I commented on the ruby wheel centers not because I thought they needed replacing, quite the opposite, I thought they looked good on the car, they give a great contrast to the car body color and also compliment the red script on the calipers.

 

Thanks Eric! I'll try it out.

Question. Anyone know when these cars started using the MLS head gaskets?

 

Detailed it inside and out this morning. Went for gas, and decided to make a small cruise out of it. Couldn't decide which pic I like best, so here goes both. Paint does have several swirls, and light oxidation on the roof. Soon I should have the time to do a paint correction. Several small tasks i'd like to attack in the near future as well.

 

Both are very good but I like the rock-face one the best.

 

The second one is my favorite but both are great. Such a good looking car...well maintained! Would love to see a dedicated detailing thread when you get there.

 

Will do!

 

Comedic X308 happenings lol so I keep mine on a battery maintainer as it doesn't see everyday use. I run an extension cord from my garage to the side drive where I keep it parked, always plugged in when not on the road. Well today on my evening errand run I am taken aback by the heavy coating of pollen so I snapped a few pics. Forgetting to unplug the cord I start to back up & hear a rip then it hits me lol. Luckily it was an old weathered cord & snapped with out pulling on the battery or charger connection lol.

Pollen Blitz, washing is futile lol.

 

Man that's a lot of pollen.....yer gonna have to commandeer that garage!

 

Trying to narrow a problem down. 2002 xjr. Is this the fuel pressure regulator?

 

The X308 has to sit outside under its car cover for a few days as I have taken advantage of this "quarantine" and spent the last three days cleaning, prepping and clearing my garage. It does me good to have a spring-clean every 5 years, I completely empty the garage, prep and paint the floor, and then sort through all the junk and throw away anything in there that I haven't used in the last 5 years!

The instructions on the garage floor paint says the Jag has to sit outside for 7 days, but I use "placement mats" to prevent hot tire pickup and should be able to bring the old gal back in within 2-or-3 days.

 

Took her out today!

 

nice garage, where's the lift?

 

Oh I wish!

 

Treated her (Liz) to a fuel filter, differential fluid change, new tie rod ends, a transmission mount...and an alignment. All in a day's work, while I figure out what to do about the timing chain tensioners...there is something about D'yag-u-urrs that defies logic...

1/2" to 3/8 reducer, 3" wobble extension and socket handle FTW. No muss, no fuss

Adjusting rear camber...I don't think there was a toe-in adjustment; could be wrong...

 

If you are seriously thinking about all four tensioners, you should probably do a leak rate and compression test while you are in there before you completely tear-down.

AJ26 & AJ27 engines have a tendency to pit the valves and seats that in my experience, can be lapped out with some time, patience, metal die stain and a hand drill without a seat regrind, then you will need to readjust the valve lash x 32 which using a shim thickness calculator sure helps keep track.

 

Wow...that's quite a bit more than I was hoping to take on myself, as it would require tying up a lift for an entire week...what if I just want to quickly replace the secondary tensioners, as well as the water pump, using the Lincoln LS valve cover gasket set? Is that even worth it? Is the zip-tie method a good way to go in such a case? I'm looking at diminishing returns if I try to do the whole thing, as I've done only routine service work on it so far...and whatever I do, should be able to be done in one day, maybe a day and a half, at most.
Is it your experience that these cars are worth risking as daily drivers, or should I cut my losses? I wanted the experience of working on them, but my boss doesn't want to be of much help, understandably.

 

just do the secondaries and the water pump, those are the things that can actually wreck your motor. i'm sure you know the difference between an hour of labor and 20.


once you've figured that out start putting your attention to changing the trans fluid and filter, if you've ever had to work on BMWs of the same year you know they're not the best.

 

Thank you for your help; it was great to actually see the zip-tie method, as opposed to just reading about it. The wite-out on the cam bearing bolts was also a good idea. One hour sounds a lot better than 20...
When I looked up the complete job, book time was 9 hours. Plus $1000 in parts...not wishing to go too far off-topic here, so I'll sign off by saying: I drove it to the store yesterday...and can't wait to drive it again. I have two cars and need to sell one. The naysayers (of whom there are many) say to lose the Jag, but...I just can't seem to accept that. If I can keep it going just a little while longer...
It's not acting up or making noise, yet. But the PO did advise me he hadn't done this job...without the proper locking and balancer removal tools, I am loathe to even attempt the full repair.
Off to Regional, US Western I go then...

 

Definitely has rear toe in adjustment. There's an eccentric bolt. Easy way to check the toe is with a tape. Back of tyres versus front of them.

Rear eccentric bolt

 

Thank you for the reply...that was indeed the bolt I turned, and it seemed to adjusted camber slightly as well. But I couldn't find a camber adjustment. It was a long day, and I just couldn't remember which parameter I was looking at. Doing the alignment and replacing the tie-rods made a big improvement in how it drives, I must say.
I've been recommended a shop nearby, through a friend who used to own a 2003 XJ8...he said he wonders why he ever sold it. The secondary tensioners look a lot easier to change than I first thought, after seeing the Youtube videos.
Speaking of driving it, which is, after all, what it's for...I drove it again last night...there's still a noise in the front end on rough roads, but the steering is much tighter, and I don't see any leaks after three months or so. Most encouraging. Also I don't hear the death rattle in the tensioners...for which I am grateful.


Also, the trans was rebuilt some 55K ago...so maybe time for a change of fluid and filter as a preventative...These are not fast cars, they're cruisers. Grace, Pace, Space. I think I see it now...cats do have nine lives!
Cheers!