Hey! I got a 88 Jaguar XJS Hess & Eisenhardt that my grandpa had left me. It was the last car we were working on before he died and I just decided to get her going again. She seems to run well enough but had some old gas go through it. I figured I need to change the oil and spark plugs. Anything else I need to do? I also need a website to buy parts from relatively inexpensive. College doesn't leave much money to spend on my car. :/

 

Hi Cody!
First of all, congrats on keeping that heirloom. With care you'll be able to enjoy it for many years to come.
Now, secondly, you need to scroll a little further down to the XJS model section XJS - Jaguar Forums - Jaguar Enthusiasts Forum
You'll find lots of members in various stages of repairs and modifications of their XJS. When you post, include as much info on the car as you can. Miles, how long it's been sitting, etc.
You should also put the year and make in your signature. It's easy. Go to the top left of your screen and click on "user CP" (in the black line across top)
Welcome to the forum!

 

How long has is been sitting unused? Just wondering.

Fresh oil, gas, and spark plugs are a good start.

At minimum, for safety's sake, I would also 1) change all the underhood fuel hoses if they are more than 5 years old (or unknown age) 2) flush the brake fluid 3) give the brakes, steering, and suspension a good visual inspection.

Quite possibly there are many other things that need repair or servicing....that's just the way it usually is with 25 y/o Jags.

If you don't mind me asking, what's your skill and experience level with DIY car repairs? If you're at the "fundamentals" stage, the V12 XJS isn't the best car for learning...lots of quirks. But many here will be happy to help.

Many mechanical/service parts are available at your regular neighborhood parts store although it might take a day or two for orders to come thru. Don't expect most stores to have anything "on the shelf". Coventry West, Motorcars Ltd., Welsh Jaguar are just three of many good specialists for Jag parts.

Cheers
DD

 

The jag has 75000 original miles, Its probably been sitting for 4 or 5 years. Itll run fairly smooth but im still not willing to take it over 70 miles an hour sense its been sitting so long. Yes it's the v12 and the Hess and Eisenhardt has the split fuel tank so I figure this will be difficult. Thank you for your help I greatly appreciate it!

 

Also how do you get to the spark plugs on a 88 xjs?

 

Your Jaguar initiation ceremony! Best to set aside 2 days and take it steadily. The following is a long but 'easy' way which I believe stands the smallest chance of breaking something. Once you have done it, you may find your own shortcuts.

1. Unbolt aircon compressor and with a friend move it forward/lift it so you can see the first 2 plugs
2. Carefully undo cruise control bellows and move aside
3. Label HT leads A1, B1 etc etc. and pull them off the plugs (using long plug boot puller-type pliers if needed)
4. Undo dizzy cap (three screws equally spaced round the edge) mark one screw so you know the cap orientation, and move aside complete with HT leads
5. Throttle capstan tower and capstan. If this is removed it makes the job very easy from then on. BUT it is hard to get to the 7/16th bolts that secure the tower to the valley floor. Pop off the throttle actuating rods, unhook the throttle cable from the capstan. If you can undo them, do. Carefully mark where the wires go on the coil, as these will have to be removed with the capstan tower. A selection of short spanners /bent spanners is good for this task. Do not be afraid to make special tools to do this job. If you just cannot get it loose, a good quality 3/8 inch socket-drive universal joint on the end of a long extension is normallly needed to get on the plugs
6. The danger of leaving the capstan in place is that you will not get straight onto the plug, then although the plug will come out, the insulation porcelain will shatter and pieces end up on the combustion chamber. You will hear it ping/click if this happens. If it does, do not loosen the plug any further; but blow out the plug well with compressed air until you are sure all the broken bits are out of the well.
7. Once the V is clear, taking out the plugs is reasonably easy, but care is still specially needed with the plugs closest to the dizzy to avoid cracking the porcelain/dizzy body.

Expect the plugs to be very well stuck into their threads. I change mine every year, and put anti seize on the new ones, and they still take a 2 foot bar on the tools to initially 'crack' them. Only a touch more than finger tight for the new plugs, gapped to 25 thou.

The Great K Palm's book is very good indeed on dizzy maintenance, so do go through all his stuff to check/maintain while the V is open, including the vac capsule, which is highly likely to be toasted. No vac capsule ruins fuel consumption by about 20%.