Lord Sladacre

The radiator on my 2003 S - type is leaking , topping up with coolant 250 ml on a aily basis pretty much. I intend to use Radweld until the 13th Jan - service date. i am of the opinion that replacement of the rad may well be more cost effective than a repair at the garage. Vehicle Replacement Parts (VRP) of Leicester, off er new rads at £51.70 !! Seems to be a higly regarded supplier in terms of quality / reliability. Do other members have experience of VRP or other thoughts please on how best I might proceed. Grateful to you all asusual. Thank you, Dominic.

Hi All, Sorted how to disemble the centre console. Terrific video on you tube - explains all. Now to find the vibration / rattle !! Dominic

Hi, Does anyone know how to remove the centre console on the 2003 S - Type - remember the electronic handbrake lurks here). I have a rattle seems to be coming from the region of the auto gear stick. Are there screws or clips - i have heard of needing an insert, what would that be ? Any advice or video reference would be extremely welcome. Just endured a round trip to Kent from Dorset - with the rattle / vibration, quiet on smooth roads (not many of those left) - rattles otherwise ! Many thanks, Dominic.

Hi Mike, Many thanks for that - very reassuring to understand it is a terrific GB. I shall look at replacing solenoids and cleaning the multi cable connectors. Thanks again Dominic

Hi Mike, No i checked that - my first thought. I have been out this morning in it - Iput it in 2nd and then moved it slowly between all gears before moving off. It seems fine now !! Thank you for your thought, I appreciate it. Have a good day Dominic

Hi, I have recently experienced the gearbox reluctance in changing up from first to second gear. The engine revs mount to 4k approx - the car continues in first. I remove foot immediately and second is then engaged. This occurs intermittently - when pulling away from the lights for example. I had changed the XF fluid, gearbox sump and filter back in 2020 at 78k miles. The car has covered 101k miles to date. Any advice or diagnosis from memebers would be most welcome. Thank you Dominic

Thanks for that. Useful info of which i was unaware. i shall call the bodyshop and get them to check the drain. Kind regards Dominic

Hi Russ, Thanks for the input. I appreciate it. Probably over the top - but I have covered just about all the mechanicals so figured it was worth doing. Will never recoup the investment through a sale - but that is true for us all. I am ascertaining the new panel cost and where the fabricator is not a fan of chinese kits for sills etc he is making them, same for the lower arches. £300 of the cost is wheel refurb - so not all bad !! Thanks again, Regards Dominic

I have owned my S -Type for 7 years and love it. I am sure this is not unique, however, may be of interest to fellow owner members.. My Dec 2003 S - Type, through initial and visually corroded, bubbling lower wheel arches - on closer inspection, more work was required. The outcome is both outer and inner sills to be replaced, both rear arches and the drivers floor pan section. The work is being undertaken by a highly competent fabricator and welder based at Crossways Garage Bodyshop, in High Woodsford, Nr Dorchester. The likely cost is circa £2.6k inc vat. They are taking photos prior, during and on completion. The emphassis is upon the strength of steel used / pre formed or fabricated (to be confirmed with the welder) , the protection prior to welding and the addiditonal protection after welding, and of course the visual finish of the arches. Others, I know, have faced this dilemma many times - is the car worth keeping? In my case I think yes. i have spent on the services / maintenance of the engine and underside components, over the year,it is three owners (including me) - always previously serviced by Jaguar / specialists, is 3.0 petrol, in seafrost green, heated seat, heated screen and electric lumber supports.............whats not to love?. If i can assit others in recommending the bodyshop or with more detail feel free to ask me, i shall do my best to assist.

I would be extremely grateful if any member could recommend a supplier of high quality replacement sills, both inner and outer. I also need the lower front rear wheel arch panels - evidence of "moth" attacking. The well known corrosion problem is endangering the life of my 2003 S - Type. SNG Barratt can offer LH but not RH neither can jaguar. I have a very competent fabricator garage inline prepared to do the work c £3k. Scary, but no viable alternative. Any all help much appreciated. Thank you. Dominic

A good end to a very irritating and frustrating day by the sounds of it. Coolant effect interesting. I must say I keep a constant eye on it, even keeping a bottle in the boot to top up. Like to keep it at max. Have a good week. Regards Dominic

Oh Dave that car park episode, for an hour is just too much. Then having to accept a bound to be mpg degrade to that extent is beyond unreasonable !! Sorry it was such a doubly whammy. Things can only get better (drier) for us all - a few clear bright days will help you with the planned Honda work too. Take care and chill this w/e, Regards Dominic

Hi Dave, 115 miles Dorchester to Draycott, round trip - very busy and mixed traffic flows 27.5 mpg overall. Just as the book says on for those conditions. Very smooth drive 1,750 revs @ 60 mph. I hope that you had a good day as well. Have a good w/e Kind Regards Dominic

Hi Dave, Many thanks. indeed Draycott is around 120 miles round trip on a good mix of A class and country roads. I am looking forward to it and will let you know, mpg etc. Thank you for your interest always. Regards Dominic

Hi Dave, The car returned @ 1600 hrs. Work done: New CAT, new plugs, manifold gaskets, oil change / filter. they had quoted for pre / post sensors - but decided that the originals were in good condition and functuoning as they should, so did not fit. They reckon the originals are better quality than the after market. The bill was £1300 - although they had mistakenly transposed the estimate which had presumed a sensor change - i chaecked when i got home and will now get a £235. refund tomorrow, spoken to them on the phoine. The car drives so much better, difficult to describe. Smooth - a real Jaguar. Funny, i recentl came home from Yeovil and thought, that wasnt very enjoyable. The car seemed laboured, poor mpg, only 24, as if i had the brake on one wheel, uncomfortable. there was nothing in unison - I like to think that i am atuned to engines / gearboxes / brakes and axles ! This afternoon felt right !! The overall bill will be abot £1100, good value - time will tell, if she needs more in time, i will do it ! i will be gonig to Draycott, Somerset on Friday - so can monitor performance / mpg etc. Looking forward to no lights, particularly EML - seen it for two years !! Regards Dominic

Hi Dave, That is a great story !! Fantastic, thanks for sharing. I fully take your point - I am simultanaeously trying to reduce an unexpectedly large tax bill, due at the end of January ! Many things seem to financially conspire against us, just at the wrong time. I appreciate i might be back doing the other cat shortly plus sensors......but I have to take the risk it wont be next month ! I appreciate your advice and thank you for your continuing interest. You have helped me greatly. Hopefully the car will be back on Tuesday / Wednesday this coming week. I shall certainly give you my first impressions upon driving it. Thanks again Dave, Kind regards Dominic

Hi Dave, Thank you - Brilliant. They intend to do 2 sensors (£100 each) - pre and post on the dead cat and replace the cat. All new plugs. They have had the manifold off - and will replace the gasket. £1200 in all. I shall request an oil / filter change - good thinking !!. Will keep in touch, thanks again for the benefit of your impressive knowledge, I appreciate it. Kind regards Dominic

Hi Dave, still awaiting a costing of the work on the Jag. It seems from a garbled message yesterday that one of the cats is burnt out - sensors may be u/s. As the car went into "reduced performance" on Tuesday and misfired badly, they want to replace the plugs as well. I remain far from convinced of the voracity of all of this - but we shall see. i do entrust the garage witghh all the work, over the last 6 yrs. Difficulties have only recently arisen - since the EML light. The garage agree with you that this has compounded a number of issues. i will keep you posted. Kind regards Dominic

Hi Dave, Indeed. I recall I could see the spray jet (drivers side) hitting the lamp - many moons ago. I will let you know of course how Tuesday / Wednesday goes and what the findings / remedy is. Good - so no snow for you, same here. have a good w/e Kind regards Dominic

Good morning Dave, You are right. Initially I had the ignition on 2, and nothing happened re jet washers. i then started the engine and tried again - still nothing. The only positive was that my assistant didnt get wet !! The EML/DSC issues are hopefully to be resolved from Tuesday next. The car goes in @ 1600 on Tuesday - saves me getting it there for 0700 next day! I shall of course keep you posted accordingly. How are you managing in snowy Suffolk? A beautiful county - some good pictures on BBC in snowy conditions, but rarely convenient for those that need to move around! Kind Regards Dominic

Hi Dave, i did have dipped on, engine runnig, Lynne at the ready to grip the sprayers. Nothing happened ! The araldite worked - despite the temperatures. I fully understand and it goes against the grain not to proceed to get the washer system working again - as it once did in my early ownership. Purely funds. The spreadsheet tells me that absolutely everything that i have had done, wishbones, rear suspension, arms, CV's mots, front coil springs all maintenance and services, plus waxoyl - plus purchase in 2017 (£2.5k) - i have "invested" £12.5k over 6 yrs and 40k miles. next week EML / sensors - cats and dmc could be £1200. My a/c stopped shortly after purchase. Required various drive motors which were hard to source. Eventually got them in the USA, £600. I hope your experience will be better than mine. Kind regards Dominic

Hi Dave, Thanks again ! I got my glamourous assistant , igniton on 2, dipped lights on and press end of stalk - I said Dave advised this !! - to grab the bugger if it showd itself, it didnt - nor did she get wet. The latter i was grateful for or I might now have a limp. !!!! i araldited the bugger on, a sin I know. Why get a crazy weak system up and running? i attachea shot of my assistant (May this year at premier Air Show - Biggleswade - with Jag). Have a good week, Kind regards Dominic

Hi Dave, I think you are right. i called them at just after 0700 this morning - all very well received, they want the invoices for work done, spreadsheet and everytging that I have since ownership - which is massive since 2017 !! All very impressive. Booked in from 1630 hrs on Tuesday 05 Dec - for Wednesday / Thursday. Today the n/s headlamp jet washer cover fell off whilst washing the car. The previous garage obviously had broken the flimsey clips which fit it to either the original jag part or the cruciform (missing) that attaches between the jets - when they removed the bumper to fit the n/s headlamp. i have a suspicion that the washer system has become u/s. If it doeas not push the covers off (I shall try it tomorrow) i am tempted to glue the cover back on. Will I be banned from the S- Type Club ????? Is this sacrilidge? Just not sure i can afford the upcoming EML , DSL bill - as well as this on top ! The joys of motoring.............. Thanks Dave for your input - i really do appreciate it. Regards Dominic

Hi Dave, Thank you - there is i am convinced much in what you say. My strategy is to speak with the garage tomorrow 0700 - book it in. i can relate the story so far and provide work sheets / invoices - purely for the history. i think it is key that i start with rectifying the constant appearence now over many mnonths of the EML. It is the cat / lambda sensors i had removed and cleaned - didnt do the trick some month back. Bite the bullet replace the cats and see what the codes / DSC issue is. i think lioke you it is in layers - resolve one better expose the other or next issue !! I will keep you posted, have a good week. Regards Dominic

Hi Dave, I'm very grateful to you - you really shouldnt have spent the time on locating this !! Today driving from Dorchester to Beaminster (visiting our son, partner and 11 mth grand daughter) all was well and then, yes, the "DSC Not Available" light illuminated - and remained on. As i had had a new "ABS Fault" sensor fitted to the code identified wheel (o/s rear) last week, the lights did not progress to "ABS Fault" or "Gear box Fault" - so the sequence was broken. I swill book the car in to Crossways Garage (Woodsford) on Monday, with a list of current / update on work as it is a new arrival for them. They come very well recommended - although not Jaguar specialists. Thank you for your advice and patience ! I will keep you posted. Regards Dominic PS: Southwold - I believe you are right !