been travelling away from home so haven't had a chance to see your answers until today.

No one in England could answer and here in Oz everyone says they don't leak - which is pretty frustrating given it 'has' leaked !!!


So really appreciated all your help.

Regards

Greg

 

Hi. Tks for sending me your blog link re your XJ8 - re the rain leak work. I wasn't able to see anything on your site - but not sure if you meant there was something on removing the front panel or just gave me your link to enjoy - which I did thanks. You certainly have done a great job in looking after that car. I live at the end of a 1 mile dusty Australian drive way in the country - so keeping mine looking like yours is beyond possible - For me keeping it washed and rinsed constantly to stop any dust from accumulating is the number one need.

Ive just sold this place and moving soon back to sealed roads - so will read your detailing notes with interest when that happens.

Rgds

Greg

 

I thought I would cycle back and tell you what I actually discovered.

I don't know if all XJ8's are the same in this area - but after I removed the front windscreen panel - I found in my 1998 model there are not drain holes in the top panel leading to the wheel arches - but one great big drain hole in the middle low down under the top metal cover. SO big there is no way water can back up anywhere and when I poured water in there it rushed down and out under the car dead center.

So I started to experiment and I found the leak. Now I know why everyone says these cars don't leak at this point.

The water was getting in through a damaged/fractured weld line along the front edge of the gutter where the water is rushing down to the big exit drain hole - right in front of the driver/passenger!

Why would it fracture/crack was of course the big question? The answer is - car accident !!

I then realized the that the leak started as a tiny dribble after a front end hit and whilst it never damaged any of the front of the car other than bend the bonnet edge slightly and the front grill surround - what it did do was - 1. crack the left hand manifold as the weight of the exhaust system moved forwards on to the manifold joint 2.crack the bracket holding the center exhaust pipe near the engine and knocked the radiator out of its retaining slots. AND - caused this weld line to move too I suspect - allowing a gap to appear from top drain to inside car !! or it was a faulty weld in the first place in one spot.

I silicon-ed the line for 2 inches where the problem is and - no leak.

Because these cars are so heavy - a sudden stop obviously puts real stress n certain places and it tries to shift forwards.

Regards

Greg

 

G'day Greg....was this car pranged before you got it?
There should be small drains in each corner as well as the big one.
These flatten out and drain down the inside rear edge of the front guards/fenders.
The rear edge of the front wheel arch plastic liners causes a mud trap
down at the leading edge of the sills as well.
Just peel it back and giv the area a good flush out and check for corrosion in that area.

 

Hi - No there are no side drain holes in this Oz delivered model. The lower level slopes from outside edges down to the central drain hole. The top plate (which the fins clip into) has no holes in it at the ends - just the big holes which the fins sit in and a big square hole in front of the wiper bolt.

Rgds

Greg