As in, no longer having an XJS.
Shock, horror!
Getting seriously fed up with this thing.
Just spent £1300 (about $1600US) getting major jacking point corrosion sorted and now it has decided to start dumping oil from somewhere.

Bugger.
That's 3 attempts to try and isolate where it is coming from so tomorrow it's round to the mechanic (again) to hoist it up and see what the problem is.
Along with the squeak/rattle that I suspect is the gearbox central mount (replaced about 6000 miles ago).
Seriously, I can't cope with this crap anymore, one thing after another, endlessly.
Absolutely fabulous to drive, hoots of fun and blisteringly fast but I think that I am done with it now.
Have a hankering after another XJR6; I had one a while ago and they are sublime and the only reason that I sold it was because I was the only person that was ever in it.
A bit like me and the XJR-s now.
There are a couple for sale in the UK at the moment including a very, very rare manual (0-60 in 5.5 seconds) and Grace, Space and Pace rather than Shake, Rattle and Roll.
Or maybe I'm just getting too old for a Sports (sic) car?

 

 

Check behind your air filter around the crankvent thing, if nothing there or anywhere else top side is visibly permeated with oil it is probably not so bad, where is the leak exactly while parked? front or mid way back? My car had been pissing oil with streaks much like that, it was only the oilpan gasket.

 

 

Steve
You need a lie down. An XJS is a mistress, not a wife. I have just solved a two year drivetrain and steering problem; several faults, now done. And the mistress is back to her beguiling, wonderful, glamourous, sparkling best.
If you get rid of her, the regrets will start as she drives away, and after a few months you will catch yourself idly "out of interest" browsing Ebay and another beauty will wiggle her impeccable curves at you, and the only difference will be that all the things you have already fixed on mistress No. 1 will have to be fixed again on Mistress No. 2 as well as all the things you have yet to fix on Mistress No. 1.!
So fix her, and she will kiss you under the mistletoe, just like before...

 

Hi Steve

So what are you going to do with yourself all day, as the lack of an XJS in your life is certain to lead to an increase in Pasty consumption and playing Boats will cost you far more than any XJS (except perhaps the one that you've got now)

I used to have an XJR-Supercharger which was a wonderful Car to drive and totally free of all problems but that's what eventually started to do my head in!

It seemed to lack all the drama of driving an XJS and the Paranoia of wondering if this is the day she is going to burst into flames, which of course can't happen if this is also the day that you can't get her started

Although the thing that I would miss the most is all the camaraderie of the friends you make at the Garage, which you are constantly calling in to fill her up with Petrol in exchange for wads of cash

Where you just have to Style it out and try and give the impression that £200 a week on 5 Star is really nothing to you and then go home to live in your Tent in the Garden

 

Well, I won't be spending much on petrol this week by the look of it
Greg, if she were a real mistress I would have had her shot years ago!
I'll go and see if Tony is around yet.

 

The similarity to the furry cats.

Cats do not have owners. They have staff !!!

Carl

 

If you've decided that it's time to move on, then do so. I too think you'll regret it, but it's your car, your money, so do what you need to do.

Just curious though...did this oil leak start shortly after someone worked on the jacking point corrosion issue? This wouldn't be the first time someone created problem B by fixing problem A...seemingly unrelated as they might be. I've done it several times myself!

Thanks,

John
1987 XJ-S V12

 

It probably would have been easier to see which part wasn't leaking!
Oil around the front crank position sensor; the sensor doesn't have any bits that actually go into the engine does it i.e. is it mounted on a gasket that may be letting by? It's definitely not coming from the front crank seal.
Leaking from power steering tower - check.
Leaking from power steering block - check
Leaking from gearbox - check
Leaking from diff - check

Nothing major, just drips, not even dribbles.
Ordered some Lucas oil leak stop which apparently is the dog's danglies.
In the meantime busy doing an oil flush and change on the boat engine.

 

Concerning the power steering, I'd recommend a bottle (or two) of Lucas Power Steering Stop Leak. After I got my oil leaks fixed (most of those were from rotted half-moon seals) next on the list was the power steering leak. I was skeptical that the stuff would work, but it was easy enough to try, and two months later I'm power steering leak free!

Gearbox may just need a gasket.

Anyway, good luck with which ever way you decide to go.

John

 

I don't know about those 'stop leak' additives. Seems best to fix the actual problem. Disclaimer: I'm the least mechanical person here - I just love the XJS experience.

 

Gearbox may just need a gasket.
Just is the favourite word of the female, I'm sure.
Can you just hang that, can you just fix that, can you just build that, can you just knock that down and build it again as I've changed my mind?
I may just take it down the local garage and get them to just sort it out.

Lots of good reports about the Lucas stuff (not the wiring obviously!); apparently you can stick it in anything.
I may order in bulk for when incontinence sets in; do they do it in different flavours?

 

Flint,

I can just say that the stuff works as advertised. The leak is stopped and PS is working fine.

Steve, please disregard my earlier posts, maybe you should just sell it.

Thanks,

John

 

I drove an XJR/6 for many years and loved it.....but it was not a 24/7/365 pleasure cruise by any means. I called it "the Tormentor". By now they're all getting of the age where problems will start cropping up. And, some repairs need specialized equipment...and some of the R-specific parts are getting thin on the ground.

Not trying to talk you out of anything. But, there's always a chance of jumping out of the frying pan and into the fire.

As for the XJS, I hear ya. When I bought mine is was nicer than most and I still spent something like $6500 in the first 6 months getting everything sorted out. But, eventually, everything DID get sorted !

Cheers
DD

 

Steve
If it is a gearbox leak, then the modulator on the RHS towards the front with a vac tube to the A bank manifold is worth a check. Just one little 7/16ths bolt holds its clamp in place. It pulls out easily and the O ring seal may have failed. or the clamp got a bit flat so it is not really clamping.
If it is a gasket, your non-specialist will have to understand the gearbox mount/collision bracket, as that will have to come off to change it. And if it is the gasket, treat yourself to one of these:
https://www.ebay.ca/itm/Moroso-93103...Va--EB&vxp=mtr
A smear of hi-temp RTV each side and it will never leak again.

The PS leak is highly likely to be a slight split in the return (unpressurised) hose, if it was the pressure side all the fluid would come out in no time. Just needs a bit of hose and a hose joiner, and cut out the leaky bit.

 

Thanks guys.
The steering is leaking out of the tower where the column goes in and possibly one or more of the unions on the block.
As previously asked, does the front crank position sensor actually penetrate the block in any way? Is there a gasket there?
Busy trying to sort out a replacement mirror glass and cover for the X Type which got smashed this morning.
One thing after another...…….

 

 

Can you enlighten us Greg as I have ordered one of these and will be fitting it soon. Thanks

The OEM gaskets are cork and not much good. The above gasket is top notch stuff, a thin metal core with neoprene each side. get a tube of high temp gasket dressing;
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/RTV-Silicone-Permatex-Ultra-Copper-Gasket-Maker-Sensor-safe-Permatex-81878-/321085655159
Smear a VERY THIN coat each side of the gasket and nip it up not too tight. Job done. Grant makes 100% RTV gaskets, which are also 100% leakproof. If you ask him, or do a search, you will find his advice.
Greg

 

Rack rebuild, Steve. The CPS does have some sort of gasket on the 3.6, but no idea on the V12. Your leak if coming from there is more likely to be the rubber bung in the hole that gives access to the chain tensioner, it is just above the LHS (as you look at the front of the engine) arch-shaped bit of the water pump casting. The rubber cooks and they leak like crazy. No 19 on this diagram:

Commiserations!