Good Morning. I am new to the Jaguar world and plan to purchase a '95 XJS 4.0 tomorrow, if the inspection goes well.


The other day when I first saw the car, I noticed a hole in the left side of the oil pan. It is about 3/8-1/2" diameter, 1/2" up from the botton and maybe 8-10" from the back. There is no plug in it, just an open hole.


What drew my attention was a trace of an oil leak seeping in that area. It could be coming from the rack and pinion boot, but I'll see it better tomorrow when it is on the lift. Is this normal?


Any help wil be greatly appreciated.


Thanks in advance.

 

Hello, Scott,
I don't know of ANY car that should have a hole in the oil pan! During inspection that should be looked into.
Welcome to the forums from ElinorB.
(';')

 

Thanks LnrB.


It appears to be a machined hole that is meant to be there, the oil pressure is good and it did not leak any oil after a 10 mile test drive. Never seen anything like it...


Could it be for the optional block heater?


Thanks again.

 

See the picture attached. The blue arrow points to the hole is for the oil drain plug (I think). The red arrow points to the hole in question.


Thanks again, Scott

 

Boy Howdy, Scott, I've never seen a pan like that with TWO fitting holes!

I went back and read your original post again. You said "It's just an open hole." Does that mean "open" into the oil sump or is it a threaded blind hole with a solid bottom? If it's into the oil sump *Obviously* there isn't any oil in the engine at this time as you mention this hole doesn't has a plug?!

The only possible thing I can think of is that it was set up for a dry sump or maybe it's a return line from an engine oil cooler. That would certainly be a good place to put such a line -- IF the hole is open from the sump to the outside! I've seen block heaters but not fitted like that.

Your best bet would be to ask the seller what's going on and if you don't get a solid answer, think hard before buying. But For Sure that hole needs a plug and oil needs to be in the pan before the engine is ever turned over.
(';')

 

We are thinking alike.


The current owner drove it 15 miles to meet me, then I drove it another 10 miles at highway speeds and it never screamed for mercy. That makes me think that this hole might have an internal plug that I could not see from the parking lot.


I'll give y'all an update after tomorrow's inspection from up on the lift.


Thanks again.

 

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Welcome to the forum scottw,

Good to have you with us at Jaguar forums.

If that was a hole, there wouldn't be any oil in the sump! It's a casting for an alternative drain plug location which may have been planned and never used or used on an alternative specification. The Jaguar V12 wasn't only used in the XJS.

I can see you've already found your way to the XJS tech forum so there's no need for a link to it from me. The 'HOW TO' thread at the top is a good place to start for info on regular issues.

Graham

 

Welcome to the forum

 

<p>welcome to the forum - enjoy!!</p>

 

Welcome to Jaguar Forumsscottw,

Good to have you with us.
Enjoy the forum.

If you haven't done so already you should add your car details to your signature to help others to help you.
If you need help with getting around and using the forum follow this link for some help Forum Help

 

Thanks to all of you. I'll update my profile as soon as I make the final selection between a 94 and a 95 this weekend.

 

That's a great way to spend a weekend.

Graham