1995 Jaguar XJS 4.0 Reg: RIW8250 Engine Number Location

[dgrahamenquiries100]

Good evening everyone,

A friend of mine is buying a 1995 Jaguar XJS 4.0 and wants to know where the engine number can be found on the block to do his checks.

Also, please could you advise what the correct VIN plate should look like and where it should be located?

Furthermore, please could you advise any particular issues to look out for with this model XJS?

I hope you can help as I will be en encouraging my friend to join the JEC after his purchase

Many thanks

Regards,

David

[ptjs1]

David,

First of all, are you absolutely sure that it's an XJS? The DVLA website seems to indicate that it's an X300 XJ saloon? If it is an XJS, I would suggest that he checks how it was registered with the DVLA on import as it's implying that it's a saloon. IF he does buy it, he may need to get the DVLA record amended.

Anyway, I've responded below on the basis that it really is an XJS.

The engine number is stamped vertically at the front of the block, on the right-hand side, just in front of the chrome exhaust heatshield. See the photo below for an example of my car. The VIN plate is visible through the windscreen on the LH side of the dash. The VIN is also stamped into the horizontal front ledge of the plenum chamber, visible when the bonnet is open. Effectively the centre of the closing panel of the bonnet.

As regards areas to look at, I assume your friend is knowledgeable about the model or has read up on it. There are naturally areas of potential corrosion, that all XJS may suffer. Without wishing to worry you, starting from the front:

- The radiator lower support panel. Difficult to see with the spoiler undertray in place
- The front subframe, particularly the front spring seatpans
- The hidden reinforcement panel on the inner wings just below the opening where the top mount of the shock absorber is visible.
- The scuttle / plenum chamber, windscreen flange and A-post. The give-away sign is any tiny bubble of rust where the lower windscreen chrome meets the scuttle. This indicates a much bigger hidden problem
- The attachment of the front wings to the sill
- The sills, particularly where the lower edge is welded to the floorpan
- The front edge of the floorpans. Easier to see with the carpets and underlay removed, rather than underneath
- The front seat-belt mounts, sometimes visible underneath, or by lifting the carpets inside where the belt mount is bolted
- Rear wheel arches. - any bubbles indicate a lot more hidden underneath
- Rear trailing arms and bushes
- The rear valances, although this is less likely (and difficult to see) on a 1995 big-bumper car.

As regards the mechanics, the engine and gearbox are very strong if they have been well-maintained. Equally the rear diff, although any whining will require a rebuild.

The MoT history on the car seems really quite good. I assume that it's a Japanese import that was brought into the UK in 2016?

Anything else, just ask.

We always recommend that prospective owners should join the club BEFORE they decide on a purchase, to ensure they end up with the right car!

Good luck

Paul

[dgrahamenquiries100]

Hi Paul,

Thank you very much for your detailed reply.
Yes, it definitely is an XJS, but I note the same XJ discrepancy on DVLA so I'll get him to have that amended as he has now bought it I understand. As for its origin, (RIW) 8250 is a County Londonderry plate so it originally came from Northern Ireland.

Thank you so much for the list of things to look out for its going into his local garage this week so that will be most useful, and whist I agree he should have joined JEC when he was still looking for an XJS I'll certainly make sure he joins now

Thanks again

Regards,

David