My parents are giving my their old 87 XJ6 for Christmas! True, it's an old car with lots of miles and probably more problems than I know but that aside -- I still think it looks as cool as it did back in the day.

I just need to make sure it will make the 1000 mile trip back home. I was thinking of putting in a new set of plugs before the trip and probably a can of techron. Any recommendations on plugs: NGK, Champion, E3 etc?

Thanks

 

Great car!

Champions are fine. That's what was factory installed, actually.

Don't forget to check ALL fluids and lubricants, hose and belts, etc. Might wanna give it a couple shorter shakedown drives before heading out on a 100 mile trip...especially if the car hasn't been used much recently.

Cheers
DD

 

And check the fuel lines. I took out our XJ6 that had sat for year and was thinking it was running great until I noticed fuel spraying all over the engine. The lines get hard and brittle with heat and age.

 

If it was me, I would do a couple of short trips before the 1000 miler ! If the car has been out of use, it needs checking over for all the safety things like tyres and brakes. A drive of around 50 miles is long enough to show up any problems.

Ask you parents what was the last problem, (if any), and how it was sorted out. I assume they have serviced and maintained the car properly. Any tyres over 10 years old are dodgy, by the way, and could fail on you somewhere on the 1000 miles.

Still, lucky you for getting a Jaguar for free !!

 

Update: The had a good cover of dust on it and a completely dead battery. I replaced the battery and cranked it over for about 60 seconds and it started up. Ran pretty bad for a bit (no oil in the lifters?) but after 5 minutes or so it smoothed out pretty well. Was a little bumpy on the road initially but once the tires warmed up it was fine. Really nice ride just like it was back in the day.

I'm going to get the oil changed today and any other fluids topped up. I'm also going to put in a fresh set if NGK Iridium plugs. Tire pressures are good all the way around. The Pirellis on it look pretty good too. The brakes even work well and the rotors aren't warped.

One problem is that the high beams don't always come on. It seems like there is poor contact somewhere. When they do work, I hear a relay click. Does anyone know where this relay is? Perhaps I can take it out and clean the contacts?

There seems to be something loose in the back parcel shelf around the third brake light. Is there a way to remove the brake light cover so I can see if everything is thight in there?

ps. I'll be taking it on a short trip today to give it a little run before the big trip.

Thanks

 

Headlamp Circuit Checklist

Cheers
DD

 

The Jag made it all the way back home with no troubles. I have to say it really felt good driving 70-80 mph on the interstate.

Now that I have it home, I can take my time and work through issues one at a time until I have it 100%.

ps. I did clean up the headlights fuses and that solved the problem with the high beams.

Thanks to all for the tips. It's been a long time coming but now I finally own a jag. I'll have to update my garage with a pic when I get a chance.

 

Nice, followed an XJ6 yesterday, very rare here. Flashed my lights and all that to try to have a word with the driver.

Complete idiot, I forgot I was driving a Toyota, the bloke must have thought I was nuts!

Yes please on the pics.

 

Sorry it took so long, here's a pic of my *new* Jag.

 

nice lookin car mang!!! it kinda makes me sick to my stomach seeing how sweet it looks w/ the wire wheels.

sick because my wires just came off yesterday.

good luck with your car

 

Yes the wire wheels really make a difference. Back in the day, myfamily had the original 60 spoke wheels that suffered from broken spokes. They then upgraded to the 70 spoke variety 100K miles ago and have had no mechanical issues other than the chrome tarnishing from brake dust and one wheel requiring an inner tube because the seal around the spokes had broken. Someday I hope to clean up the wheels again.