(Repost from a General Section)

Hello everybody,

I'm a new member and posted my introduction into the new membersection.
I just bought a *1989 Jaguar XJS12* in flawlesscondition. Itis new pearl white paint and loaded with options.

(For those of you that care not to read: I'm just looking for heads-up on what to look for before its too late) PREVENTATIVE MAINTENENCE,
THIS IS MY FIRST JAGUAR!

I don't even know what I have here. This is my first Jag and I only have experience with 1990's BMW 5 series cars. My forte' ismotorcycles.
I collect, restore, and ride many bikes. My favorite brand is Triumph from England.

Besides the look of my new Jag, I thought it would be appropriate to buy a British car to add to my toy collection. I drive a new Dodge Ram. I am not a car mechanic (but very mechanical) so I wanted something in running order that didn't need more then elbow grease to make it perfect. The previous owner put on new tires, a muffler system, and painted it well.

This style Jag is myf avorite because it is "new" enough to have modern conveniences; but old enough to be a Classic. It has Classic Pennsylvania tags that I am transferring into my name.

1. Can someone tell me more about the car's history. I'd like to know when this body style started, how long it lasted,
2. and if the "S" in XJS12 means anything.
3. What option package do I have, if any?

It has tan leather seats that are heated, 12 cylinders, a radar detector, fog lamps, spoke wheels, and came with ALL manuals, paper work, jack stand, extra spokewheel (Spare), and steering wheel. it even has the fog light covers. The carpet is flawless and the leather is without a single scratch. There is an aftermarket wood/aluminum steering wheel and the original is in the trunk. It has the wooden shifter too!

4. Are the steering wheel, shifter, and fog lites Jaguar accessories?

The car was well cared for and doesn’t need any work except to balance the new front tires and/or wheels. The seller said they were properly balanced but the car may need to have the spokes torqued to balance the front wheels. I haven’t ridden it yet but the owner says it has a 65 mph wobble ever since he put the new tires on it.
5. What to do about the 65mph wooble on newly dressed front wheels?
6. What should I know before I take it out for the first time? It was never used as a everyday car.

I paid off the seller yesterday and it still sits in his garage because I am in the middle of moving. He agreed to hold it for me until I am ready to tag it. When I looked at it yesterday, I opened the passenger side door and the car started making a ticking sound in the front. It sounded like a wood pecker knocking on the inside right front grill. The seller said he would look at it later.

7. Does anyone know what this sound is from? We couldn't turn it off unless the doors were shut. It was coming from a 4"x 4" black box inside the grill, above the bumper.

Thanks for your responces, comments, and advice,

Ray

 

A couple important things:

First, underhood fuel hoses. If there's any doubt on when (if ever) they've been replaced, plan on dong so soon. Twelve hoses to the injectors and 3-4 more that make up the supply and return. Leaky hoses account for most of the V12 engine fires.

The 12 injector hoses can be cut off and new hoses pressed on. The supply and return sections are hose/pipe combinations. The hose can be cut of the pipe and, again, new hose pressed on.

Next, ignition system. About half way thru 1989 model year a change was made from Lucas igntion to Marelli igntion. The change to Marelli was made at about VIN 156xxx. Easy identifers of Marelli are the two square-ish modules mounted abouve the radiator....or the two coil wires going to the center of the distributor cap.

If not maintained the Marelli system can fail and (typically) one entire bank of cylinders goes dead. Raw fuel is then pumped into the converter, overheats the converter to cherry read....and can cause a fire.

Failure can be due to a dead coil or dead module but most commonly is caused by the distributor rotor burning thru. Pop your distributor cap off for an inspection ASAP. If you are ever driving the car and notice a sudden drop in power do not continue driving!

Post back for more details if you have Marelli.

Cheers
DD

 

1975 -1996






"XJS" or "XJ-S" is simply the model name of the car



USA sold XJSs really didn't have any "option packages". All USA cars were built and sold with "standard everything". An exception would be a sunroof.




Fog lights were standard in '89. The wood shifter knobs might've been a bon-fide Jaguar accessory....not sure. But these were available on the aftermarket as well.

I don't believe Jaguar ever offered a wood steering wheel option/accessory. Almost certainly dealer or owner installed.






Dont be so sure A used XJS that doesn't need *any* work would be a very rare beast indeed!

Quote:

except to balance the new front tires and/or wheels. The seller said they were properly balanced but the car may need to have the spokes torqued to balance the front wheels. I haven’t ridden it yet but the owner says it has a 65 mph wobble ever since he put the new tires on it.

You might need to visit a wire wheel specialist.

Wire wheels were specifically not recommended by Jaguar but many sets were dealer or owner installed. Some people have better luck than others with them.

If they're Daytons you might wanna do some research. Many sets (60 spoke, I think) were installed on Jags with not-very-good results. Later Dayton offered a better version (72 spoke, I think).



See my prior post, for starters.





Hmmm. Not ringin' any bells with me. Others will chime in

Cheers and congratulations

DD

 

BTW, ask the seller about the fuel hoses and Marelli ignition system. If he chimes right in on the subjects and tells you what's been done, that's a decent clue that he knew how to take care of an XJS.

If you get a bank stare....he probably didn't.

Cheers
DD

 

Its definetly a Lucas System. Although the car is not in MY garage at this time; that was one of the first things I noticed because older Triumph Motorcycles used a Lucas ignition Coil and electronics. I related to that first off. It was the first thing I noticed when I lifted the hood. I hope I'm good in that department.

As for the fuel hoses....????? I doubt he changed them out because he didn't know too much about this car. He is more into cleaning and maintaining than mechanical systems. He is a family friend that would have told me. But I will ask about the fuel lines anyway....maybe the previous owner did it. They just didn't pop out as looking new when I lifted the hood. Actually I was quite surprised to see so much engine compared to an American car of the same year.

PS: my Vin: 155482

THANK YOU VERY MUCH DOUG, YOUR INPUT IS GREAT!

ADDITIONAL COMMENTS ARE VERY WELCOME !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

Doug,

Body style years are important to me in case I need something in the future on the body.

I will definetly change out the fuel hoses if it isnt too complicated. I suppose there is a special rubber hosing for heated areas of a car. I will research where to get a roll of it. Do you reccommend a on-line store to get me started? I thought the fuel lines had special factory pinched nipples and fittings that were going to be hard to find.

Obviously, I have a lot to learn but I'm not affraid!!! I know how to use the "Search Forum Tool" but I didnt have any time to fool around. I hope you don't mind my cheating by asking these questions without searching.......

With the help of many people on this forum, I'm sure I can get many trouble free miles from this car................

After I actually take possession of the car, I will be posting like a mad man.... lol !

 

Congratulations on your car. Post some pictures for us to see!

My V12 experience is on a E type, same engine minus fuel injection, carb only. I would follow the advise given already and add that the "Lutz" modification to the cooling system (harder for the FI XJS's) is also IMO a must to keep the cars cool.

That and get one or two fire extinguishers to carry around!!

 

[QUOTE=Rayzor61;832486]Doug,


You have "pre-facelift" XJS



The hose itself is regualar fuel injection grade fuel hose. Nothing exotic. Your local parts store has it. Avoid the Goodyear hose with the blue inner lining. Known to leak.

Hoses to the injectors themselves can be simply cut off. New hose is simply pushed onto the nipples.

The supply and return lines are hose/pipe combinations with crimped fittings. Here again, though, the hose and crimps can be cut away and new hose pushed onto the barbed fittings. Or.....you can spend about $300-400 for factory replacment assemblies. Ouch!!

You'll want new "ferrules" for the hoses....the little cups that fit over the cut ends of the hsoes. You can get them here:

Jaguar Fuel Injector Service

In fact, if you like one-stop shopping, you can get everything you need in one phone call to David at the above company. Great service.



Cheers
DD

 

Start reading this, about 600 pages.

Experience in a Book

It has info that you'll never find in any of the Jaguar manuals.

Cheers
DD

 

738 to be exact....................I think I just downloaded the same book, Also know as the Kirby Palm Bible for Jags?

If so, thank you, it was mentioned in another post from another new owner...

...this is fun so far....

Thanx for being eager to help >

 

Hi Guys,

Congrats Ray on your purchase... One question.

How do you replace all the fuel lines on this car? Not sure if Ray is planning this, but I also just purchased an XJS. Doug states just to cut them off but do you have to first remove the whole injector assembly to do it off the car? Or can you just cut, remove and replace them one at a time. I know you would have to release the fuel pressure somehow first. I've done it on other cars but not a Jag XJS. Thanks...

 

Remove the entire fuel rail....hoses, injectors and all....and do the job on your workbench.

Make sure to keep track of the orientation of the injectors and their hold-down plates.

Get new injector-to-manifold seals ahead of time. And new hose end caps as well

Depressurize the fuel rail? Responsible answer is to remove the pump relay and crank the engine several times.

I just wrap one of the fittings with rags and crack the line open. Observe usual precuations regarding spilled gasoline.


Cheers
DD

 

Sounds good, I may tackle that this winter... The hoses on my car still look fine.