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Well I picked up my XJR today, the invoice was rather painful but they had to replace a few more bits than I expected. They used new cam cover gaskets etc etc & a new crank sensor I didn't expect. I assume it broke when stripping the car down or something, the bloke who did the job wasn't in today so I couldn't ask exactly why it was needed.
I'll tell you what though, I bloody love it with the bigger pulley. It's turned from a sedate car that launches itself at the horizon when wound up slightly to one that wants to do exactly that all the time. The response & power at low revs is incredible compared to before, no waiting for it to shift down as the power builds it just takes off. This is how I think they all should be, it feels like a silly fast car you have to behave in now. As standard it always felt like you had to ask it to go, it went like stink when asked but it had a sensation of sensibility about it in normal driving. I can understand why Jag didn't build them like this though, too many bad drivers with money who'd have wrecked them quite quickly.
An added bonus is it's reduced the exhaust drone I had, it pulls so much harder I'm not using enough throttle to make it drone at normal traffic speeds. Which is an unexpected bonus from this work.
I'd say power & response at 2k rpm is what I used to get around 3.5-4k rpm. It's brilliant & made me chuckle several times. No idea how much faster it is yet, I booted it to kickdown at 70mph & all that happened was it twitched & the TC light came up instantly as the rear tyres broke traction. Considering it was an almost dry road in 7c temps, I'm impressed & yes it's running decent Goodyear tyres.
Got a 200mile road trip to Whitby over the Yorkshire Moors tomorrow, so I'll get to know it better then.
Very nice. They probably knocked the crank sensor- it's underneath and easy to knock and break the mounting ear off.
No bad thing because it's in a very exposed position but difficult to get to so a new one isn't a bad thing to have.
Sounds like you've got the correct amount of torque now. Watch out. It's addictive.
It is a great day when we see our fellow Jaguar owners fall more in love with these cars.
Remembering the days of 454 SS Chevelles and LT1 SS Camaros, brought me back to
the constant maintenance they required. I have all the power, grace, and handling that
I require, however it is wonderful to know one of our friends now has the power he wanted.
Took the deck lid inside cover off. One of the lights has fallen out.
Glued the lamp holders back in. That's now setting, going to be the next few hours before the paperclips can come off.
Might find some LEDs for these, something brighter but less hot running.
I started the car up yesterday and today and until there's a bit of heat in the engine (2-3 minutes of running) it's got a misfire. Going to start with plugs because hey, I have no idea their provenance.
That and I need to change the alternator. This one got a failed or failing diode by the looks of it.
Plugs: The best ones at your neighborhood parts store: I like Denso.
Alternator: Take the car to a local starter/alternator shop: cost very little more and not worth the aggravation. Moreover, they guarantee the work and rebuilt unit.
Elsewhere in this forum I have told the story of struggling to get a bolt loose on F35063 to switch it with a unit from Advance Auto Parts. Frustrated, I ran it up to a local starter/alternator rebuilder. With wife following and bringing me home, the cell phone rings as we pull into our driveway: "Jags ready." Took the replacement back to Advance to get my money back: got back $35 less than what I was charged by the pro! My ****ing knuckles are worth more than that . . . .
Its difficult to get gas into my 2002 xj8. Gasoline erupts from the filler or the pump clicks off, even at very slow flow. I can fill about a quarter tank at a time.
Research suggests obstruction at the vent at the very end of the system. (mine is rusty and the vent holes appear open) or the ccv valve stuck closed. Both situations will obstruct tank air / vapors exiting the tank.
Evidently this is pretty common as there's A service bulletin about it.
As a diagnostic, I disconnected the down pipe from the tank at the first charcoal canister to allow the tank to vent. I gonna to add gas tomorrow and see how it goes.
Has anyone had this problem? Is my approach sound?
Ethanol free doesn't usually froth up like that but in general all I've been able to do is find a fuel brand/station that does it the least.
My new pickup truck had a recall to try and prevent it happening, it's a common issue.
Last edited by Philip_A; Dec 11, 2025 at 06:42 AM.
With the down pipe from the tank to first charcoal cannister disconnected gasoline flowed right in.
Which to me suggests a downstream obstruction preventing tank air / vapors from escaping during filling, exacerbated by foamy winter blend gasoline.
I;m going to reattach the down pipe and disconnect at the canisters then at the vent valve , then the end vented cap, in series, then fill up, to track down the obstruction. ?
Maybe push compressed air through. (just occurred to me). 1999 Vanden BTW
With the down pipe from the tank to first charcoal cannister disconnected gasoline flowed right in.
I had the other problem, the tank couldn't breathe in. If you follow that hose to the highest point inside the rear wheel there's a black plastic valve that looks a bit like a UFO. In theory it controls the breather somehow but despite seeming ok mine was jamming in one direction. If you carefully unclip the lid you can take the gubbins out of it (it's a diaphragm & spring) then it breathes straight through the valve & the system looks complete for any inspections.
Today I finally sorted out the engine number pickle that I had with the parts store. Now timing chain kit and other spare parts are finally coming to me.
Brake judder fixed today. Just needed a quick strip & clean of the front brakes, I knew what it'd be & I was right. The pads had stuck to the carriers & the sliding pins for the callipers had half seized. That's what happens when you do drive in bad weather but don't use it regularly.
Hoolie, Is the "UFO" looking part you refer to the part I have marked in yellow?
I disconnected the line I have marked in green. I've driven 400 miles or so and easily filled the tank several times.
To my surprise, the check engine light has NOT illuminated (with the hose still disconnected) I don't get that.
I suspect obstructed charcoal filters, the valve #8 in the diagram (ccv)?, or the end of the system vent Hoolie i think is referring to. (exacerbated by foamy winter blend gasoline, as I had no problems in the summer months)
