I know my XJ burns oil, I can see the nice little blue cloud on start up. And from reading a few posts here and there it seems these cars are bad for the valve seals leaking.

I haven't bothered to actually check the consumption too closely, I just check the oil and add as needed. Since it holds 8+ quarts being shy a quart wont kill it.

I'm guessing its drinking a quart about every 700 miles and while that's high I doubt I will go after it anytime soon.

I've had cars go 3000 miles without using a drop and then had some that leak/use a quart every 400 miles. Just curious whats typical on these cars?

 

I have replaced the valve stem seals on the 1994 XJ6 dozens of times when I was at the dealer. Most aftermarket insurance companies payed for the repairs and some customers opted to fix the fault at their own expense.

There are 2 ways to do it.
1 Pull the head off and replace the seals on the bench.
2 Replace the seals using compressed air (or the 'rope in the cylinder' trick) to hold the valves closed.

I used to sit like a crossed legged garden gnome on top of the engine to replace the seals when I was at the dealer. Most guys would just pull the head but either way works.

I pulled one cam at a time and reinstalled the head bolts with spacers (Jaguar special tools) to keep the head gasket intact when the air pressure was applied.

I have a valve spring compressor from MAC tools for VW cylinder heads. I made a 'J' hook 'bolt' for the front of the tool and drilled several holes for the spring retainer compressor to get the correct angle on the spring.

You can make adapters for almost any application.

bob gauff

 

Are you saying that most exhaust blue smoke is from bad valve seals?

With the proper tools how long would you expect it would take to replace valve seals/ than multiply that at least by 5 for me...

thanks....

 

Mine is puffing out blue smoke on start up too . I am checking the oil level thru dipstick and oil level seems fine , I see no leak . This is strange to me lol
Another thing may be engine oil level types could be a factor as well . I do use Castrol Edge full synth oil not dyno may be a thicker oil let's say 20W50 being thicker could not escape valve seals ? lol

 

I run 15-40 in mine and it burns it and leaks a little. I'm going to call it excess power from the tailpipe.