Engine problem

[canning58]

Hi all I have a 2000 x308 3.2 v8 . Ihave this problem in so much as when the engine is hot i receive a restricted performance message flag up followed by a gearbox fault message which puts the car into limp mode. When this happens the engine makes a rattling sound from the top end.After letting the engine cool down & starting up again she purrs like a kitten as normal.Any ideas please......kind regards

[robv12]

ino this needs urgent attention

without the car here to see and listen to i would not want to comment

BUT, get this car to a suitable dealer, main or indepenadnt, with the correct diagnostic equipment, get then to scan it to see waht is throwing the fault codes

where in the Uk are you, maybe we can point you to some one who can help

[canning58]

Hi mate Thanks very much for your reply. The car has been connected to diagnostic equipment & has failed to throw up any codes! Therefore I have been advised by my mechanic that in view of the cars age and mileage( 124k) it could be a good time to throw in the towel & start again. Cos it could be a case of throwing good money after bad and getting nowhere. I must say that i,m inclined to agree.By the way i,ve used her a few times recently and she,s run fine. Will probably sell her for spares or repair. Regards Steve

[daveji]

This post reminds me of one a while back where a dealer told a member with a problem on his XK8 that "these cars are sometimes unfixable !".
If you want to keep the car I would suggest taking it to someone who knows the X308 better.
The Club can advise who these people are if you let them know where you live.

[canning58]

Thanks for the advice mate. I live in Erith KENT Regards Steve

[daveji]

Do not despair !! 124K is not a great mileage for a properly used, well maintained X308.
The key is regular, even if sparing use, and getting it well warmed up when it is used.
These cars do not like a lot of short journeys. If used mainly for pottering about take it for a good blast up a suitable road every couple or three weeks to "blow the cobwebs out".
It seems you have an intermittent problem, which are often difficult to pin down.
The complex electronics on these cars do "glitch" sometimes, but most are the result of reduced battery voltage. An underperforming battery can cause all sorts of wierd and seemingly random problems which seem unrelated, and come and go.
Because of this many of us use a CTEK battery conditioner (obtainable from the Club) when the car is parked up. These are especially useful in cold weather when even a good battery can suffer a drop in voltage.
I note the car has not misbehaved just lately,so I would use it as above.......and see what happens.
If the same problem happens again contact the Club experts for advice before you spend your money, and/or ring the Club office for advice on expert help in your area.
The "Recommended Suppliers" directory on this website was set up for just this purpose but is now sorely in need of updating. Its reliability is probably now questionable.
Have fun !

[canning58]

Thanks very much mate for youre advice. I will certainly act on the advice given. She doesn,t get used on a regular basis, only occasionally running to suffolk but most times sitting around for a week at a time,but always starting on the first turn of the key! such is the beauty of these cars. I will purchase the battery protection device and go from there.Once again many thanks for replying and brightening up my day!Regards Steve

[daveji]

Steve
Steve........a further thought.......has the gearbox had an oil and filter change ?

David

[GordonJ]

Steve,
I have an X308 and can fully agree with what David says about using the CTEK system. Money well spent and the CTEK even recovered my caravan leisure battery which was down to 8 Volts.

Gordon

[canning58]

Hi David The answer to your question is no, the gearbox is totally untouched as far as i,m aware.I,ve heared various views as to wether the gearbox should be tampered with as they are supposed to be sealed for life.Would like to hear your views on this subject. Kind regards Steve.

[canning58]

Thanks Gordon I,m in the process of purchasing one at this very moment regards Steve

[daveji]

Steve
It still amazes me how myths get so well established !
Jaguar marketing said the gearboxes were filled for life......not sealed for life.
It all depends on what they meant by "life". They do not seem to have defined it.
The gearboxes are not sealed at all. They have a drain plug, a level/filler plug, and replacement fluid and filters are available.
In practice.... advice from JEC experts, experience from senior members, and I believe advice "off the record" from ZF themselves, is that the gearboxes useful life can be very considerably extended with regular, proper maintenance.
Indeed, common sense suggests this should be true.
Bob Bate has written all this up in the magazine in the past, for all to read.
If your gearbox has not been maintained it is surely well into "terminal territory" by now and could well have started to show signs of giving up.
However.......still do not despair....the car is not necessarily a write off !
You have options, which will, as always cost you time and some cash, but it will be worth it ........if you want to keep the car.
I will PM detailed suggestions for you to consider shortly.

Best regards

[canning58]

Thanks David