Hello, my name is Ross and I’m from Pa and I just wanted to introduce myself and show you my new to me 1991 XJS V12.

 

Looks fantastic! Make sure you aware of the marelli meltdown and service your distributor!!!

 

Beautiful car. Welcome!

 

[QUOTE=Vee;2570052]Looks fantastic! Make sure you aware of the marelli meltdown and service your distributor!!![/QUOTE

Thanks! All done already with receipts

 

Thats how you make an entrance. Short intro, teaser pic and let the dice roll. Awesome car!

 

thanks

 

[QUOTE=WatchGuy;2570058]Now you're aware of the recommended annual service then? This is the one weak point on this engine. Easy to maintain this distributor, catastrophic if ignored.

 

[QUOTE=Vee;2570205]that I’m not aware of, please tell me more.

 

Read up on the distributor shaft and rotor modifications to help alleviate the problems associated with the substandard aftermarket caps and rotors available for the V12s. You can always pay up for a genuine new old stock cap and not worry about the issue like I did, but be prepared for sticker shock when you see the price of a NOS Distributor. Let's just say the same distributor and its associated cap was used by Lamborghini and Ferrari in their V12 cars.

 

got it! The person I purchased the car from was the original owner and I’ve got receipts from day one he was an engineer by trade and kept this car in a condition like I’ve never seen. I immediately after purchase took it to my mechanic who specializes in these cars and was simply amazed by its condition. This car retains it’s original paint and there is not a speck of rust anywhere on it. Here’s a copy of its most recent service and a picture of the engine bay. I plan on keeping this car and adding it to my newly small collection of cars. I appreciate the help.

 

Greetings!
Oh my......... that is a sight to behold.
Beautiful! Well done!

 

Hi Watch Guy

The V12 Engine in a Marelli XJS is like 2 X 6 Cylinder Engines joined together, where underneath the Dizzy Cap is what they call a 'Stepped Rotor' where the Top Half operates 'A' Bank and the Lower Half operates 'B' Bank

Most normally due to poor maintenance like Not Changing the 2 X Spark Plugs underneath the Air Con Motor because they are so hard to get to, or even faulty Plug Leads, the Rotor in the Distributor Cap can Short out and start to burn through the Dizzy Cap

This can leave the Engine just running on one Bank of Cylinders, which apart from a sudden decrease in Power, is so smooth you may not even notice it at first, although both Banks are still getting Petrol, even though one of those Banks is no longer running

Which can then cause a build up of Raw Petrol in the Muffler of the Bank that is no longer running, which can then result in your Car catching fire, in a very big way, which is known as a Marelli Fire!

So if your Car ever loses Power for no apparent reason, don't attempt to drive it home on 6 Cylinders and always Carry a Fire Extinguisher as part of your Tool Kit, just in case the Worst Happens!

Especially if your Car is fitted with 'Cats' which can glow Red Hot and then ignite that Raw Petrol

Changing the Spark Plugs under the Air Con Motor To try and prevent a Marelli Fire

Alex

 

First time I have heard this story of events
Makes a good case for “Replacement Cost” insurance

 

This is a very common failure of the v12s....for those who don't know what to do. Owners who are aware of this issue take the few minutes of maintenance annually to ensure it does not happen to them. Even so, v12 owners should be aware of the symptoms and immediately turn the car off if in doubt.

Six cylinder owners do not share this problem at all.

 

would you be kind enough to describe the yearly few minutes of service you mention in your reply. Thanks

 

https://www.jaguarforums.com/forum/x...-131142/page2/

https://www.jaguarforums.com/forum/x...-issue-150599/

https://www.jag-lovers.org/books/xj-s/05-Marelli.html

I do not have the v12, but over the years I have read that an annual reapplication of silicone is what needs to be done. Would probably recommend carrying a spare distributor (with the required tools to replace one) in the trunk as well, should things ever go sideways in the middle of a drive.

 

thank you!

 

If you start a new thread with How do I avoid Marelli Meltdown, or something like that, you might attract plenty of first hand advice.