Good morning ken! How, wonderful, a fellow cat lover from Australia!

Splendid machine, yours! Mine is already having the ZF steering rack serviced and should be ready after tomorrow. The estimate is 550€ (if the pump is working) for a complete overhaul of all the internals of the ZF steering rack and replacing all the hoses.

 

Great to hear, and this is the nub of Greg's mantra of one entire system at a time . . . subject, of course, to not repeating tasks that can be done simultaneously . . . keeping it simple, one system at a time, is the key to staying on top and enjoying the experience.

With gurus like Greg in France and Grant in Oz, you have an excellent support base here, and we all thrive on the excitement of an enthusiast who brings another of our favourite beasts into the fold. I look forward to your pics in due course.

Very best wishes,
Ken

 

Thank you for your encouragement. One system at a time has been my mantra for years too. Even if hoses or other accessories are fit, they have "lived" and it is merely rational to expect their "departure". It is moronic to save money on hoses, accessories, etc, as, usually, these represent only a percentage of the cost and usually, a smaller one.

Perhaps you can point me in his direction? I am looking for a Jaguar specialist south of Rome. Unfortunately all those I engage take advantage of the looks of the car to ask prices that are above market rates when, as I have been told, most systems in the engine bay are quite ordinary.

 

Sorry, Ascanio, I cannot help with specialists in Italy. Free diagnosis and lunch though, chez nous, in Burgundy, if you fancy a chat on your way to England!

 

Hi Tommaso
I've had my 1984 Jaguar Vanden Plas H.E. since 1993. I understand that after around 1983, the VdP model as a trim level of the Double Six was dropped, and became the substitute for Daimler in countries where the Daimler name could not be used by Jaguar. This was due to conflict with Daimler-Chrysler (Mercedes-Benz). In UK the Double Six got all the VdP options and became top of the line. In the other countries where there were problems with Daimler, such as the USA, Canada, Middle East etc, the cars became Jaguar Vanden Plas for the six, and with H.E. for the twelve.
My car was originally sold in the Sultanate of Oman, but was imported to New Zealand in 1986 and converted to right hand drive, which is quite easy. Its VIN number is SAJJDRLW4CC378695, so you can decode that if you like.

Regards
Pete

 

Slight misunderstanding . . . the two gurus I spoke of are [Grant Francis] and [Greg in France] who are both enthusiast members of these forums and have both contributed and been following your thread here. Between them, I reckon they know more about the V12 than most, and here is where I can give you a good tip that some overlook . . .

While the v12 occupied relatively few XJ / Daimler including our glorious VDPs, they dominated in the XJ-S / XJS models. Check out that forum for their many contributions on engine matters that will apply to your beastie also.

Caio,
Ken

 

Good morning Greg,

Unfortunately I have come to the conclusion that my Daimler will require work before it can do a safe trip. I have to, therefore, postpone my idea of a road trip to the UK.

I will start with a complete overhaul of 4 systems:
1. steering (pressure hoses, pump and rack),
2. cooling (pump, thermostatic valve and radiator),
3. AC (compressor, filter, radiator, expansion valve and pressure hoses),
4. high pressure fuel system overhaul

I have been quoted 1,000€ for the labour to work on these 4 systems but the workshop is uncomfortable with sourcing the parts so I am now looking for the parts.

AC:
I found an AC system supplier in Italy that offers a Senders compressor and Behr condensers at 700€ including high pressure hoses, filter and expansion valve but wait times are too long. Another offer was from a famous Classic car restorer (Roberto Menegatto in Florence) who offered a complete system in alluminium, with a US compressor, for 750€ but, again, only in September. The only supplier that would deliver was a UK firm (Fen Air) that initially offered a system for 1,000 GBP (which is quite expensive compared to other offers in Italy) but when I emailed him, asking if he could guarantee outlet temperatures, he wrote back a rambling email refusing to sell his system because I mentioned that in Italy we can find R12 suppliers and we have cowboys installers, and the like... my hunch is that this Fen Air guy understood that his system may not perform under harsh conditions with very high temperatures and prefers not to be put to the test.

Fuel lines:
Menegatto in Florence recommended a kit from the UK for 90 GBP (MR Injectors) but I am open to other suggestions.

Cooling:
This is simple, as radiator, pump and valve are readily available. Hoses should not be a problem.

Steering rack:
I cannot find the high pressure pipes but I have found the steering rack here . I also found two specialist in my town that will refurbish the rack for around 400€.

I am open to advice!

Tommaso

 

Ciao Pete!

Thank you. Your information helps to understand my original thread question.

 

Thank you Ken.

Now I understand my misunderstanding. I replied to Greg who, in the meantime, very kindly, had already posted a reply. I must admit that this Jaguar forum is, really, truly, helpful and active. It is even more active than the RREC forum (where one has to also pay 120GBP to join). More important the help I ma being offered is useful, to the point and very specific. I am very pleasantly surprised.

Thank you to all members and thank you to the main moderator who should be very proud of what he started.

Tommaso

 

If possible have new hoses/pipes made locally. The hoses often sold nowadays are a different configuration that, in my experience, fit poorly.

Here in the 'States, at least, most any large town will have specialist companies catering to farming, industrial, and heavy truck customers. They can make up new hoses for you. They'll typically use the existing metal fittings but that's OK....as they have all the right bends and twists.

Google "Forklift repair" (for example) to get headed in the right direction.

Cheers
DD

 

Make sure your workshop is familiar with the cooling system bleed procedure for the V12. If not bled properly the system simply won't work......and all their efforts (and all your money!) will be wasted.

Getting the correct thermostats is also essential. Not all replacements are the correct configuration for the Jag V12. Specifically, the length of the thermostat is critical. There have been several discussion on this topic which you'll find in the archives.

Cheers
DD

 

Thank you for your advice, Doug, and good afternoon.

I would like to open a conversation concerning high pressure hoses. There are four or five specialists who only make high pressure hoses and local mechanics swear by them. However, RREC forum members and experts recommend AGAINST having high pressure hoses made locally and insist on specialized resellers as Introcars, etc if original can no longer be found. What is the opinion of the Jaguar experts on this forum? It would save me a lot of money so I would be inclined to go along with your advice ... but ... I prefer to do things once and not regret the job done the first time.

Can you please link me to the best thread where the process is explained?

[QUOTE]
Getting the correct thermostats is also essential. Not all replacements are the correct configuration for the Jag V12. Specifically, the length of the thermostat is critical. There have been several discussion on this topic which you'll find in the archives[QUOTE]
Again, would you kindly link me as a quick forum search returned many threads on these matters and the appropriate one may not necessarily be the longest one.
Again, thank you for your help!

Tommaso

 

Is anyone aware of companies that sell Jaguar parts. specifically:

(i) cooling system
> radiator
> thermostatic valve
> pump

(ii) air conditioning
> Compressor R134a
> Filter R134a
> Expansion valve R134a
> Condenser (aluminium, not bronze)
> high pressure hoses and brackets ready made that will fit (not FEN AIR - the guy does not inspire me confidence)

(iii) Power steering
> Steering rack
> high pressure hoses
> pump

(iv) high pressure fuel system
> high pressure fuel lines complete kit

Thank you in advance for recommendations. Tommaso

 

For most service items, such as steering pipes and hoses, if you can't find them or have them made up locally, I'd call SNG Barratt.

For the cooling system, I found that in very hot weather, when driving uphill at low speed, my engine was getting very hot. As the radiator had been in place for 20 years, I've swapped it for an AliCool with a pair of electric fans (they should shift more air at low engine speed than the engine driven one). I've not yet tested how well it works. Try to avoid Bar's Leaks whatever the service manual may say. It's a disaster. If a Jaguar mechanic insists, tell him you don't want it. Certainly, it should never be used more than once (after a major rebuild). Never let an aluminium engine overheat! And if a hose bursts, stop absolutely immediately (with account for safety). I'd also say follow Rolls-Royce policy and change all the water hoses every five years (certainly no loner than ten) even if they look fine as it's not worth the risk of one bursting.

The fuel system can be a pain, especially if the car has been standing outside a long time without much use. Rain water (in southern Italy, rain water with a lot of sand in it) can enter the fuel tanks and cause corrosion. Rust and sand is a huge problem in blocking the fuel pump, tank change over valves and injectors. Worse still, it's extremely difficult to flush out of the system - we tried very hard. I had both tanks and the fuel lines replaced by a mechanic in Italy. For the fuel lines, he used armoured flexible pipe for much of it to make fitting easier. I then ran the car for a few hundred miles. Later, back in the UK we replaced the pump, all the change over valves, filters and had the injectors cleaned. Surprisingly, even after all the other flushing and replacement, we still found sediment in the filters on the injectors!

My air con is still original equipment apart from the refrigerant. It's not the greatest system in the world as it takes a while longer than some, especially more modern ones, to bring the interior temperature down. However, once it has, it's a very pleasant system and has worked for me in Houston, TX and through Italy.

It's good to read all you can from this website including the XJS section. Jag Lovers also has a good forum, though not as nicely set out. Find the Jaguar service manuals for the series 3 cars and for the XJS.

 

Thank you Peter, useful advice. I see that we own the same car!

I hope that I have no head leaks and will not need Bar's Leaks! But overheating is a problem on my car. I tested it in traffic and found that it quickly run between 110°C and 120°C so I stopped the car and got into a taxi home. Then returned after lunch and took the car back home. I am looking for a specialist in Italy to do a complete cooling system overhaul. I am waiting for Doug to post the procedure for the correct system flush.

For the high pressure fuel lines I am thinking of asking MR Injectors to do a complete rebuild at 650GBP. Shipping may be a challenge as these retards that run the EU are children trying to get revenge and make a point of obstructing normal business with the UK. We will see...

Air con! This is the biggest challenge! I found a few systems in Italy around 700€ and one in the UK (Fen Air). The former won't deliver until September and the latter does not inspire me confidence as he seemed somewhat unsure of his system performances and found excuses to not ship to me.

I will check SNG Barratt! Thanks!

Tommaso

 

I suspect, but am by no means certain, that Jaguar originally advised the Bar's Leaks to prevent water leaks past the wet liner into the sump. Why, I don't know. Possibly, it was a problem in some contemporary wet liner engine. To be fair, I think that Bar's Leaks had a different formulation 50 years ago. Shouldn't have written that; it's made me feel very old.

 

Why do they object to having hoses made locally? Just wondering.


I've always had good luck with locally made hoses. First, I know they'll fit. Second, I usually save quite a bit of money. Third, less wait time.



Here's one link to the bleed procedure. Different owners have their own slight variations of the same basic process.

https://www.jaguarforums.com/forum/x...system-125206/

Also, go the the XJS section and look at the top 'sticky thread' section. There are numerous articles (including very good cooling system information) written by Grant Francis that a V12 owner will find very useful

Cheers
DD

 

Thank you

Thank you will do right now.

Tommaso

 

I am hoping not to have to rebuild the engine or the heads. If I have to, I will do that instead of using Bar's Leak. But I remember a solution that one could add to a coolant sample to determine if one had a blown gasket. Does any one remember what it was?

Tommaso

 

Silly question but... why would the XJ12/Double Six V12 engine section be under XJS and not the other way around? After all the XJS received the V12 after the XJ12 ... only wondering...