Hi everyone. I haven't been around much, but my baby is back on the road and I'm a happy thing.

However, there are some "issues." First, my loving husband tailgated with the inevitable result, a bumper that the body shop says had cracks in too many places to repair. Now, I don't know from repairs (front bumper, by the way), and the price they quoted isn't insane given the price of a new front bumper. However, what do you all know about repairing 1997 XK8 bumpers. It looks like just rubbery plastic to me.

Second, the seat adjustment for forward and backwards has suddenly become inop. It raises up and down, but no forward and backward. Good thing I can reach the pedals. however, got any ideas on that?

Third, that really annoying "Engine Coolant Low" thing that drives me nuts. It isn't, obviously.

Fourth, Evil tailgating husband also left my baby exposed under trees with the inevitable small parts of clear coat messed up, some of the paint under the clear coat messed up, etc. If I use some of the Dr. Colorchip kit, I know it won't bring back the clear coat, but is it worth a try even for a large ragged spot say 6 inches by 3 inches?

Thanks for any tips. We're planning on upgrading the factory cassette player radio with something that will deal with MP4s (got the wiring harness and facia pieces already. Evil husband broke the cup holder, and we got the part and I found the very useful video, so we'll fix that. Besides that, happy fun car!

 

Tell your husband that he must respect the Jag or he can't drive it. He sounds a little like a bull in a china shop.


Mark

 

He can be. I've taken his keys away. Mine. Ordered a new cover.

 

I was about to say he deserves a spanking ... but then again, he might enjoy that as well...

 

I can not comment on the bumper issue #1,
#2 - Seat, Clean all connectors under the seat with contact cleaner and ensure they are seated properly, this isn't easy since there isn't alot of space, I remove the 4 seat retaining bolts and lift the seat.
#3 - Not sure what obviously means, check the coolant reservior if it's within a inch or so from the top (do it cold) then the fluid is ok and it's likely the sensor that plugs in the bottom, you can check the wire connection to this as well.
#4 - Checkout the detailing area of jag forums, there's a great wealth of knowledge on detailing and restoring the shine, I'd hold off on any painting till all other avenues have been explored.

 

look online for front bumper covers i found a used one from motorcars ltd for 300 plus shipping. theres another place in chicago area that sells them for 500 or so they take old ones and recover them . am redoing my interior at the moment and if the seat i just purchased for the drivers side works properly i may have a seat control module for you . in the mean time if its an issue have heard the modules are swapable from side to side but check on the forums first . and mine says coolant low if it drops just a little. have it pressure tested for a loose connection somewhere. one spot that leaks slowly is the hose that connects the thermostat housing to the reservior. mine was leaking there and was so small a leak it woud evaporate from the heat so it was'nt noticible.

 

Thanks all! Looks like the seat module is intermittent. Hopefully it's a contact issue. Looking to find a bumper cover.

 

repairing the plastic is not difficult - you are basically grinding down along each "crack", then using a heat source to "weld" more filler plastic into the valleys, and adding a bit of reinforcement afterwards. It is INCREDIBLY time consuming...

 

http://www.prestigebumpers.com/jaguar.html look here .

 

I've had to deal with two badly patched bumpers, it is really hard to do this well. I'd recommend against patching, just run down a good used bumper cover and have it painted to match and installed.

 

Sounds like just the thing for the man who cracked it in the first place, no? Yeah, I can be harsh. I wouldn't be if said individual hadn't been warned, cajoled, begged, yelled at, etc. about following too closely, surging, keeping the bas on up until just before the light, then hitting the brakes hard enough to jolt me forward, etc. He really doesn't understand that his reaction time has decreased. Showing him brake repairs on my car vs. his doesn't even bring the point home.

 

heck, buy a refurbished one, but banish him to the garage with sander and plastic welder - to fix your old one - and sell it !

 

Do what I had to do with my 92-year-old grandfather back in 1992 - sit him down and explain to him that in the best interests of everyone else on the planet, you are taking his keys away permanently. None of his five children were willing to do it, so since he and I were very close, I was elected to be the bad guy. He put up a fight, but he realized it was time....

Now it's your turn....

 

Checked Prestige Bumpers and they're out of stock. I left them an email asking for them to let me know when they get more in. Thanks for all the suggestions. And I at least took away the Jag keys. He will no longer drive my Brutus.

 

call quality and quick auto wreckers they had a few there last month .(916) 851-9898 they also have a store on ebay.

 

Also, East Cost Auto Source in Bedford VA always seems to have a few wrecked ones there - (540) 586-5713



Dave