2003 Super V8 - Wife says I am just stupid!

[l7410819]

Seeking Guidance on a 2003 X350 Super V8 (my boyhood dream of a car)

This post marks the beginning of my journey as a member of this excellent community. Having spent two years with an S-type V6, 3L auto, a passion for these magnificent machines is now rooted in me. The journey with the S Type, filled with joy and a lot of learning, has now seen an investment of approximately £2,500 to elevate the car to a satisfactory standard.

The reason for this post is to seek advice on my latest acquisition (not popular with my lovely wife!) - an X350 Super V8 Jaguar. Priced at £5,500 with a mileage of 107k, this vehicle presented an intriguing prospect I could not resist, and I have to admit I bought it on impulse but also as a personal project. Its service record ceased in 2017, after which it has covered a mere 12k miles, with no service based on time since then. Despite some disclosed issues, the price point suggested to me it was a reasonable investment or a long-term project. It seemed to drive well on the test drive, and the supercharger kicked in with no apparent issues (but then again, I had never driven an STR, XJR or Super V8 before!).

In May 2023, an auto electrician report highlighted several concerns:

Non-functional cruise control is indicated as a fault on the dashboard. It definitely does not work.

The driver's door fails to open post-engine shut-off, requiring manual unlocking from outside. It is intermittent.

A malfunctioning fuel gauge, potentially involving sender unit issues.

Surging and hesitation, possibly due to ATF leaks at the hoses to the oil cooler? The technician stated that he was not knowledgeable about the model, so I think he is talking about the supercharger.

The need for replacement of suspension bushes and boots. I think this is to be expected?

Upcoming attention is required for brake pipes.

Slight seepage in the steering rack.

Nearside rear ABS ring rubbing against the sensor.

AC dye signs at the condenser joints.

There is a slight play in the front shocker bottom bushes (noted in the MOT advisory on April 27, 2024)

While these issues are diverse, they seem manageable, considering the purchase price. However, as someone with limited experience with this specific model, insights from seasoned Jaguar enthusiasts would be invaluable. Any advice on the likely cause of these issues, potential solutions, and general Guidance on what else to be aware of would be greatly appreciated - possibly belts?

Thank you for welcoming me into this community. I look forward to learning from your experiences and contributing to our shared passion for Jaguars.

Kind regards,

Mick

[Davidqhog]

Hi Mick,

Welcome to the joys of X350 ownership!

If it helps dispel any worries, my SV8 has done 250,000 miles and mostly runs very well.

That surging you talk about. A common problem is the torque converter wearing. Anybody here would recommend getting the transmission at least serviced (new fluid, new filter and case) or, even better, flushed and refilled. That may cure the surging. Also, get the transmission software upgraded by your service team. Transmissions are 'sealed for life' but should be serviced every 60,000 miles.

My TC is definitely on its way out and I'm saving up for a new TC and a transmission rebuild!

Good luck!

DQ

[PaulGover]

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The reason for this post is to seek advice on my latest acquisition (not popular with my lovely wife!) - an X350 Super V8 Jaguar.
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In May 2023, an auto electrician report highlighted several concerns:

Welcome! I've put comments below where I have experience:

Non-functional cruise control is indicated as a fault on the dashboard. It definitely does not work.

That's interesting. The throttle on these cars is "fly by wire", so cruise control is just software and sensors controlling the throttle actuator, not bellows and linkages like on older cars. So if it's not working, either some sensors are playing up, or something else is at fault. For example, my car has a habit of entering "Restricted Performance" mode due to an EGR issue, and that cancels cruise control.

The driver's door fails to open post-engine shut-off, requiring manual unlocking from outside. It is intermittent.

I think that's an MOT failure (as it's a safety issue in a crash - you might not be able to escape a fire).

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The need for replacement of suspension bushes and boots. I think this is to be expected?

Sadly yes. You'll find discussions on the subject in the appropriate part of this forum. Probably more expensive than you expect.

Upcoming attention is required for brake pipes.

Beware. The plastic coating on the steel pipes concentrates corrosion if there's damage to the coating. I had this on my 2008 car at 110,000 miles. It's a split circuit braking system, and the leak took out the front brakes, making for an exciting approach at 70 mph to a motorway junction roundabout. I replaced the damaged part with copper pipe using a flare tool and a pipe bender.

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Nearside rear ABS ring rubbing against the sensor.

It that's caused damage, that might be related to the cruise control issue, though you should see error codes from the OBD diagnostic port. If you haven't already done so, you should get someone to scan your car for problems, though beware that a less than perfect battery can cause a slew of errors, so check and replace that if necessary first, then clear all the errors, drive for a bit, and then scan to see what's new.
Sensors are reasonably cheap from motor factors and the like.

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