Hey all,

I was just given a free 1990 Jaguar Sovereign 4.0L...thought it was an XJ6, but from what I've read it sounds like it is an XJ40. It has 85k miles and the body/interior is in really nice shape. My elderly aunt owned it and when it wouldn't start three years ago, she parked it and bought a new car. It had new brakes, a recent plugs/wires, full dealer service, etc, several months before it didn't start (she said it wouldn't crank/turn over so she parked it). Hoping it just needs a new battery, however I won't know until I pick it up next week.

I want to try to increase the chances it will start/fire in case I'm lucky and it is a simple battery issue. Since it has been sitting outside in So Cal, I'm planning to trailer it home and then:

-remove/replace the gasoline (with Heat additive probably)
-clear fuel line
-change oil/filter
-check all fluids (tranny fluid/coolant looks fine) and replace if needed
-replace fuel filters
-install new battery
-have plugs on hand in case they're fubared
-try to fire it up

Any other suggestions (aside from having a fire extinquisher ready)? I'm mostly concerned about the old gas as I've read moisture/rust can be an issue with this car. Thanks for the help and pics will follow when I pick it up next week!

Other question just popped into my head - where is a good place online to find inexpensive (if such a thing exists) plugs/fuel filters/Jaguar parts?

Thanks,
Kevbo

 

Hi Kevbo, welcome to the forums, and congratulations on a nice inheritance! The car is correctly designated an XJ6, but XJ40 is an "inside-Jaguar" term to refer to that model during the 86-94 (US). The '90 Sovereign is a nice car, and relatively easy for the DIY-inclined owner to maintain and repair. You can find online guides on these forums (XJ40 - Jaguar Forums - Jaguar Enthusiasts Forum) and even Hayne's has repair manuals for those model years.

You'll be able to find most regular maintenance items, such as plugs and filters, at your local auto parts store. For specialty items my first call is always this place in Atlanta, GA: Land Rover Parts | Jaguar Parts | Coventry West, Inc. or ebay, although there are several other Jag specialists around who probably do just as good a job.

Let us know how it goes!

 

What a cool thing to get for free! My mother in law has told me for years that she's going to give me her Jag when she stops driving - she's 89 and still driving! I might get it next year since she said that she won't drive past 90. In the meantime I have my own Jag and if I get hers, I'll have two!

 

Hi Kevbo, and welcome:
First off, congrats on the car. It may just end up being the most expensive free car you'll ever receive! Actually, there's lots of support for the ownership of such a vehicle; and if you're willing to do your homework, problems can certainly be resolved.

So, if the car won't even crank, that's one thing. If it cranks but won't start, that's another. These cars are sensitive to having a good battery with a good charge. I'd start there, and see how it goes.

Let us know! Cheers,
Scott

 

Welcome, you are lucky to get such a valuable stuff for free lol
You can also try these
Jaguar Parts, New and Used Jaguar auto parts, XJ6, XJS, XJ8, XJ40, XK8, S-TYPE and X-TYPE Jaguar car parts
Jaguar Parts, Land Rover Parts, All British Car Parts Specialists

 

congrats on the car!

GO BUY A HAYNES MANUAL

I have had 3 xj40/xj6's and i have an obsession with them

as for getting the old cat started i would go about it in this order

(1) drain the fuel (look at the old fuel if you can chances are it will smell sweet old gas does... but see if there are any particles in it this could mean new injectors and cleaning your lines and injectors.

(2) change the fuel filter (easy task on these cars)

(3) Make sure you have a good battery. (I would go ahead and buy a new one)

(4) disconnect the fuel line going into the rail on the back side of the ingine and have a friend turn it to the on position (Fuel should squirt out)

If fuel does not come out CHECK YOUR FUEL PUMP RELAY!!!!! the hella relays in these cars have caused lots of parts being bought for no reason. test the relay... in your year i believe its loacted under the hood on the passenger side of the engine compartment next to the firewall... not sure though.

If your relay is good go check all fuses in relation to the fuel system
if you still are not getting fuel to the rail go to the pump and make sure you have voltage to the pump.

If you are getting fuel next you need to check spark.

do this by pulling a plug and wire and grounding the plug and having a friend turn the car over. you should see a spark (BE carefull!! those suckers can bite the hell out of ya)

if you do not have spark test your coil. then make sure your coil has a good connection to your distributor.

This should get you in the pointed in the rite direction.

Chances are its a bad relay or fuse. look at the simple things first the relay is only 6 dollars

my money, giving how you describe it is either on

#1 Fuel Pump Relay
#2 Coil, Coil wire to distributor.
#4 Fuel Pump

Also it would be a good idea to turn the Car on and check the trouble codes on the VCM this is very easy.

Good luck and keep us posted

These are great cars one of the best ever made in my opionion!! dont let mechanics and mouth breathers tell you that there SOOOOO expensive and not reliable... This is not true JAG built the hell out of these cars and if you love it it will love you.

 

Congrats on the free car.

Looks to be good sound advice from Lewis too, thanks.

 

Thanks everyone and I'm planning to follow Lewis' advice. I've been reading alot about these cars the past couple of days and they sound more robust than I originally thought. Looking forward to getting her running again!

 

Someone recently posted a diagram for finding the fuel pump relay on XJ40s. I can't find the post now, but remember that on a 1990 Sovereign, it is located somewhere behind the glove box inside the car.

 

Congratulations. Sounds great and shouldn't cost you much more than a new battery ....... and perhaps fresh fuel if its been sitting ages.
I've scored a few free cars over the years, the most recent being a SAAB 900 turbo a few years ago (he owed me a small amount of money) ............ unfortunately he owed someone else money and before I could pick the car up they took the value of the debt and a bit more out on the car. Oh well ....... poo happens.

 

leigh898, the 900 turbo was a good car. Too bad it didn't work out.

 

You will soon find out there no such thing as a "free" Jag. Welcome to the club.