Hi Neil, Is the reg number XJI 8400 by any chance? If so, it looks like it hasn't had an MOT for several years. The date of July 1996 is the month it was registered. The interesting thing is the build date which will be earlier than this. A bit of a clue will be the date stamped inside the boot (und...

I had a problem a while back with my key fob on the 1996 XK8. I replaced the batteries but it still would not work. Turned out the contacts were dirty. Might be worth getting some Iso Propanol Alcohol and some cotton buds. Open up the key fob. Dirt and grease builds up on the contacts (clean the pri...

Nice to hear that pre-HE ones are desirable. This year I hope to get a quote to see how much my 1978 car would be to get back on the road. It's been in my garage for the last 27 years on jacks. Mileage is 24,000. Nothing obviously wrong with it visually. The bumpers were removed years ago in an exer...

Thanks for the advice Alec. I am working through the list gradually (but more to the point, when I actually get time). Let's get the most embarrassing out of the way first - I was reading the ammeter incorrectly and assumed that 'Charge' was on the same side of the gauge as the E Type :oops: After a...

Yes a Heritage Certificate is an excellent starting point. Cabriolet, The internal wear on the carpets and interior is minimal. There was only one previous owner, my father in-law. I first remember seeing the car in 1983. I'll see what DVLA turns up. I have since discovered (been informed) that the ...

Engine is now back in and car is back on the road, hooray. The overdrive is now fixed, problem with the solenoid. £150 to fix. Don't know why the previous garage could not fix it. Issues to sort out: 1. Ammeter now shows discharge when revving and slightly below neutral when idling. Something as sim...

I was looking at the tyres on my pre-HE XJS recently, since I wanted to understand more about DOT codes. I acquired the car in 2016. The tyres on the rear are Michelin 205/70 VR15 XDX. The DOT code is FHYT A8H X 439. The tyres on the front are Dunlop SP Sport Super D7 205/70 VR15. The DOT code is DO...

Thanks for the advice B87UL, I have forwarded that to the garage. Cameron Racing Engines in Malvern are fixing the car at present. They removed the head and found the valve had broken off at the base of the neck. The damage to the piston head is seen below. There is quite a gouge taken out. BTW - re...

I have been quoted £500 by a specialist classic car garage to just get the head off. Any further work will obviously be extra. I have heard that the head removal can be problematic and can be known to be seized on. Is £500 a reasonable price for doing this job? If it comes off easy, they are quids i...

Been busy recently, apologies. I went to the British Motor Museum yesterday. I wanted to see the cut away of the XK engine in the Collections Centre. This was to help me understand what might be the problem with the seized engine. Today I found the problem..... Cylinder 2 (air intake side) has a dro...

Thanks Doherto. Your post was very interesting. I will have a closer look at the strip and action a similar repair as you have done. However, the main problem was that the float arm mechanism is completely jammed. So when I buy a new unit from the supplier, it will (should) include the complete asse...

Thanks for advice about heater and temperature etc. I will investigate when I have time. Regarding the fuel gauge issue, I removed the sender unit from the petrol tank yesterday. The float arm is completely seized, probably due to 16 years of having just below a quarter tank of fuel in and not movin...

Brake sensor switch: Replaced with a new one today. Same thread size but takes a much smaller spanner size (22mm? compared to 26mm). Not much brake fluid came out during the change over (I was quick). I guessed at the torque setting. Reconnected wires and tested brake lights. All seems fine, but pro...

Thanks for the advice. I tried the car on a flat surface last night. Brakes come on and off fine - repeatedly. No delay in lights when releasing brake pedal. Maybe switch just gets stuck on after a semi long drive with normal braking. Unfair to compare brakes to a modern car, but I have to apply a l...

Recently had car back from garage and gradually addressing various on-going issues. On the way back home after a 40 mile round trip, a passer by shouted 'brake lights jammed on'. He was correct. Tonight I inspected the switch and connections. Connections cleaned and now brake lights work normally. I...