I recently (yes I am a noob) purchased a 95 XJS v12 w/@85k miles from CA.

When it was in California there were no leaks. Drove it 300+ miles to Phoenix AZ, still no leaks. Shipped it to MD and drove perhaps 20 miles, now it is leaking this red stuff!

What is it and how can I make it stop?

See attached pics. They are taken from front looking back.

All help appreciated.

 

I can't tell where it's coming from based on the pictures, but I would guess transmission fluid due to the red color.

 

Power steering lines. They are old enough to seep. Just needed some distance driving to show up. Tranny lines are usually all metal lines (unless altered). Not a real expensive fix just tight to get to.

 

Powers steering oil, IMHO. The system actually uses auto trans fluid....thus the red color.

You'll have to clean off the hoses etc and see if you can pinpoint the leak. It's common that the hoses leak where the metal portion is crimped to the rubber section.

Not sure about your model specifically but on the older V12 cars the power steering hoses are a stinker to replace. Expect to get very dirty and swear a lot....or pay someone else to

Cheers
DD

 

yep this job is a pain in the ***. remove the bolts for the steering rack and it drops down so you can access the hose fittings.

Remove the air cleaner to get a little better view to see which one is leaking.
from my own experience it is usually the high pressure line, though the compression fitting on the cooler and low pressure side can also leak

 

I say return hose clamp needs tightening.

 

this happened to me long after my high pressure hose had been replaced. From what I recall i determined the high pressure hose because it was absolutely pissing fluid, and I could feel the crack in the line after getting under the car.

If you remove the airbox much more of the PS system is visible, and the return hose clamps are pretty easily seen/accessed.

Clean ALL of that off and run the power steering a bit more and recheck. If you don't see anything then run the car and turn the wheels back and forth a bit before checking.


the fluid primarily being on the lower radiator hose which runs under the PS pump is indicative that it is the low pressure side, most likely at the reservoir itself. However mine leaked at the cooler compression fitting and ran down the line to the same place.

 

We had leakage at number 5 and 2 at this micture:
Steering Oil Cooler and Pipes-5.3 Litre - Parts For XJS from (V)139052 to (V)179736 | Jaguar Classic Parts UK
The reservoir was totally empty.
Not sure though if tightening the clamp was enough - I don't have the car here.

 

Orchid70 thanks for the tip and the link to the diagram, it gives me a great idea of where to look.

 

Just had the same problem. It was the return hose clamp as mish mish said. These screw clamps get weak as the hoses age and harden. Mine had fallen off. Hose should be changed.