Jaguar XJ8 Wurther's Original Edition
I put a new rear number plate on it today, because it was offending Jimmy and he was bullying me online <sadface>. It was delaminating and looked shit, but it was the original dealer supplied plate from July 2000. It will live on in my random pile of old number plates somewhere in the back of my garage.
When I went to buy it, I noted the sunroof wasn't working. Seller described it as "a bit temperamental". I've not had a sunroof in a car for donkeys years so wasn't really bothered if it worked or not. But I thought I'd drop the roof panel and have a look, see if it was anything simple. The big gaping hole where the motor should have been was a bit of a giveaway, diagnosis wise. CBA to fix it.
Cooling system - I had a feeling there was an issue with this, as I'd never seen the two rad fans run. It doesn't overheat, but I'd not let it sit and idle much beyond 90 degrees because seemed dangerously pointless. There are two fans, controlled independently in conjunction with a "control box" in the front bumper, which takes input from the A/C pressure sensor and the coolant temp sensor. With the A/C on it should run the fans in low speed all the time, and kick into high speed if the temp goes over 90 ish. With the A/C off it should start the fans in low speed at around 90 ish and kick into high speed around 110 ish. None of this was happening. The A/C system needs re-gassing though.
I found out if you pop the A/C pressure sensor connector off and ground two of the pins, you can test the control box and make it run the fans in both speeds. This I did and it checked out. So the fans are good and the control box is good. I know the temp sensor is good because I tested that. So it's quite possible it all does work but just needs regassing to bring the pressure sensor into the loop, or possibly regassing and a new pressure sensor. Both simple jobs. Issue downgraded to "unconcerned".
Interior - fixed both door cards that had been previously removed by an ape by replacing the fixings and putting them back in the right places. One was so butchered it's still got a bit of movement in it, but only a new door card will fix that, so it'll do as it is. Carpets still need a good wash, and drivers seat leather needs a good clean and treat. The rest of it is in very nice condition, save for the seat belts which need puling right out and mildly bleaching to get rid of some grubbyness.
Suspension - front shocks were replaced in 2019, the rears probably need doing they're getting a little bouncy. It feels like there's some play some front end bushes somewhere but it drives straight, pulls up cleanly in a straight line if some stupid c*nt in a camper van pulls out of a junction right in front of you. ABS also works. FFS. Given it's a big old luxury barge it corners surprisingly flat. I amused myself by stuffing it into a roundabout at a very unseemly pace and it just went round.
P6000 tyres. Will not die. Fronts are 10 years old
They're a bit worn on the edges and the sidewalls are cracking a bit. It needs a new set really but no urgently so. I've not driven it in the wet yet, though.
Gearbox. Well, this is where Maurice and I might fall out. It's got a noise that probably needs a Jag specialist to listen to. Changes ok though, smooth as you like. The oil was serviced in 2019 about 10k miles ago, and I'm wondering if it's low on oil. I could check this (and change it and the filter) myself quite easily, if only I could get the car high enough in my garage to do it.
I suspect low oil wouldn't make it do this though, only hasten it's demise. I am resigned to the fact it might need a gearbox rebuild which will no doubt top the £1500 I paid for it - but to be honest the rest of the car is so nice, and at this sort of price point it's always going to be a bit of a gamble.
So in summary, a bunch of niggly issues you might expect with a 21 year old 105k Jag, and possibly one big one. But I'm having a lot of fun wafting around in it and getting my mojo back working on stuff.
You settle up, I'll go get the Jag.
And it's one big sealed unit 
Gearbox filter and oil service didn't help ours sadly. 
