Looked at 95 4.0 coupe yesterday that gave me a "head scratchers". Odometer and Carfax show 45K+ miles. After starting the car I noticed oil pressure gauge showing @20lbs steady. Car is seldomly driven by current owner, but when questioned he replied "that's what it has shown for the years I've owned it". My 93 4.0 always runs @40lbs. and has 210K miles. With documented mileage the 20lbs throws a red flag for me. Question is SHOULD IT?
As a sidebar, the engine bay was filthy and the black paint was totally shot, needing a complete re-spray, and the front seats were recently re-covered. Sumthin don't feel right. Anyone think I should walk away?

Dave in AZ

 

Dave,

Do you mean it's showing 2 bar on the gauge ie 29 psi? Or do you mean its actually showing 20psi ie 1.5 bar on the gauge?

The correct oil pressure on the AJ16 is relatively low. Jaguar quotes 2.75 bar at 2000rpm

If it's sitting at 2 bar on the gauge, almost constantly, it's very likely that it's had the replacement sender fitted and is slightly under-reading. (minor gauges on late XJS are notorious for low readings due to poor earths)

In response to complaints from many US owners that the gauge fluctuated (which is entirely normal!) Jaguar introduced a replacement sender which effectively pegs the gauge at about 2 bar, irrespective of whether the pressure is fluctuating (unless it drops dangerously low). Many of the original senders were changed under warranty for the new unit and Jaguar discontinued the original genuine variable sender unit. Annoyingly, the new unit has the same part number as the original unit.

Cheers

Paul