Big puddle...........Help!

[thereverend]

Hi all

I just drove my car today and the power steering became very noisy then heavy. When i pulled off my friends driveway a very large puddle of steering fluid (i presume) was left on the driveway.

Two things

1, As i haven't yet got a Haynes manual as it's in the post. Where are the possible causes i need to look for and where can i gain access to view them.

2, I have a very steep driveway and when i reversed her down it, the bottom of the front of the car grounded out. Could this have caused the problem.

So i really would like to know firstly where to look to see how bad things are

Hope you can help.

[dhdove]

Ah Reverend...........welcome to the XJS forum

I read your first post earlier today and was just going to post a witty reply (not quick? perhaps it's only running on six etc. etc.) when I saw this sorry tale.

Because of the ground clearance and geometry the car will tend to "bottom out" when going over sharp changes of slope especially if combined with uneven ground, if it was at the front it was probably the spoiler though if the springs are gone perhaps the crossmember..........it is unlikely that this would have caused the puddle of steering fluid unless something very drastic has happened.

As to the causes the easiest solution is to lift the bonnet with engine running and follow the hoses, high and low pressure to the source of the problem, which could be several. You may need a tub of power steering fluid if it's dumped all of the fluid out.

Since you are an "XJS virgin" perhaps if you post your locale someone from the Forum who lives closeby would come and take a gander at the car to see what's what. I'll be happy to do so if you're anywhere near Bristol.

Also please post year and model of the car in your signature so we know what we're dealing with

In the meantime I suggest you follow the links above and purchase service and parts CDs from Classic Parts - or obtain a hardback copy from e-bay etc. if you prefer. A Haynes manual will be of limited use as the XJS coverage is restricted to an addendum in the 12 cylinder saloon volume I think.

I am sorry that your introduction to the marque has had such an unfortunate start, at least if the car was unbelievably cheap you should have some spare dosh for repairs. I'm sure that between us we can get you sorted out one way or another

Best Wishes

DH Dove

[thereverend]

Firstly thanks for the tips.

I'm sure it's only the front spoiler and it was only the gentlest of scrapes anyhow.

I shall investigate under the bonnet tomorrow but only after i've fitted my new stays. I did have a quick look earlier but the night was drawing in and it was a bit of a fruitless task really.

I feel i will be spending a lot more time under there over the coming years, but i'm up for it if the old girl is too!

When my struts come tomorrow i'll be able to have a good clean up in there as well. 18 years of crud tend to mask a lot of sins and i hate dirty engine bays. It's always good to clean and inspect your car by giving a nice spring clean you get to know her just that little bit better don't you.

Will let you know in the morning what my findings are, once again many thanks.

[Brakebuster]

hi and welcome,

as DH says, year and model would be very useful in diagnosing any problems you have with the car , although suspension and body work are the same ( not withstanding convertibles and coupes `) the engines and accessories can vary by quite a bit...

if its a V12 there is a cooler mounted over the top of the front subframe on the left ( as if sat in the drivers seat aspect ), these can rot, and the hoses are only held on by clips, the rest of the joints are usually unions...or the rack could have busted a seal,

was the car in daily use before you bought her ?

the other things to make sure of is that its not engine oil from the oil cooler, this is mounted directly over the front spoiler behind the lower ' mouth ' in the grille , or it could be transmission fluid , as this is cooled in a section of the main radiator , the pipes run down the right hand side of the front chassis legs , but are quite well protected

the other thing is the coolant for the air conditioning, that is cooled in the rad mounted directly over the oil cooler and in front of the coolant radiator....when you look in through the front of the car, you dont see the rad, just the aircon cooling rad ( if it has aircon that is )

and just to make sure, check it isnt actually coolant.....you never know

BB

[thereverend]

Hello!

She's a 1990 XJS V12, i'm positive it's the power steering only as.

The fluid is the same colour as the PAS, and also the fact it's hard to move the steering wheel without making a sound like the titanic is sinking. Suggest to me this is what i now need to fix.

As far as i know she was used on a daily basis for the last 6 months by the garage owners wife. So she hasn'r been standing around very long.

The moment i get my new bonnet struts on i shall tell you all my findings.......Bit scared now.

But not as scared as having the bonnet shut on my head.

[thereverend]

Lordy lord am i impatient.

Experience tells me that when you "ground" the car it is usually as bad as you initially think. However thent eh brain tells you "oh i'm sure it's fine"

Well my struts haven't arrived today, but i have had a good look under the car. Impact point seems to have been a hose located behind the steering rack. The fluid is now directly under this part that looks like it has been hit backwards. Pipe looks slightly twisted. I guess even as a worst case scenario i may have caught the steering rack as well which may have caused another host of troubles.

Oh well, so as my first repair of many that i will be doing over my ownership. Is it fairly straightforward to remove and replace the poorly part.

I don't even know which hose it is yet as my haynes manual hasn't arrived yet.

I told you i was impatient. So when my struts arrive and my haynes manual arrives i will post again to see the best way of tackling my leaking beast.

[dhdove]

Rev

Look here...........

http://www.jaguarclassicparts.com/webap ... gory=20453

This is a page from the Classic Parts catalogue which is linked at the top of the page....it's well worth finding your way around it

Regards
DH Dove

[almcl]

Reverend

While not immediately familiar with your model, if gentle ground contact has caused contact with the steering rack pipes, there may be something else amiss. Not sure from your description whether it's one of the metal pipes or a rubber one? Assuming it's metal for the moment.

Depending on where abouts in Shropshire you are, there's some choice of solutions. A replacement rack (if required - may not be) can be had from a couple of sources. There's also a mobile Jag mechanic based in Shrewsbury. I've not had dealings with him myself but a number of JEC members within the region (website here) report good results. There are also a couple of specialists, at least one of whom gives a discount on production of a regional membership card.

If you have a flat space to work, some axle stands and a jack capable of lifting 2 tons (or more) together with some sockets and/or spanners, removal of the rack to either replace it, work on it yourself, or take it to someone else to work on , is perfectly feasible.

[thereverend]

Hi Almcl

Once again many thanks for the number for ACJ mobile repairs, he came he never replied. I had to work and left the keys with my other half for him to come and have a look. He turned up and then my g/f had to go to work leaving him under the car.

I've not heard from him since and that was about 5 weeks ago. I've called sent texts and nothing. So i still have a jag on my drive with a leaky PAS. Going to drive it to classic motor cars in bridgnorth soon and hope they will be able to fix it for me.

Strange though eh! Just in case i have checked to see if he is trapped under there but there are no signs of anyone so i'm sure he must be safe at least.

[thereverend]

Good news people.

Having taken my tank around to classic motor cars in bridgnorth, split low pressure hose diagnosed. New one being fitted as we speak, so i will e back on the road again fairly quickly. The other good news is that the "grounding out" of my car wasn't to blame, just age. It goes to show that it's always good to check the condition of your hoses on a regular basis. A lot of our cars probably have never had replacement rubber, and for the low cost of replacements it's always worth having a good delve aroud the car. Time spent there at home is time not spent at the side of the road with fluid leaking everyhwere.

So why not this weekend have a check to see if your hoses are in good condition, it can be a very worthwile thing to do.

[dhdove]

How Right you are Reverend.........

Low pressure power steering hose went on Libby's Cossie this week, block paving doesn't look so good now

DH Dove

[poprivet]

Glad it isn't more serious Rev.

Where I park mine I have an interesting collection of small puddles. There's some blue, red, black, and clear liquids in various amounts.

[thereverend]

Hello all once again.

This is starting to turn into a bit of a saga now. I posted this problem on Jan 17th. Now it's June the garage still has my car! Gaaaaah!

The initial work was done in a couple of weeks, however i wasn't able to collect the car for a few weeks because my work takes me away a lot.

Bottom line is when i was about to collect it they brought it out of storage and found the other side had also perished. Nearly 5 months on and i'm still without a car. Apparently everytime they order a new low pressure hose it arrives and it's not for my model.

It's really sad that we've had all this great weather and no car to use it in. Why o why when they have SNG Barrett just a few miles away they haven't sorted this by now is beyond me.

Question is if you were me what would you do?, i've had the car 8 months now and they've had it for nearly 5 of these. Starting to lose the love.

[poprivet]

everytime they order a new low pressure hose it arrives and it's not for my model.

Remove the hose and take it to a local hydraulic hose specialist, they will re-build it using the existing ends with new hose. Easy and likely a lot cheaper then an official replacement.

[thereverend]

Yes however the garage still have it and it's not easy for me to get over there. I miss my Coventry Rust Bucket!