I have another post today to do with the trunk lid.
I have a subjective observation that I would like to hear comments on.
My impression is that when the weather is cold, the gas springs that hold up my trunk don't have any pressure and as a result I have had the trunk lid hit me on the head - I also now keep a piece of wood in the trunk to prop it up if the gas springs don't appear to be holding properly.
They also appear to work fine in warmer weather.
Have others experienced this? Is it a function of the springs leaking or are they like that when new? I don't want to replace them if it is normal, but on the other hand, replacements are available if it would improve things.
Also I assume they are not serviceable or rechargeable?
I also assume that although Jag Heritage lists it by engine size 6 vs 12 cylinder is irrelevant as long as the VIN is appropriate.
I did search the forum for "gas spring" and nothing came up.
Regards
Bill, Canada
1992 XJS coupe

 

That is because the gas pressure in the spring is significantly lower in colder temperatures. A slightly below-spec spring shows this trait.

 

Hi billmgo

I had the same problem on two of my XJS where on one the Bonnet/Hood would fall down

And on the other the Boot/Trunk lid would sometimes not stay up

Although I was intending to replace the Gas filled struts, as it gets pretty Windy round my way from time to time

I was always Paranoid about the Bonnet/Hood Lid falling down

Especially if there were some Tools laying on top of the Engine

Or I have left the Rad Cap on the Inlet manifold while topping up with Coolant

So in order to have piece of mind, I decided to use an idea put forward by Forum Member 'Jonathan W.'

Where you undo a Bonnet or Boot Strut and then slide a piece of Tubing over the whole thing

Having first made sure the piece of Tube is the same length as the piston

You could either use strong plastic but I went for Stainless Steel and it works great!



Thanks to Jonathan W. for this great Bonnet Strut idea which I also use on the Boot/Trunk of another XJS

 

Thanks Orange Blossom: really good idea and I think some solid plastic piping would be fine for the trunk....

 

Had the same problem in cold snowy NH, but new ones did the trick. Rockauto is usually cheapest.

The cold weather thing I find odd is how stiff the heater temperature knob is when it’s cold out! As the car warms up it loosens up.

 

Ordered from Rockauto. Thanks for the recommendation.
Bill