To do or not to do, buying a xjs :)
 

Hello, i'm thinking of buying a xjs convertible overhere in the netherlands. Found a nice example,
http://voorraad.autodatawheelerdelta...jpg?1354031171

Isn't she beautiful? Drives allmost perfect, it will take some time to get used to the tiny throttle pedal ;)
There is only one thing that bothers me. The climat control,
Only hot air came out of the side vents and no air from the center vent. When we looked into the ac there was no pressure at all. Could this be the reason there was no air from the center vents and only hot air from the side vents?
I read some stories on this forum which gave me the idea that this is more then only an ac pressure problem.
Thanks in advance for your input?

Kind regards Rolf

@Rolf

Looks like a nice car. For A/C, unfortunately, the answer is not easy. I have recently recovered an A/C system with a simple can of refrigerant ($30) and another car I have needed $2000 worth of work to get the A/C back.

Here in the US you can get very cheaply and easily cans of refrigerant for low cost. You should buy this and try it in the car. It only takes 10 minutes to try it.

If you get cold air after that, but it's not coming out of the center vent (it's only coming out of the foot vents or windscreen vents) there is another minor failure mechanism to discuss, but first try and get cool air coming out from somewhere first.

In general, A/C is a small issue on XJSes..... there can be lots of other issues much more serious. How much history is there with the car ? Has the car been imported from the US ? What about rust ? Interior condition ?

Beautiful. If the price is right, DO eeeet!

Thanks for your answer. So warm air coming out of the vents is normal if the ac is not working? And to get air coming out of the center vent is most likely a small repair?
The interior of the car is very nice, the headliner from the convertible is dirty and needs relaplacing with a new one. Can this be done without placing a new convertible top?
http://voorraad.autodatawheelerdelta...jpg?1354031170

There is actually no rust to find on the car just 2 small dents. The car is a european car imported from germany in 2003 and had one owner in the netherlands from then. I think there was only one owner in germany.
Lots of bills with the car and some of 2012.
They are willing to sell me the car for 10250€ with two new front tires and refill the ac, no guarantee but i think that is more than reasonable for a 20 year old car.

The interior looks lovely also. Very little wear on the drivers seat.

Someone has taken care of this kitty.

It is technically possible to do the headliner without taking the top off, but it's a real piece of work. I did mine myself. It's kind of like trying to wallpaper the roof of a tent. I would try every cleaning substance known to man on the headliner first before committing to changing it.

Is the car black or that very, very dark red/burgundy colour ?

Thanks again, is there a description somewhere on the internet that you know off how to replace the headliner?

Yes it is that very dark burgundy red, i think even a nicer colour then black.

Super nice!

One thing to watch out with A/C on XJS's is the evaporator. If that is leaking, the whole car has to be taken apart. And it's not cheap.

This is my 95 during evaporator replacement:

https://www.jaguarforums.com/forum/a...ine=1367675747

https://www.jaguarforums.com/forum/a...ine=1367675747

https://www.jaguarforums.com/forum/a...ine=1367675747

Just make sure it isn't the evaporator, and if it is, negotiate the price down accordingly.

Wow:icon_eek::icon_eek:, that looks like an impressive job. Thanks. I will demand a guarantee on the a/c . If they don't give one i will leave the car where it is.

By the way, the colour is moroccan red. Another reason to just buy the car.

@flor

I haven't seen a documented procedure for doing the headliner with the top still on.

One of the other members posted a great set of photos and instructions for doing it with the top off here... https://www.jaguarforums.com/forum/x...acement-91725/

You can imagine how difficult it is with the top on.

Are you planning on trying it yourself ? or are going to ask a trim shop to do it ? I asked 3 shops and they all refused to do it without replacing the outer top also. Now that I have done it myself, I understand why......

@Mark

Those are awesome pictures :-)

Thanks Mark, the idea was to do it myself if i buy the car. The top itself is actually to good to replace. How many hours did it take and was the result at the end to your satisfaction?