Hello everyone, as the title says, I'm a new member and I just purchased my first Jaguar!

I've wanted a XJS ad far back as I can remember, I'm 35 now and a pretty competent mechanic with no actual hands on experience with this platform. Or with any Jaguar for that matter.

I found a great deal on CL ($500) for a 1988, British green, V12 Variant. The owner was willed it 9 years ago when his father died, he didn't even know his father owned the vehicle.

He has done nothing with it but drive it 80 miles home from the shop his father had it at getting some work done on it, he then proceeded to leave it parked in foot tall grass only starting it every few months.

He had it on CL last year for $2,500 and I'd at the time through email (nvr getting to even see the car in person) talked him down to $2000, the day before we were to meet and transfer ownership, he emailed me informing me he received a full price offer and that he was backing it of our deal. :-/

Fast forward a year later (last week) and im cruising CL again and i see his same had, same pictures and now the pruce is $500. He says in the new add he couldn't get out to his friend where it was parked for 3 months and it's now failing to start lol.

So I had it towed 76 miles to my house, I'm here joining the forum and I'm asking you guys where I should begin.

I was thinking I'd start with a complete wash and tune up, then on to all new vacume lines and somehow draining the gas tank, adding new gas before I attempt to fire it up ?

it's a 1988, XJ-S, V12, Bone stock and British green.

Any question or advice would be more then welcome, thanks in advance.

David

 

Welcome to an awesome hobby. You will love this car once it runs right. I have a 1988 British Racing Green XJS that I bought from a retired guy last fall.

Mine sat in a garage for 15 years. The first thing it needed is an overhaul and flush of the cooling system, incl. water pump, all hoses and 26 hose clamps. Now it runs cool at any outside temperature. I also got a few new ignition parts. Next are all fuel lines, since old fuel lines crack and cars catch on fire.

Most importantly, take your time and patienty unveal the engine's secrets. :-)

 

Lookup Kerby Palms xjs experience book. Read it. Its a gem because few other specialty cars have such a guide.

 

Welcome.

When time permits, please do an Intro in the New Members Area.

Awesome car, and pick up.

Fast forward 12 months, and many "strange" words, and you will havea Gem.

As mentioned, start at the front, and work back, replacing any rubberised component, age is now the killer more than use.

Your location will have its own illness's, but that is for those in your area to answer.

Have fun.

 

For that price, you'll be in profit just from selling parts if you can't actually get it to work. That is amazingly cheap. Do please post some pics - it will be interesting to see how it's stood up to being outside for about a decade.

And this is definitely THE place to get advice, especially if you're mechanically adept and can understand what the experts are telling you when they say to inspect the flyover camwheel and reinforce the grommet junction with the bypass auxiliary vent thrust pipe just where the secondary shaft axle contacts the flanged thrombosis....

 

Now you've mad it simple. HAHA.

 

Hi David,


Welcome the world of the XJS and the forum. As said joining the forum is probably the second best thing you did (after buying the car!). You will find some super helpful and knowledgeable guys on here that always seem willing to help.


There are some great free downloads available to help you on your way:


Kirby Palm's very helpful publication:


http://www.jag-lovers.org/xj-s/book/Jaguar.html


I have also found the following a useful source of publications:


http://www.jagdocs.com/
Good luck, hope all goes well and keep us posted of developments.


Cheers,
LeeP