Old Peter

Hi Leon, I think that it needs a new part. There does not seem to be a way to remove the filler from outside, but I think you have to take off the boot lining to do so. If you can locate the fixing screws, it could be a relatively easy job, providing you can source the part. Rimmer Bros is a good place to look and they are in Lincolnshire. Let us know how it goes. Peter.

Leon, as promised.

Hi Leon and welcome to the club. I'm guessing that the bit of plastic that connects to the flat metal springs has broken. I have just been out to my s type on the drive and had a good look, and see that it can wear. Mine does lock when the car is unlocked --- maybe I have not allowed for enough delay, or maybe the s type is not that sophisticated. I will take a photo of my filler cap and post it on the site. Peter.

Hi Martin, Trevor gets up earlier than I do! The servicing done by some main dealers does stick to the book, but many have the job done by trainees. Some of the older and most experienced mechanics do tend to either start their own business or go to work for specialists where their skills are more appreciated. I used to have a Rover Sterling and the main dealer price for servicing in 2001 was £325 + VAT. I found a mobile mechanic who had been previously employed and trained by the same dealer who charged me £75. He has looked after my cars ever since. But being fair, the two different main dealers from whom I bought my last two Jaguars did a very good service prior to selling them ----- It was selling them that was important! Regards, Peter.

Welcome to the club, Martin. The S type is a really classy car and a head turner. Trevor does not like the main dealers --- I also find them a bit expensive. There is a topic on Independent Jaguar specialists recommended by Members who are much cheaper. Regards, Peter.

I didn't get one from the main dealer from who I bought my car. When I bought it I didn't buy the service package on offer as I told them I would not be using them for car servicing and repairs. I think I was crossed off their list, Charlie. Peter.

Richard, I think the 2.2d has a chain same as the Mondeo . And I think you are right about the DPF --- it was fitted to later models but not earlier ones.

Welcome to the club, Dean. The x type is a good car, and good for a lot of miles. The first question is have you got the service history. That should tell you if the car has been serviced regularly. If you have never had a diesel before there are several things you have to ensure you do. First, never use supermarket fuel. You get a better mpg and a cleaner engine from forecourt fuel, and a diesel is more susceptible to what fuel you put in. You must also ensure that the DPF gets regenerated properly by making sure you give it a long run at least once a month -- over 50 mph for about half an hour. I had the Terraclean service done on my 2.7D about 2 months ago and it has made a difference -- well worth the £114 cost, and the diesel engine seems to like it. The thing you have to do now is to enjoy the Jaguar experience. Regards, Peter.

Welcome to the Club, Robert. The x type is a very good car [i had a 2.5 AWD Petrol manual], and I don't think that there is any particular fault you should look for. With only 43k on the clock and a full service history the only thing you could look for is what repairs it might have had, if there is a record on the service manual. You will enjoy the Jaguar experience. regards, Peter. Exiled Lancastrian.

I would not let the dealers put you off from buying a Jaguar, Richard, but you do have to be selective when you have repairs done. Since I retired over 15 years ago and the company car perks al went, my car has only been near a main dealer a couple of times when I couldn't avoid it. Peter.

Hi Chris, I have had a good look around all the websites I know, plus a few more, and I am not finding very much. One little piece of advice I saw was not to replace them unless you really have to. The diagram and detailed pictures I saw on fixya seems to have got erased in the last 8 months, and as fixya is a USA site there is not a lot there as diesels are not very common in the USA. I have tried You tube and there appears nothing about glow plugs in the S type. There is a company in Enniscorthy that supplies kits for glow plug work but they are for professional mechanics and very expensive. If there is not a specific problem with the glow plugs on your S Type sport I would not be inclined to change them, but rather use on the the cleaning procedures that now exist which can clean the plugs without removal. I will keep on looking. Peter.

Hi Kevin, I know companies in the West Midlands who will make anything for any car you name. There is one drop forge still knocking out con rods for the Hillman Hunter. They still make them in Argentina or somewhere like that. Peter.

Hi Adam, Your last suggestion seems the best/less costly. It seems that only resticking is required. Peter.

Hi Andrew and welcome to the Club. SatNav Updates sold me an update for around £30 and it works OK. I think it is the last version produced that is suitable for the X Type and S Type with touchscreen. [2012/2013]. It installed quite easily. I just put the disc in and it read it OK. Peter.

Hi Simon, I believe you can get a second hand interchanger from several sources -- Eurojags being one of them. As to fitting, I would be inclined to check out a good auto electrician in your area, as their might be some electronic wizardry to conquer. Regards, Peter.

Hi David, See my post above to get stickers. You will need to send Steve a PM with your full address. Peter.

Hi Simon, Welcome to the Club. After disconnecting the battery, the radio etc has a safety code, usually 4 digits, that will enable the radio etc to work. The previous owner should have it. If you bought it from a dealer they should have given it to you. There are garages that can find the code, but they will charge, as will main dealers. When you get the code, write it down somewhere safe for future reference. Regatds, Peter. Lancastrian in Exile.

Welcome to the club, Chris. Changing glow plugs is not the easiest of jobs, apparently. I say "apparently" as I don't get oily hands any more, but I did find a diagram on a web side called fixya, but I have since checked the site and someone has removed it. You have located the plugs, and the basic instruction is to go carefully. If you look back on the s type forum - about December 2013 - you will find some advice from members who have changed the plugs. I will continue to look around and let you know what I find. My s type is a 2.7D SE, and a couple of months ago I had the Terraclean process done on the engine and it has made quite a difference to both performance and mpg. The process costs circa £125 and could well be cheaper than replacing 6 glow plugs, as it cleans the fuel system thoroughly. Regards, Peter.

I am glad it is sorted out, Ray. Sometimes dealer/mechanics make mistakes. I had a brand new Ford Escort that was losing oil, and I found the day after I got it that the Rocker Box gasket was missing. Peter.

Welcome to the Club, VM. I have just read a review of an oldish XJR in the Quarterly Issue of GOOD MOTORING, the magazine of GEM motoring assistance. It tells me that you have a very good car! Regards, Peter.

Welcome to the Club Andrew. Your XJS looks very nice indeed. regards, Peter.

The issues mentioned were not specific to the XK and could apply to any of the Jaguar models and indeed, to many other cars. Paintwork, & laying up for the winter are not peculiar issues with just the Jaguar XK. I had both issues with my XR3i convertible.

The XK forum is about the XK model. Occasionally a new member, unused to the Club and the varied forums , may post a question or comment on what could be the incorrect forum. Rather than make an issue of something very minor in what after all is a friendly club, I prefer to let things lie. Being a retired horny handed son of toil - former steelworker and farm labourer - I am not too bothered about where people write or say things, but rather on what they say. Peter.

Good advice, Neil. The issue with batteries on the S Type has come up several times. There are loads of accessory shops and small garages who will check your battery free of charge. Peter.

The original post was concerning an XK8, with a specific problem concerning paint bubbling, and requesting advice. The original post post also referred to a comparison between several models, and comments with regard to that topic also received some interest, with owners of one of the models in question offering advice. I am aware that the topic was raised in the X Type forum, but I am not in the business of chiding a new member for posting a topic that could apply to any car in a forum titled "X Type Club". I hope that clarifies your comment. Peter,