Foam packing in the lower sill side skirts

[BraeheadJag]

Folks, I am a new XJ 351 owner and not long after taking delivery, took the opportunity to get my new Jag protected underneath, using Bilt Hamber UB , hot spayed around all the exposed underside suspension and body areas. We discovered along the underside of the plastic type skirts,an emanating foam packing at various intervals along the sill length, on both sides. The foam nearest the front wheel arch being contained in a cellophane/plastic bag (for obvious reasons, I guess). Our initial bemusement at this discovery then faded as we wondered if this sound deadening insert was contained within a plastic cell running the length of the sill, or was the inboard mass of this foam packed right against the aluminium inner sill structure? I have contacted Jaguar with my query and, so far, the silence is deafening! You would not believe the difficulty in getting a simple reply to my question, or would you? Perhaps they are aware of my and others concerns regarding bodywork warranty? Whatever, I await their (perhaps guarded) response!

[J44EAG]

I can understand your concern about the possibilities of trapped moisture between the plastic bag and the vehicle structure. Aluminum is rather more resilient to corrosion than steel but nevertheless any salt within any moisture content is unlikely to do good wherever it is located. I recall a Technical Service Bulletin issued on X350 which required foam to be removed from part of one of the plastic under trays around brake pipes to the rear of the car. Trapped water within some very porous foam would set off corrosion and eat through the brake pipes at that point! Clearance of the said foam stopped the problem dead.

The foam used in the sills is likely to be of the "closed cell" variety...in other words its micro structure is so tightly bound that moisture ingress is almost impossible. That of course is highly desirable. Any separate surrounding bagging though is probably not! One has to consider whether cables or other components are located within the sills. Trapped moisture again will not be helpful.

Have you spoken to your supplying dealer about your concern? Might be worth a call or visit.

Direct response to customer concerns by car manufacturers is often disappointing. Their preferred response system is in most cases via their Main Dealers. Sadly, that is how it often is. I don`t think there is much we can do about that which is obviously frustrating.

I`m obviously one of the first members to see your post. Others with an interest in 351 matters will start to see your post in due course. Some may be able to offer further comment.

Please let us know the outcome of this please. We always need to know of issues and help build our knowledge pool.

All the best.

Mike K

[BraeheadJag]

Mike, I have contacted my supplying dealer and they have passed on my concern to JLR through their procedural channel. If and when I get a reply to my query I'll be sure to pass it on. Regards - Roger Key

[jagmanvaughn]

Keep us updated as we’ll publish this query in the magazine too.

Thanks

[ianoliver57]

Have a look at the XF forum under ‘bodywork’. There is a thread there ‘foam between outer and inner sills’. Same issue. I never had this resolved with JLR and traded the car last July. Seems to be common across the range?

Regards. Ian.

[J44EAG]

Here is Ians` original thread on the subject of XF sill corrosion.viewtopic.php?f=360&t=8874

To move forward and really see the scale of this issue, we need an XF and X351 owner to have a sill cover removed. Photographs would be useful. Any volunteers?

Mike K

[BraeheadJag]

Update folks - a total 'clam up' from both JLR and my supplying dealer on my X351 foam! Do you know what irks and bemuses me in equal measure about this topic and reading about owners ongoing F-Type underbody corrosion issues? I have a lowly Citroen Berlingo van as my runabout/ hack and this budget motor has a galvanised front subframe! Come on JLR, if Citroen can fit galvanised substructures on their cheapie vans it's about time to lift your game! Roger Key