Newbie here, would love to get some thoughts. I'm coming from the world of trucks but the option to inherit a 1996 XJR (X306) v8 supercharged came around. I'm ok with a wrench, do my own oil changes, general maintenance, and have some done suspension work.

What am I realistically looking at getting myself into? 135k on the odometer and has a a high pitched squeaking sound when first turning on the car during cold temps. (Belt related?). Traction control warning light comes on sometimes. Are these common issues with the XJR? More issues that I should anticipate are on the way?

 

This is a pic of the harmonic balancer on the normally aspirated model

The supercharged version will have an extra pulley

Mark as shown with the belts still installed and run the engine with high electrical load and A /C on and on engine shutdown the marks should come back together

You can place an extension on the alternator and water pump and locate a sqwelling bearing if the case

You may have an improper sized pulley belt in the mix as the alternator seems to be the hardest to size

The 13 dollar A / C idler pulley being in an exposed area can go out , You can temporarily lube the bearing area as a test to see if it goes away temporarily

If it is only the traction control and not the anti lock at the same time the 2 wires under the traction control actuator have the wire insulation brittle and come off

 

Welcome to the forums 777,

If it's a 1996, it's an in-line 6, not a v8. In some ways that's good news as the X300 was more robust than the X308.

Regardless of whether it's given or purchased, you have to WANT an early Jaguar. It's the gift that keeps on taking (time and money) and if you're not really committed to ownership, that will become a pain. An expensive vehicle to buy when new, maintenance and parts costs match that level. High miles isn't a problem. I put 166K miles on my 1996 with very little trouble. The issues you mention don't sound serious or unusual.

If the Jaguar does appeal to you, it's a wonderful environment from which to view the World.

Graham

 

This might be of some interest:

https://www.jaguarforums.com/forum/x...-record-84881/

My XJR was my daily driver for many years and I kept it till 171k miles. I loved it. It never once left me stranded by the roadside! BUT....it was by no means a pleasure cruise 24/7/365. Replacing worn out or broken stuff wasn't so bad...and is to be expected. The driveability issues, though, difficult to sort out. I began referring to the car as "The Tormentor" :-).

As Graham says, you have to WANT the car.

Cheers
DD

 

Well at least you're in the US. So . . . maybe no rust issues. All good advise above. Especially the "not a daily driver (Honda CRV)". I'm renaming mine the "Tormentor". Thanks for that excellent and accurate monicker!

 

Thanks all for the warm welcome, really appreciate it.

@Parker 7 - will have to look into that, thanks!

@GGG you are indeed correct, did a quick check and it is in fact an inline 6. I wonder how the idea that this was a v8 got into my head

@Doug Very helpful, I can see what you mean by tormentor lol. It is a beautiful car and it definitely is growing on me day by day. Far different from the truck world I'm coming from.

@jagstuart yes, 0 rust, pacific southwest all its life. I do see it more as a weekend car so the non-daily driver is a good tip!

 

You can remove belt # 2 and drive without the A / C as a test

Belt # 1 is the alternator / water pump belt that the size is important , off the top of my head is a X # of ribs / 395 cm

I think the A / C belt and alternator belt is the same size and I think a 5 rib

Look under the vertical cylinder on the cars right engine bay just fwd of the brake module and inspect the 2 wires leading out from under the cylinder for missing wire insulation

Genuine Drive Belts-3.2/4.0/4.0 Litre Supercharged (3.2 Litre,4.0 Litre,4.0 Litre (california),4.0 Litre Supercharged) For Jaguar Xj 1995 - 1997 (from 720125 To 812255) Classic | Jaguar Land Rover Classic Parts

The 1996 will be the inline 6 / AJ16 and not the V8 which has it's troubles

801S TITLE (jagrepair.com)

Starting on page 51

 

The A / C belt tensioner adjustment square bolt head will probably be stuck and best to back away from least round out the square bolt head , tricks to addressing the tensioner assemby

The A / C tensioner pulley center bolt must first be loosened slightly to unclamp the pulley block to slide

You are going the have a tensioner set up on the supercharger belt on the top of the engine so easy to get to

 

Alternator belt Jaguar part # EBC11306

I've had fast service from them with regular mail rates

Belt-Drive (welshent.com)

I have experienced a X300 alternator bearing going out and replaced at a alternator shop