Jaguar XJ6 Suspension/Vehicle too low

[Tcollis]

Dear members,

I have a beautiful 2003 XJ6 which has had the air suspension fault warning light on for some time. However after starting the car, it goes off after a couple of minutes and the car raises to correct height. Overnight it slowly drops again and the next morning I go through the same routine.
However this morning, the car will not rise and the vehicle too low warning light stayed on as I drove to work - fortunately not too far.

I will book the car in to be looked at, but would be grateful for anyone's view on what the fault might be and whether in a worse case scenario it is a big/expensive job to fix.

Thank you very much,

Tim Collis.

[J44EAG]

This thread was pinged to us in the incorrect XJS section. As a moderator, I`ve moved it to this X350 section.

Firstly, I would suggest you go into the suspension section of the X350 site here and look at posts by myself and others in regard to the air suspension on these cars.

The suspension should lift immediately upon start up if the air compressor is fully serviceable. This is powered by an electric motor unit operating a pump. The pump piston is fitted with a piston ring. Given time and age, this ring wears out. I had to replace the ring on my pump after 11 years on the road and 90k miles covered. The pump is accessible by removing either the front bumper, or in my opinion quicker and easier by removing the near side wheel arch liner. A long pump up time is due to piston ring wear and inability of the pump ring and piston to seal in the cylinder bore. The problem is well known and what you describe is symptomatic of a worn pump. Those of us running these cars for several years will all know of this malady and many of us have indeed had to deal with the issue.

As I`ve said, look on the suspension section for more detailed descriptions of diagnosis, understanding and fixing the problem.

You have two choices. A new pump from Jaguar or via eBay is around £300 plus labour and VAT to fit.

If you are a DIY man, then given that the pump cylinder bore is still serviceable, Bagpiping Andy in Scotland makes a repair kit with new seals, ring and bolts. A Jaguar Main Dealer cannot supply or fit these parts as they are from the after-market. Kits, dependent on whether just a ring or a new cylinder head kit is ordered from Andy vary in price from around £25 to £75. Repairs of this type are feasible if you have time, knowledge and the desire to save money. The pump motor must be serviceable to allow such repairs. The kit is great for the DIY man but few garages will be bothered with giving a kit a try. They will want to fit a complete new pump. The choice is yours.

Mike

[Tcollis]

Thanks Mike I will look in that section. Thanks for the information, that is extremely helpful.

Kind regards,

Tim.

This thread was pinged to us in the incorrect XJS section. As a moderator, I`ve moved it to this X350 section.

Firstly, I would suggest you go into the suspension section of the X350 site here and look at posts by myself and others in regard to the air suspension on these cars.

The suspension should lift immediately upon start up if the air compressor is fully serviceable. This is powered by an electric motor unit operating a pump. The pump piston is fitted with a piston ring. Given time and age, this ring wears out. I had to replace the ring on my pump after 11 years on the road and 90k miles covered. The pump is accessible by removing either the front bumper, or in my opinion quicker and easier by removing the near side wheel arch liner. A long pump up time is due to piston ring wear and inability of the pump ring and piston to seal in the cylinder bore. The problem is well known and what you describe is symptomatic of a worn pump. Those of us running these cars for several years will all know of this malady and many of us have indeed had to deal with the issue.

As I`ve said, look on the suspension section for more detailed descriptions of diagnosis, understanding and fixing the problem.

You have two choices. A new pump from Jaguar or via eBay is around £300 plus labour and VAT to fit.

If you are a DIY man, then given that the pump cylinder bore is still serviceable, Bagpiping Andy in Scotland makes a repair kit with new seals, ring and bolts. A Jaguar Main Dealer cannot supply or fit these parts as they are from the after-market. Kits, dependent on whether just a ring or a new cylinder head kit is ordered from Andy vary in price from around £25 to £75. Repairs of this type are feasible if you have time, knowledge and the desire to save money. The pump motor must be serviceable to allow such repairs. The kit is great for the DIY man but few garages will be bothered with giving a kit a try. They will want to fit a complete new pump. The choice is yours.

Mike
[/quote]

[davidr]

Hi Tim - I agree with Mike. By far the most likely explanation is the piston ring in the pump. If you know one end of a spanner from another then it is a £25 fix needing only a basic tool kit.
If you don't have that ability then a reconditioned replacement pump will cost you about £300 plus a couple of hours labour at a specialist at around £65 per hour + VAT
I wouldn't even contemplate taking it to a Jaguar main dealer - they will charge you £404.50 +VAT for an exchange replacement pump or £621.95 + VAT for a new one. Then there is the labour at £130 per hour + VAT. And that's how a £25 DIY job becomes a bill from a main dealer of over £1000! The end result is the same. The difference? You have a bit of dirt under your finger nails or you sit in a plush showroom where a good-looking young lady makes you a cup of coffee. Maybe the most expensive cup of coffee in your life?

[J44EAG]

In fourteen years of Jaguar ownership, my car has never been anywhere near a Main Dealer except for a pit stop to pike up a few parts. I`m in and out in five minutes before anyone gets a feel for my wallet!

Any maintenance that I have not done myself, has been completed by a local Jaguar Independent operator. Much more personal and not as vicious on the labour rates.

Mike

[Tcollis]

Hi Tim - I agree with Mike. By far the most likely explanation is the piston ring in the pump. If you know one end of a spanner from another then it is a £25 fix needing only a basic tool kit.
If you don't have that ability then a reconditioned replacement pump will cost you about £300 plus a couple of hours labour at a specialist at around £65 per hour + VAT
I wouldn't even contemplate taking it to a Jaguar main dealer - they will charge you £404.50 +VAT for an exchange replacement pump or £621.95 + VAT for a new one. Then there is the labour at £130 per hour + VAT. And that's how a £25 DIY job becomes a bill from a main dealer of over £1000! The end result is the same. The difference? You have a bit of dirt under your finger nails or you sit in a plush showroom where a good-looking young lady makes you a cup of coffee. Maybe the most expensive cup of coffee in your life?

Thanks David, very much appreciated. I agree with you both re a main dealer. I found a Jag specialist in Derby called Joe at CIB Motors and he has fixed it for me. It was a faulty sensor and damaged wiring to the pump.