I am considering buying a 1991 xj6 sovereign, two things though. 1) owner has no key(trivial I know, mother in laws car she passed) 2) It hasn't been started in 10 years. It's in Michigan, USA. So other than draining fuel/oil, changing filters gas/oil, plugs, spraying cylinders with wd-40,PB blaster, or such, and a battery, what else should I do before starting it? The cost to me is $500, is it worth the investment? It was garage kept until 2 months ago.

 

Welcome to the forum,

I've moved your post to the relevant tech section for a better response.
Don't forget your intro in the new members section.

 

Welcome to our world.

Norri needs to move this again to the XJ40 section, sorry, but fact.

You have covered the pre-start very well. I would add a squeeze of the radiator hoses, ensuring they are soft and pliable. basically old age is what I am getting at here. Not an issue if you are just starting it to suck and see, but to drive it home is very different.

Brake fluid flush would be high up before driving, as would be the auto trans fluid, and power steer fluid.

Basically ALL the fluids would need flushing prior to any distance running.

Whether its worth it, OF COURSE it is, its a Jag, and I am a tad biased.

 

Job done Grant, I'll figure it out one day!

 

And a new set of tyres before driving it any distance.

Even if they look OK, they are not.

 

Not even sure what to say. I good XJ40 is a dream to own and drive. A neglected one can be a nightmare. If you're handy and like to figure out problems, go for it, I suppose. For a car that needs as much as this, I'd prefer you get it for free. You may end up with a $500 paperweight! My two cents.

Scott

 

Short and simple response. As noted again, if you can do the work on these cars $500 is a steal. There are some many different scenarios I couldn't write them all. You can be assured there will be work that is needed, how much remains a mystery. You need to get it started first, that alone from sitting 10 years is going to cost a minimum $100, from my perspective and that's just in parts. Plugs, oil, belts, battery. Gas needs to be drained as well. To me its a fun project, to someone else a nightmare.

 

The only reason we don't see many XJ40's in the UK is the combination of rain and road salt has dissolved them. In complete contrast, the Australians seem to be able to keep them looking good, rust free and running forever.

If this one has been garaged and not suffering corrosion on the tops of the wings / front of the bonnet or rear lip of the boot (or, in deference to MI, fenders, hood and trunk), it should be a good prospect.

However, you have to want to drive and maintain an older Jaguar. They all take commitment and some money.

Graham

 

Skip the WD40 in the motor.
Remove one plug at a time, pour a tsp of marvel oil in each cylinder.
Use WD40 for the dizzy cap terminals
New gas, oil, and belts will do the trick

 

Maybe it just me, but for $5OO, I would take it and be happy to use it as a paperweight. And maybe a few parts IF it didn't pan out. Key? How about the old light switch and push button set-up instead?
Good luck, Jerry (Michigan City, IN)