1974 series 2 4.2 difficult to start after 60 mile run

[mike020150]

These series XJs really get under your skin, don't they? Even today, they feel special to drive even if they are no longer the fastest machines around. It would be great to see you succeed and bring the XJ to a JEC event this year. Mike.

[Andy P]

I have been watching repeats of minder from the seventies lately and watch how graceful the silver XJ6 looks and glides along the road with Arthur Daley at the wheel and what presence they had then , before many rotted away or ended up on the banger track, what sacrilege !

Hi Paul,you can't go wrong with Minder for some nice nostalgia and each episode will make you smile at something in it.
A great tonic I find to cheer you up a bit.
Take care and stay safe.
Andy.

[supersonic62]

Hi Mike , they certainly do that. Yes it would be nice to rock up to a meeting this year as the last one was 2019 at Blenheim Palace although I did attend in my 1989 Jaguar Sovereign a car I have owned for 12 years and known for most of it`s life. I nip on to the XJ40 forum when I need help with that lol. I must admit apart from the high pressure power steering hose ( swan neck) and the pressure due to the brake accumulater losing fluid a few years back and the 2 front door handles ( a weakness they suffer from) I replaced with brand new last year( had bought some years earlier)the old girl starts on the button every time,its like being in a timewarp inside as the interior looks like a 12 month old car along with the smell. The ride I feel is smoother from the series 2 and I get to see that everyday as I have it as the screensaver on the laptop, so the paint shines and the chrome sparkles, whatever is happening outside lol. Yes Andy your right always something to make you smile and a car you see that you remember someone owning near where you lived and takes you back to those times and then you remember just how long ago that was. Yes it has to be the year to get this niggles sorted as with issues happening around the world, you never know what the future holds,stay safe,regards Paul

[marcusgoody]

Does your distributor have condenser in it? Many years ago I had an MGB and after fitting a new condenser points etc it still did the annoying thing of going to 'tick-over' - and wouldn't rev when trying to emerge from a crossroads! It also cut out completely on occasion.

I took it to a garage - who fitted a new coil and diagnosed a faulty fuel pump!! I couldn't afford one at the time so drove it home and started again. I replaced the (new) condenser with a genuine Lucas one (instead of, I think, an Intermotor) and 'Hey Presto ' it never missed a beat all the way to Casablanca via France and Spain. This in 1976!!!
The moral of the story is - Don't ASSUME that a new part is going to be perfect and start replacingother things.

[supersonic62]

Hi Marcus, the car had an illuminition electronic sysytem fitted approx 1980`s and I had a new illuminition system fitted 2018/19 after being told by the garage it had failed, so we don`t have the points in the system, so we wouldn`t need a condenser as I have been led to believe.But on changing the rotor arm ( without the rivot ) over the years as you do the condenser is still in place.Then I ask the question, why would it still be in situ if it serves no purpose , does it still play a part ? And yes I get the moral of the story as to regarding replacing with new ,just because you have purchased a new component doesn`t mean it doesn`t have the capacity to fail.The distributor is tucked snuggly where it is it and it doesn`t help having hands like shovels in order to access this area lol. But we have come this far and as the weather improves it can be investigated further, regards Paul

[supersonic62]

Hi folks
just thought I would give an update as to what progress has been made since I was last on here. I rang a company who sell classics of various types and generally very low miles in the Peterborough, Cambs area some almost look as good as new and enquired who they use to do any mechanical work if required. By now it was the start of august and I hadn`t made any headway with my issues. The chap I spoke to mentioned a company called " Project Heaven" who had looked after a relatives of his TR6, and I thought twin carbs (a bit of the issue I had been having) they are based on the Peterborough/Northampton border and are classic car specialists and I went to see them and explained the issues I was having and said they would look at it. I had it trailed to them on the 8th of August. They not only deal with mechanical problems but restoration work as well and it is all done in house, so nothing is farmed out. They have several items on youtube on the website that are quite interesting. So far, they have replaced the coil for a blue bosch type apparently the businesss ( I had replaced 2 in less than 3 years .Quality replacement parts do seem to be an issue at times). I had asked for the fan belt to be replaced, offside front shocker bush as rodent had taken a fancy to it , ( I had replaced nearside) and replace the rear SU rear float for ethanol proof one as I had changed the front one. The tension of the drive chain had been checked and was ok.The front brakes apparently were not up to spec so they have been replaced. So I will be in touch this week to see where we are and hopefully will be home very soon. Possibly it`s thrown up other things, let`s hope not. These old motors certainly keep you on your toes and you can never take anything for granted. I will give update as soon as know more, regards Paul

[mike020150]

Keep the faith! It will all be worth it in the end. They are great motors to drive. Mike.

[supersonic62]

Hi Mike, yeah cheers I know it will be worth it in the end ,to have it running and as it should. And they have just rang me to say it`s ready ,just waiting to be cleaned and I am able to pick up late afternoon. Just got that feeling I know I shouldn`t but is it going to make it home without issue ( approx 37 miles ). I must think positively lol. The next time I post on here it will be all good I`m sure, regards Paul