New set of plugs and new thermostats with jiggle pin installed. Motor seems to me to be smoother and temperature is now right on center and holds steady on a run. Result.

 

Flushed and refilled the power steering fluid, Differential flush and refill, oil and filter replaced, and 4 wheel alignment. It just feels better...

 

Today I got my hands dirty trying to troubleshoot my auxiliary fan. I came up empty-handed (not counting the dirt.)

 

Just in case it helps, there are two possible modes of activation of the aux fan: (i) Some are wired to come on all the time when the aircon compressor is activated, and (ii) ALL are wired to come on when the water temp switch in the pump inlet closes. First find out if your fan should come on when the compressor is activated. Some are so wired by the factory, some not.


To test the fan itself: a good test is to pull the two leads off the thermostatic switch and join them together (simulating the switch going to "on"). If the fan works, ignition on, the switch is the trouble. If the fan does not work, it is worth just feeding the fan 12 volts from an off-car source (ignition off) to see if it goes OK.


If the fan goes with 12 volts externally applied you have to find the wiring fault. There is a line fuse in the fan wiring clipped on the radtop panel, check that. Also the fuse nearest the front in the under bonnet fuse box on the LHS wing gutter might be bad.


Enough to start with, hope it is useful.

 

Super useful, Greg, thanks! I checked the 15A fuse in the LHS gutter and the inline fuse. Both were good. Tomorrow I hope to determine whether the fan or the switch is bad.

Here I thought my auxiliary fan woes were over when I did that bootstrap bypass mod.

 

Got my water pump bearing at long last... My cousin in Britain managed to locate probably the last one available (on the planet?).

Compared to my worn bearing, it is like "day and night". Very firm, very little play in the races... No rattles. My V12 should sound like a new car again, at least when it is ready

 

thought I would paint my regulators as the were letting the side down as far as colour was concerned, meanwhile I have purchased a zinc plating plant,
so im not sure now whether to plate them or leave them, and with the new decals. we will see

 

Have not actually bought them yet as I have just sent the order through and waiting on the total.
Spin on oil filter adapter kit
Air Cleaners
Stainless steel braided oil lines
Hi torque starter motor
Aluminium radiator
Electric fan conversion
Ventilated rear disc rotor kits
Larger directional front rotors
Stainless steel braided brake hoses
Aluminium rear brake calipers
Uprated sway bars
Extractors
Stainless steel exhaust system

 

Erm, the oil Filters on the V12 on the XJS are always 'spin on'!? Or am I missing something here!?

 

No you are not missing something....
The oil filter kit is for another car, I just pasted the list from the email order and forgot to remove it.

 

Got my new intake and exhaust valves. Now come the mods, undercut stems and lighten intake and radius edges and lighten exhaust.

New intake valves are 2grams heavier and Exhaust are 3grams heavier than originals.

 

Most recently, a custom sun-faded/aged new 'ski slope' with cupholders, a used original tan carpet heel pad (my floor carpets made by Paul's Jaguar didn't get one because they no longer have new ones), seat rail extenders (adds height and allows seats to go back further for more leg room for us 6+ foot tall owners), and 4 new head lamps (Wagner 5 3/4). An old XJ6 growler horn button to install somewhere that will look right/proper (I just really like them, they suit the car and the later models didn't have them). Also I got some vinyl silver pin-stripe tape to do the 'headlamp to tail lamp' stripe (it really helps accentuate the main line of the body). Also a set of 1975-80 models stainless wiper arms/frames and a new set of Trico steel refills for them. I think that's everything...

 

i bought a new brake booster check valve, much improved pedal response.

$4.95 usd, i have been chasing a hard pedal for past 6 months!

i was expecting a big money issue,so kert putting it off.

sometimes i cant see the forest because the trees are in the way???!!!

 

My front pulley came off. I'm gonna put that back on. I need that. You might check yours.

Crankshaft bolt
Compressible collar for the pulley / harmonic balancer

In the "While Im in there" department...

Front crank seal
Distance piece
Spal 185 Fan controller
Deralle 18217 17" dual-speed electric primary fan.

This fan likes amps, but I'm sending the 115 amp alternator back as it's the Bosch, and the shaft is too large for my 75A alt fan and pully. Local shops want way too much to even rebuild it much less rewind it to higher amps. Suggestions? There's an 02 and an 05 X-Type and a 2000 S-Type in the pull-a-part. Anyone know what they have?

 

Refitted and rewired the dizzy. All tidy and clean looking now

 

shame its not visible when all back together.

 

Well, you'll see some of the HT leads... But yeah, that dizzy looks awesome when it is fitted. Shame it isn't like onnFerraris or so at the end of the camshaft

 

Two new (to me!) Hot Wheels XJSs from fleabay- at least one will be taken apart, restored and repainted in BRG to match Her Highness.

 

replaced the grommet around the antenna

 

Got the engine cleaner out and spent about four hours detailing the motor and engine bay. High Pressure washed out all summer bugs from the radiator and transmission cooler I have to admit,every time I clean the engine, one has to admire the V12 as apiece of art.