Noob, any advise?
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Noob, any advise?
Hello all.
I am in the process of looking at a 89' XJS V12. Two owner car with 67,000 miles. Known issues:
1. Pass door will not open, from inside or outside.
2. AC in-op.
3. Headliner coming undone.
I am currently with 2 other fun cars that I enjoy turning wrenches on, a TR6 and Porsche 928, so I will be more then willing to dig into any issues and deferred maintenance that comes along.
Right now, all I have is pictures and a story.............I plan on seeing the car in person in a week.
Are there any key things that need to be looked at with the XJS?
Beyond the obvious things?
Any advise (besides Run Forest, Run...........)
Thanks!
I am in the process of looking at a 89' XJS V12. Two owner car with 67,000 miles. Known issues:
1. Pass door will not open, from inside or outside.
2. AC in-op.
3. Headliner coming undone.
I am currently with 2 other fun cars that I enjoy turning wrenches on, a TR6 and Porsche 928, so I will be more then willing to dig into any issues and deferred maintenance that comes along.
Right now, all I have is pictures and a story.............I plan on seeing the car in person in a week.
Are there any key things that need to be looked at with the XJS?
Beyond the obvious things?
Any advise (besides Run Forest, Run...........)
Thanks!
Veteran Member
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 25,525
Likes: 11,716
From: Pacific Northwest USA
The Jag V12 engine will last darn near forever...so long as it runs cool. I'll wager that 99% of dead Jag V12s were overheated. So, make sure the cooling system is 100% up-to-snuff. Volumes could be written on the subject but, in a nutshell, if the temp gauge goes past the middle of the "N" you have some work ahead of you.
About 1/2 way thru the '89 model year Jaguar switched from Lucas to Marelli ignition (VIN break apprx 157xxx). The Marelli ignition is responsible for lots of burned up Jags so, if this car has it, plan on new secondary ignition parts ($$$$) just on general principle....unless service records show recent work in that area. Some owners convert to the Lucas ignition which is more reliable. Marelli ignition has two coil wires going into the distributor cap...easy to spot.
Inoperative A/C can be simple....or it can be a huge problem. If the climate control changes modes on command you'll know that the system is fundamentally operational, at least.
The rear brakes are inboard mounted. Changing pads is a breeze but replacing calipers, rotors, and axle seals is labor intensive. Proof of recent work here would be a real "plus".
Check for fuel odor in the trunk. If it smells, brace yourself for some work which may or may not be sucessful.
Plan on replacing the fuel injection hoses if the existing ones are more than 5 years old.
Despite what I've just written these are fabulous cars....about the same performance as the earliest 928s and terrific on the highway. But, they have lots of quirks and many are not well cared for. The usual scenario is to spend a few weekends and a chunk of money catching up on all the repairs and services that the previous owner shrugged off....but it sounds like you're used to that. Once everything is sorted they're a dream
Cheers
DD
About 1/2 way thru the '89 model year Jaguar switched from Lucas to Marelli ignition (VIN break apprx 157xxx). The Marelli ignition is responsible for lots of burned up Jags so, if this car has it, plan on new secondary ignition parts ($$$$) just on general principle....unless service records show recent work in that area. Some owners convert to the Lucas ignition which is more reliable. Marelli ignition has two coil wires going into the distributor cap...easy to spot.
Inoperative A/C can be simple....or it can be a huge problem. If the climate control changes modes on command you'll know that the system is fundamentally operational, at least.
The rear brakes are inboard mounted. Changing pads is a breeze but replacing calipers, rotors, and axle seals is labor intensive. Proof of recent work here would be a real "plus".
Check for fuel odor in the trunk. If it smells, brace yourself for some work which may or may not be sucessful.
Plan on replacing the fuel injection hoses if the existing ones are more than 5 years old.
Despite what I've just written these are fabulous cars....about the same performance as the earliest 928s and terrific on the highway. But, they have lots of quirks and many are not well cared for. The usual scenario is to spend a few weekends and a chunk of money catching up on all the repairs and services that the previous owner shrugged off....but it sounds like you're used to that. Once everything is sorted they're a dream
Cheers
DD
Member
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 30
Likes: 18
From: Jax, Florida
Check the body lines on the pass side carefully. The door not opening sounds like accident damage. Check all the rust spots, I've seen some great looking cars in pics and then when you get next to them you see the bubbles :-(
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