Hello, New owner of a Daimler Six LWB 1996

[damedaphne]

Good afternoon everyone.

I would like to introduce myself - My name is Jamie and i am finally a owner of a Jaguar XJ. My dream car. Even better - i managed to get myself a Daimler Six LWB 4 seater 1996 model.
Its not without its issues - i have a continuously growing list, of which i will trouble you with in the respective sub-forums. The main thing is she is roadworthy and i am enjoying being a XJ owner.

I have been calling her Daphne as its a family tradition to name our cars/motorbikes. She appears to be registered to a fellow JEC member in the past.... N998XJM. So if you know of her and are still on the JEC forum - please make contact.

Hope to see you around

[RichardSEL]

Welcome to the forum! You'll find the X308 series the biggest bargain around! (but Shussssh! don't tell anyone)
Just sold my Sport, but have an Exec (which her indoors prefers) to fall back on. Otherwise known as Ludlow (or the eBay bargain)

They do have their share of problem areas though: do check when you have a chance on a ramp for rust around the engine and body mounts. Also check for holed front and rear sub-frames. Some have reported buying an immaculate looking XJ8 but later discovering those holed like a cullinder.

The 4L, like the 3.2L needs top timing chain tensioners changed for latest steel type. About £420 inclusive. My Sport had already been done by previous owner but no receipt in file so that cost me £45 for the check. Change the coolant temperature sensor for a genuine (Denso) Jaguar part. The increase in fuel consumption is noticeable. And also the thermostat.

I had a 4L fully loaded '00MY LWB Sovereign low miles for a few months.
People kept on offering me money for it though

Good luck!

[Andy P]

Welcome Jamie,
Congratulations on your purchase,a very nice car,well worth the time and effort to make it perfect.
You might get more answers to your issues by using the X300 Forum as that caters for the six cylinder XJ Models,this one is for the V8 Models.

Good luck anyway Jamie.
Enjoy The Luxury.
Andy

[RichardSEL]

6, six, SIX? I knew that all along, just didn't react to it <sweat>

Dump my wibbles on the sensors and tensioners then; seek advice from them in the know in the X300 forum as Andy says. 186k -- it must be nice to have those miles and still be good to go.

Good luck!

[damedaphne]

Apologies for posting in the wrong section - I saw new arrivals and just went for it.
There is no new arrivals group for the X300 section - which is a shame.
Although my X300 does have its bumpers front and rear from a X308.

Thanks again

[davidr]

I have moved this thread to the XJ40/X300 Section where it will hopefully attract more attention from fellow X300 enthusiasts
Regards
David

[damedaphne]

Thank you for moving the post to the X300 section.... Much appreicated!

[naki]

So what work does it need? I can probably guess, as most of them all end up with the same usual suspect list sooner or later.
Will you be working on it yourself, or paying garages?

[damedaphne]

Good afternoon Naki,

I plan on doing everything myself - where possible. I had been looking for XJ for sometime - then this daimler popped up roadworthy but in need of some TLC.

I'm currently running on 5 cylinders and fault finding the plugs/coils at the moment. I have a rocking motion at idle which wasnt there before. I've put some miles on her recently so i expected something to let go.

Ill keep the "To Do list" as short as possible;

Tyres - all shot. Pirelli p4000 on the rear (date stamped 95 and 01) Unknown brand on the front (2010). First thing to GO!!!
Engine - Rocking (as described early) will be sorted. Full service and fluid change. Some oil leaks around the oil cooler. Replace the oil switch as i get intermittient readings at idle.
Rust - rear l/h sill and driver side arch.
Paint - begun to de-laquer.
Boot - has a dent in it - been replaced i believe as the key doesnt match.
Locking whel nut key missing
ABS fault light is intermittient as well.

The plan is to get the mechanical side in a better position, Powerflex bushes around, replace the brake discs/pads if needed etc.... I will do the looks department afterwards as most of it works. A big niggle is the fitment of a aftermarket head unit which has caused more damage to the wiring loom than i like. (its been butchered) it HAD a premium sound system but its been removed - i have undone most of the butchery but theres still loads to do...

anyway - sorry to bore you with the little things...

I will keep posting my progress and ask questions as and when...

Feel free to ask anything about "Daphne" - its going to be a learning experience for me!

[smtracer]

Congrats on finally getting your dream car!

[naki]

That sounds like most of the usual suspects there to attend to.
i think X300 is now at a point where all Jaguars have been before in the past. An uneconomical repair is conventional wisdom, unless you can do all the work yourself. Hence why they are so popular with DIY enthusiasts. You get a stunning amount of car for your money, but you need to work at it to get the best out of it.

How are you progressing so far?

Engine - Rocking (as described early) will be sorted- likely a failing coil pack or two (or six!).
a Full service is always best place to start by getting a car reliable again.

ABS fault light is intermittent as well. likely a sensor going off/ broken wire.
the ABS ECU/ valve blocks can go too though.

A big niggle is the fitment of a aftermarket head unit which has caused more damage to the wiring loom than i like.
I have seen this so often. Its ignorant past owners/ garages yet agin. They could have spent £10 and got the proper adaptor, and never needed to touch the wiring, but oh no, its to the Butchers block it goes.

I have parts here if needed. PM me for any requests.

[damedaphne]

Good afternoon - thanks naki.

Been going well so far. I have addressed some issues and have learnt of some new ones in equal measure.

Rocking engine was cured with a new set of plugs and two new coils. Purrs lovely now...

New set rubber on all four corners - now I’m confident to do more miles in her. Balancing has cured vibrations through the steering wheel.
With the tyres off I have been able to access under the car more and have highlighted a few issues.

Oil patch at the front of the engine, possibly a crank seal?
Air conditioning compressor is very brightly coloured - oil dye. As I have recharged the system and use the a/c constantly, I have leak tested the compressor whilst running, at at stop and have no leaks. I think it’s from the past and not been cleared properly.
Brake pads look thick but the discs look slim - due replacement soon.
Front and rear shock absorbers look worn out and the fronts have lost there rubber covers.
Fuel filter has a hose and jubilee clip on one end - not the threaded section I was expecting. A new hose is required.

As you said - a good solid service is always a good place to start. I have the filters, washers and fluids ready to make there way into daphne. Just getting the time to do it.
I’ve decided to use comma products for the fluids. I’m going for a full drain and refill of everything. Specially the coolant as I think my thermostat is wide open. It takes a long time to warm up.

Also I have a small niggle when it comes to filling up the fuel tank... do you suffer with only getting about 55ltrs in? Apparently there’s a knack which I find ludicrous....

Once the service is completed I will be looking to overhaul the whole bush/shock/discs/bearings on the front end then the rear. Once the car is mechanical sound and fettled I will do the interior.


The more miles I put on her the more I’m learning and the better she is becoming.