By the way, Jim. The power mirrors didn't work on my car either when I bought it. I think the contacts inside the switches get dirty from lack of use. It was just a matter of working the knobs back and forth and up and down (for 15 minutes or so). The mirrors work perfectly in all directions now.

 

Well, my mechanic is still tracking down the problem. It turns out the transmission is fine. Also it is not the distributor cap or rotor, or either of the coils. However he now suspects the module or computer that shuts down half the cylinders when cruising at speed (hence the HE designation after the engine name).

Yes, I think I can make a profit on this car. The two major issues other than this engine management issue is the AC and the wood center console being all torn up. I can buy the wood for the console on eBay for $175, and my mechanic friend can repair the AC. Of course, that may be the most expensive repair I make unless the engine management problem requires an expensive part.

However, as a plan B I know I can make a profit on the XJ6 I bought 3 weeks ago. So should this turn out not to sell, I can always sell that one to recoup the losses on this one. Although that was not the original plan, I can live with it. I see tons of BMW's and Mercedes-Benz around town, I rarely see Jaguars, especially XJ-S Jaguars. So it would be cool to be rolling around in one.

Jim

 

Thanks, will have to try that when I get it back from my mechanic.

Jim

 

[QUOTE=Nighteyez;828420]Well, my mechanic is still tracking down the problem. It turns out the transmission is fine. Also it is not the distributor cap or rotor, or either of the coils. However he now suspects the module or computer that shuts down half the cylinders when cruising at speed (hence the HE designation after the engine name).

This car is NOT meant to shut down half the cylinders at cruising speed. It is definitely an issue that needs to be resolved. There is a danger of the catalytic converter filling up with fuel and CATCHING FIRE!

I don't have first hand experience with this Marelli ignition issue but others here do and hopefully they will chime in. You can search Marelli issues on this forum for more info.

Please do not drive the car until this issue is sorted.

 

It is impossible for me to drive the car since it is at my mechanic's house. And I talked to him on the phone last night, and he was able to fix the issue with the second coil not firing. He said he will button everything back up and take it out for a test drive. Since he works a full time job and does this on the side, it may take a couple of days for him to get it back together. I should have it back either today or most likely tomorrow.

Jim

 

Mechanic called again, and says the V12 is now running on all 12 cylinders, and runs a lot better than it did before. One small problem is that it is smoking from that bank, but we both believe that is because it was not firing and has some excess oil to burn off. A compression test revealed 150psi in all 12 cylinders, so that was good news too. Going to have to give him a big tip for saving me some big bucks. Should be able to pick it up tomorrow.

Jim

 

I cannot agree more and just wish I was in your

shoes, but then again, I just have to focus on my dream!!!

Good taste goes a long way! Enjoy your travels!!! Stu

 

Jim, I am so glad you are enjoying yourself, but yeah there's always a BUT!

Are you really intending selling these BABES, oh dear!

Once they are gone, are you not going to miss 'em? Stu

 

I bought the black one to sell for a profit after fixing it up. However, if I keep it, then the white one will be sold. I can't make any money if I keep everything I buy. I knew this car flipping business might be a problem for me. LOL. Can't sell what you fall in love with. Anyway, I keep flip flopping on which one to keep and which one to sell. I am afraid that once I drive the repaired XJ-S, I will fall in love with that one, and not want to sell it. Especially since I am learning that it is not the one people prefer to own. I think the XJ6 will be easier to sell simply because it is in much better shape. However, I already love that one.

Picked up a 2001 VW Jetta VR6 yesterday for $1,200. Needs a radiator, and an exhaust leak fixed, along with some minor things like trim pieces, and grille inserts etc. And it is missing the stereo. Was going to fix that and sell it for a profit too, but now I am giving it to a friend who is in need of a car. And it fulfills my obligation to the Lord of 10% of my incoming going to Him.

Well, wait until I sell one of the Jags before I buy another car to flip, since right now I have no money coming in, only money going out.

Jim

 

Well, I just talked to John, my mechanic friend, and the XJ-S has a blown head gasket. So now I have a decision to make. Sell it as a parts car, and hope I can make a profit, (even a $200 profit would be better than a $2,000 loss) or spend the money and fix the head gasket problem, and keep it as my toy, or just sell it for a higher amount. Judging by some of the other threads I have read, I will be lucky to get $4,500 to $5,000 for this car once the head gasket problem is taken care of, and the console wood replaced. I don't want to spend $3,000 on the car only to break even. If I do decide to keep it for myself, then the XJ6 will have to be sold. I just can't afford to have both.

If I do decide to fix the XJ-S, I will buy the parts off eBay, and pay my mechanic friend to do the work. Of course, with 159k on the engine I know the timing chain will need to be replaced, so that will have to be added to the bill. I can get a chain for $40, but I can't find the gasket set for it. And I have heard you need special tools to do the job, is that true?

I know I am speaking to Jaguar enthusiasts, but I would like to get some 2nd opinions on this issue. Should I just bail out and try to sell it as a parts car, or should I keep it and fix it? Not having any prior experience with Jaguars in general until a month ago, and XJ-S's in particular until 2 weeks ago, I can't be positive I will like the car well enough to spend the money on it. Especially knowing that the XJ6 would have to go if I do keep it. I have driven the XJ6 for a month, and love it. I would hate to sell it for a car I have only put 1 mile on during the test drive.

Jim

 

Hi Jim,
I am not aware if you have seen these posts so if you get time, I'd check all of these out:

https://www.google.co.uk/url?sa=t&rc...53760139,d.d2k

They are a mix but are all to do with your model, so good luck and you can also look at a site called gasketshop.net


I don't actually know if there's an equivalent shop on your side of the water, but it'll give you an idea of some of the prices!!

Regarding the link I sent, they are all Jaguarforum members into your model so I don't think they wouldn't welcome giving you some help!


Might be worth a look to and if that waited lottery win comes in, I'll give you a nod and let you know when I arrive!!!

Hang in there and whatever you are in Love with tomorrow, I hope she Loves you back?

Regards, Stu

 

Thanks for the link Stu, will have to take a look at it and read the posts a bit later as I am preparing for a 500 Miglia event that will take me and my XJ6 down the coast of California, and then back up again on Sunday. Should be fun, and get my mind off the XJ-S.

Jim

 

At first glance, the car looks way too nice to be parted out. May we see some interior pictures?

Here's the reality of the situation; you have a 25 year old exotic with 160k on the clock, it's gonna take some $ to catch up on deferred maintenance, etc. and you are unlikely to ever recoup your costs (maybe in 10-15 years if prices go up).

If you must have an XJS, and have another reliable car to drive in the meantime, sell the XJ6, and use the funds to get your XJS up to par. Sounds as though you have access to inexpensive labor with your mechanic. The downside is that he's not a Jaguar specialist. If you stick with him, be prepared to assist with diagnostics. You might even encourage him to join this board.

If you decide this car is not worth the effort, please try to sell it to an enthusiast. Looks way too good to part out.

All the best either way.

 

How about a good used engine?

Plenty of low value, rusted out XJSs out there with good engines. Do some looking around. Worth consideration, at least?

I was recently given (as in "free") a rusty 1988 Ser III V12. Body isn't worth saving but it has the sweetest running V12 I've yet to come across. I have plans for that engine, though :-)

Cheers
DD

 

Thanks for the advice guys, I do appreciate it. I finally got a chance to drive it yesterday. Not very far because it is on a non-op. Only drove it around the block, and then down the street to the nearest gas station to fill it up with premium. It runs 100% better now that all 12 cylinders are firing. LOL. I have decided to keep this one and sell the XJ6 if I have to. The XJ6 is currently in need of repair also as I went on a two day cruise with the Eurotopia guys, and it lost all its oil in the middle of the run. I am hoping it is just an oil cooler line O-ring, as one of the members looked under the car and said it is leaking from the oil filter area. Anyway, back to the XJ-S. After driving it, even for that short amount of time, and looking at it sitting there on the street (instead of on my trailer), I decided I cannot get rid of this car. Especially after talking to one of the guys in yesterday's cruise who owns 4 Jaguars, 3 XJ-S's and one XK-R. He told me he bought both of his 89 convertibles for under $1k each. One was on a salvaged title which he bought for $950, and was in the process of restoring, when he was offered a theft recovery 89 Convertible for $900 with a clean title. He also has a '75 XJ-S but I don't remember if he said that was a convertible or not. In any case, I figure if I can find a parts car for under 1k, or even a little over, I would be in good shape. Or worst case scenario, I can look for a lower mileage V12 on eBay. I checked a week or two ago when my mechanic first told me he suspected a head gasket problem, and found one with 55k miles for only $854. Shipping would have been another $475 so for $1,300 I could have had a replacement engine. However, if I can find a parts car for that price I would not only have the engine, but a whole car with all the little bits and pieces that would save me a ton of money if I had to buy them all individually. If I sell the XJ6 it would cover the purchase price of this XJ-S as well as the parts car.

While at my mechanic's house yesterday to drive the car, I was able to get some pics before it got too dark.



I agree, it is in too good a shape to part out.



Driver seat has some cracks, the center console wood needs to be replaced, as does the wood around the driver side AC vent. Rest of the interior is in great shape. It is missing the interior light right next to the rear view mirror also.



I am told it has a top of the line (for '89) Kenwood stereo in it. However, the PO stated they cannot get the cover of it to go back up, so I will take it to my local stereo/alarm installer people and see if they can get it working. Can't see it in this photo as I forgot to straighten the wheel, but the odometer registers 159,051 miles.



I did not clean it before I took these pics as I wanted to get them taken before the sun went down. Those are water spots on the trunk, and nothing in the paint. Body is flawless except for a small ding/scrape on right rear fender lip. It was covered in dust when these pics were taken.



You can barely see the white marks of the only body damage on the whole car, in front of the rear wheel.



I can see why they charge so much for a head gasket job (other than the fact that it is a Jaguar) it probably takes hours just to GET to the heads with all this stuff in the way. LOL When I was driving it, I did not notice any smoke coming from the car. When I got back, I let it idle for a few minutes, and then eventually it started smoking, and smelling like burned oil. My mechanic is not 100% sure it needs a head gasket, but can't figure out any other reason for the smoking. It only smokes from the passenger bank of the engine. He is not a Jaguar specialist, however, he has stated he has learned quite a lot in these past two weeks while searching the forums, and repair sites. Also, the car came with a Jaguar service manual in the back seat.

Jim

 

You can buy a "block test kit" ($50 or so from NAPA) that uses a dye to determine if there are hydro-carbons in the coolant....which would confirm a leaky head gasket (or some other internal problem)

Or, take the car to a shop that has an exhaust gas analyzer. They can use the sniffer probe to check for hydro-carbons in the coolant.

Getting the heads off a V12 is no stroll the the park. It would be a shame to go thru all the effort only to find out the head gasket is OK.

Cheers
DD

 

Thanks for the pics. Yeah, way too nice to part.

- leather: find out who the dealers use, and get that panel replaced / repaired. won't cost much

- wood: splurge on new wood so it all matches, or check out SARC's car. He has a vinyl substitute that looks damn good.

Agree 100% that labor on these cars is too expensive for random exploratory surgery. Best to find out what the problem is for sure before spending any money.

Good luck - beautiful car!!

[edit]

I am not a mechanic, and did not know about the head gasket testing kits. However, if your mechanic did not know this, you're in for a world of hurt regarding labor costs. As you can see, it's not that the engine itself is so complex, but the bay is cramped, and getting to one component often requires the removal of several others. Unless you're paying him in beer...

 

Thanks for the info, I had not heard of a block test kit. Will check it out. I agree, considering the expense and hassles of replacing the head gaskets, I want to be 100% sure that is the problem before going down that path.

Well, the mechanic is a friend of mine (used to be a supervisor of mine LOL) and has agreed to do the head gasket repair for $1,000. I will pay him $1,500 if we do indeed need to go that route. I know it would cost a lot more if I were to take it to a shop, assuming I could even find one that will do it. However, at the moment funds are tight, so I will have to put it on the back burner for now. The XJ6 hit something on the road this past weekend and it put a hole in the oil pan, so I need to get that fixed as well.

Jim

 

Got the car back in the storage lot for now. I started it and let it run. It does not smoke the first 5 minutes or so of running. But then, it starts smoking pretty bad from the driver's side tail pipe, and a little bit from under the hood. It smells like oil, but looks white like water. I wanted to take it out on the freeway and give it the Italian tune up to see if that helps any, but was unable to get the car off the trailer by myself. So, tomorrow, I will enlist the help of my mechanic and see what happens. (my car trailer is way too high off the ground, and the angle of the ramps is such, that the bottom of the car scrapes the trailer, will be getting the trailer lowered, but not until some time next month.)

Jim

 

Sorry but it does sound like a head gasket. I am new to Jags but have been around many 60's and 70's classic cars to bet its the head gasket. I would not take it out and drive it until you know for sure what the problem is. Good luck...