This is a few weeks old, but I finally bought a car cover! Kept the Jag clean for 2 weeks while I was on vacation! Especially good since I don't have to clean the Jag every weekend since California has a massive drought going on.

- Pilotman

 

Also, Registered my '01 XJ8 for the All british car show in September! I'm going to spend the day before washing, polishing and waxing in preparation!

( Sorry for the double post, this post was supposed to go into another thread but ended up here somehow. )

 

Well yesterday on my XKR I:

-Changed SC Oil
-Changed Air Filter
-Adjusted Throttle Cable
-Changed transmission fluid and filter

 

I thought it was about time I changed the engine oil and filter....it had been 12 months ;o)
I use a Mighty-Vac vacuum extraction unit to gain access via the dipstick tube
and it retrieves all the oil....all 6 litres of it ;o)
Three years ago, I fitted a remote oil filter installation which is sighted directly
above the right susp. tower near the air filter box which makes life easier for this one eyed old fart ;o)
I use a neo-dymium magnet on the base of the oil filter.
Not sure if it does anything but it has a feel good factor ;o)
I use Penrite HPR5 5W40 full synthetic and OEM filter.
Should be OK for another12 months and engine has covered 214.000klm
and is the original Nikasil linered engine.

 

Inside driver door lock failed to unlock and open with the handle, unless another door, or the locks were manually opened.
Lubed the door lock actuator mechanism, after removing it. Found that it needs to move freely to allow the unlock motor to be engaged.
All fine after a bit of clean and fine oil.

 

Tonight I vacuumed a few places in the Jag, used a quick detailer on the Jag to get rid of the stubborn pollen, and cleaned the tires!

Labour of love!

 

I know al lot of you have purchased items from Mina Gallery. A dumb question? How did you do it? Every time I call I can't get a real person to answer the phone. "Leave a message", they say. Is this a real company? Are they still in business? Maybe they'll read this post and answer the phone.


Sorry, just a little rant. I can live without them but -------!

 

I picked the car up from a garage in Bangkok after failing to get it fixed in phuket: turned out to be a faulty mass air flow sensor. They also changed the transmission oil and installed a new leaper. I'm taking a few days driving back enjoying the trip with the children. Pity the a/c is now iffy!
Silly car but I still love it.

 

I ordered my Mina springs from Ebay

 

Thanks for the responses. I finally got through. Now, I'll see how the lower corner front "grills" fit into the stock items.

 

they arent really good on the customer service front, I just place my orders on the website and you have to be prepared to not be wowed.

A few weeks on they deliver the parts, so I have received everything I have ordered. Just lower your expectations and assume its one guy operating out of his garage who tends to forget that he has customers.

 

Drained, flushed and re-filled the cooling system.

I also replaced the thermostat, nothing wrong with the old one, but for $12 for a new at AutoZone, it is cheap insurance against cooking my aluminum engine.

Swapping the thermostat took 5 minutes too.

The flush and fill and getting all the air out of the system was a 3 hour job, including time to let the engine cool down between runs so I could check the coolant level.

BTW, I built the tool to remove the hex fitting on top of the intercoolers for about $2 in parts from the local hardware store. Great tip.

Good write up with pics below. It is for the XKR, but applies to our cars too.
Vector

 

Nothing to do with Jaguar....all down to the supplier, Bilstein.
Usually green coloured shocks mean 'Comfort', black shocks mean 'Sport' ;o)

 

I found the hex size was the same as the top of some of my spark plug sockets on the top, so I flipped it over, and put the 3/8" 6" extension through the inside of the socket and just used my ratchet. It fits extremely well.

 

Washed, waxed, and showed it off at the family reunion. Ordered some polishing pads so I can give a little more love before the Field of Dreams car show at the end of the month.

 

Replaced a whole headlight glass. Somehow something shattered the glass. It is cool how easily they pop off the mounts and a new lens pops back on. 10 min headlight replacement, no screws required.

 

Great tip, I'll try it next time!
Vector

 

I cleaned the wood work tonight, and used quick detailer to get the stubborn pollen off!

 

Nearside repeater lamp fitting has come out of the amber holder and must have dropped to bottom of space inside the wing. Have tried fishing around with bent clothes hanger to no avail. Would anybody know if there is a simple method of getting to the inner space in order to retrieve it and replace in proper position? Any advice much appreciated.

 

I took our 1999 XJR for a 4550 km cruise to British Columbia. I'm loving this car more and more everyday.