Yeah, I am being told that even if it is not a head gasket, there is something wrong with the head on that side. Bottom line, it will cost anywhere from $5,500 to $5,800 to repair. I will NOT be doing that. I can buy the same year Hess & Eisenstandt Convertible with everything working, and half the mileage for $4,500 in So Cal. So why would I spend close to 6 grand on a base model that would still need to have the AC repaired, and the wood on the console replaced?

I will not be buying the H&E convertible, although it sounds like a great deal, I have to sell some cars first, and I am not a fan of convertibles anyway, and to top it off I hate red. LOL. Still, for less than what I can get mine fixed for, I could get a rare Jag XJ-S convertible.

Jim

 

$5k? As I said earlier, time ro find a Jag specialist. There must be one nearby in Cali. You can find a known good engine and transmission for a fraction of that, and do a transplant.

 

That is what I plan to do. There is no rush to get this car repaired (Other than my wanting to drive it). I can let it sit on the back burner until I find a decent donor car. I will get the XJ6 repaired first, and then sell it, and the Jetta. I will keep the XJ-S as my "baby" and drive it sparingly.

Jim

 

I have no ties to the seller, nor do I know anything about the engine, however this has been posted on the DC area Craigslist for a year. Maybe longer. As far as I know, he started at $1,200. Maybe you can get it for less?

Jaguar V12 XJS Engine and trans

 

Nighteyez,

I agree with everything except the "drive it sparingly" bit. Like most (semi) exotics, these cars were designed to be driven, and seem to languish when not exercised regularly.

I've tried, with varying degrees of success, to upgrade materials when possible (hoses to silicone, steel braided brake lines, etc.), but the cars seem to like it best when taken out at least weekly to reach operating temps, then given a spirited romp.

Good luck with the sales, your XJS is way way too nice to part. Glad you're going to keep her.

 

Wow. 1k for a rebuilt engine, with trans. DC is a long way from Fresno. But it might be worth it to get a rebuilt engine that cheap. Wonder why it has been on CL so long? I will have to contact him and see if shipping is possible. I would not want to drive there and back in a F350 that averages 10-12 mpg.

Jim

 

Lack of demand for rebuilt Jag V12 engines



Go here:
uShip - The Online Shipping Marketplace - Ship Freight, Furniture, Cars or Moves

Sorta like Ebay but for shipping. You might be suprised how cheaply you can ship things....especially if you're not in a hurry. I got an engine shipped across country for about $200

Cheers
DD

 

Well, for me, driving it sparingly would be once a week. I like to drive all my vehicles at least once a week to keep the battery charged up and the fluids flowing. The XJ-S would be my Sunday car. Church, lunch at a restaurant, and then the grocery store, and of course, no XJ-S worth her salt would complain about a spirited drive up the interstate to stretch her muscles. I have read that they don't like doing the daily driver duty of short trips and numerous stops, however, I live right next to a interstate, and can jump on that anytime to work out any kinks she may develop from puttering around town. As a matter of fact, if I can get her off the trailer today, I want to try the interstate and run her for about 20-30 miles north, to the next town, and then come back. From what I was told from the PO, she sat for the most part of a year before I bought her. They only put 300 miles on her in that time.

I have been reading Kirby Palm's book (up to page 180 so far) and am amazed the car did not catch fire when it was only running on the one bank of the engine. I even took it for a test drive before buying it, and put maybe 2 miles on her in that condition. In her case it was not the distributor cap/rotor that caused it, it turned out to be one of the ignition control modules on the radiator.

Anyway, as previously stated, I will keep her. I like the XJ6, but a decision had to be made of which one to keep and which one to sell, and I think the XJ6 would bring more money (it is in better shape, and newer) than the XJ-S, and the XJ-S has always been my favorite Jaguar model. Even if I have to drive all the way to DC to get an engine and trans for her (I don't need the trans, but can keep it for a spare, or sell it to offset the cost of the engine, or the gas to go get it LOL) I think it would be worth it. Spending one or two thousand, is a lot cheaper than spending five or six.

Jim

 

Thanks, will definitely check them out. Even if it costs $475 to ship (what I was quoted on an engine I found on eBay) it would be cheaper than the gas needed to drive there and back. Now if the seller can strap it to a pallet, I'll be all set.

Jim

 

Had some good luck today. I didn't try to take the XJ-S off the trailer by myself, but I did sit in it and run the engine for about 10-15 minutes, and got a big surprise. No smoke came out of the driver's side tail pipe. Usually after it warms up, it bellows out, especially at idle. But not today. Also found a surprise in the glove box. Not only was the original owners manual there (albeit, with a taped spine) but several folders of previous service done by a Jaguar dealer in Sherman Oaks, Ca. The oldest date is Nov of 2005, and between then and now, there have been three previous owners. However, one interesting thing I found is that in the past 2 years, the car has only been driven 367 miles. Another thing I found out is that since 2005, the sub frame mounts have been replaced three times. While sitting in the car letting the engine warm up, I tried the AC and it blew cold air, which is interesting because the PO stated it did not work. I know the cruise control does not work, because several of the service reports stated that it is inop, and it seems to have gone inop about 5 years ago. None of the previous owners decided to get it fixed. It has had 2 batteries since 2005, and the current one was replaced 2 years ago, and has less than 400 miles on it. LOL

Anyway, if the smoking issue is gone for good, I'll see if I can get it smogged next Monday, and then registered for the road on Tuesday.

Jim

 

Finally got the car off the trailer today! Drove it around town getting a stereo installed, and then a smog check. It failed smog due to a bad gas cap, and both rear cats. So that will be taken care of next week. Ended up putting 29 miles on it today, and it never smoked once. I am a happy camper.

Jim

 

Was just surfing ebay - there are some really interesting V12s that could make for an entertaining transplant. Search the following:

Mercedes V12 engine
BMW V12 engine

Even some of the twin turbo Mercedes units can be had for ~$3k. LOL, I wonder if they would fit in the XJS?

 

if you need a set of heads I have a pair that were on my old engine that I can give you for like 300$ (cus I have more.than that in getting them.rebuilt) that jusr need valve shimming

 

Thanks for the ideas, but if I am going to replace the V12, it would be with another Jaguar engine. As for the heads, sounds tempting, if I do need heads, I'll take you up on the offer. How much do you think shipping would be? Might not be a bad idea to have them as spares in case I do need them.

Jim

 

it cost me 50 to ship one to I think 100 for the pair ofthem,

 

Sounds good, I have a Jetta to sell locally, when that is gone, I'll be able to take them off your hands.

Jim