Old Peter

Welcome to the club, Rich. My son has a 2006 model exactly the same as yours - a real workhorse and a pleasure to drive. There are several other members in Corwall --- you could see them around. Regards, Peter.

On the car now -- 3 minute job.

Part now in box on the table.

I have had a small problem with one of the repeater side lamps on my s type. The little plastic clip has worn out and I indulged in a look at the Jaguar spares for sale on eBay, and eventually found one that could be a quick buy for £25. I made an offer of £10 as they are just a small piece of plastic containing a bulb. The offer was rejected as was my second offer of £15. I checked the price from David Manners, genuine new Jaguar parts suppliers, and found that their price was £23.02 inclusive of VAT. Peter.

I am very pleased to be able to tell members that Lancaster Jaguar, Tamworth are putting on an Event for the Jaguar Owners Club on Sunday, the 22nd of July, 2018 at their premises in Tamworth. While the event is titled "Midlands" it is open to all JOC members and I hope that a good number of members from all over the country are able to come. Lancaster Jaguar are based just off the A5, and are close to the M6, M5 and the M42. There will be plenty of parking space, as the Dealership will be putting cars into storage to make room for the JOC members. Lancaster Jaguar are going to present trophies for the best three cars, and are hoping that there will be some vintage and classic cars for all to admire, as well as the more modern cars that will be the future classics in the automotive world. Mandi Rawlings, of Lancaster Jaguar [ a member of the JOC] will also post additional information. I am looking forward to seeing as many members as possible on the day. Tamworth in a nice old town, and the Dealership is within walking distance of many shops which might be of interest to SMWBO. Regards, Peter.

Hi Carole, Good point made re expensive lawyers. I was a member of Employment Tribunals until I reached the compulsory retirement age of 70 and came across many claims for expenses by lawyers acting for other people. One Barrister claimed £2,400 for an hour before the tribunal to put forward a claim for costs when the Applicant had agreed to pay them. The Tribunal gave him £270. I felt that the "Legal" letter was filled with jargon and was written by someone pretending to be a lawyer. Regards, Peter.

Hi Nick, Don't sign it, but rather write to them [not email] telling them that you have statutory rights and you are not signing them away. Also tell them that they have seven days from receipt of your letter [send it by registered post] to transfer the £149 to your bank account or you will take your case to the small claims court and they will have to bear any costs you incur. If you want to, you could also tell the Legal company that they are outside of their rights to try to blackmail you and threaten to go to the Law society and report them. Don't prevaricate and just stay firm, and let us know how you get on. I once had a large Hotel chain delaying payment of an award by an Industrial Tribunal of £4000 on the basis that the Tribunal did not put a date on when the payment had to be made. The threat of the Small Claims court referring the matter to the High Court to instruct Bailiffs got a cheque by return of post. Regards, Peter.

Hi Geoff, Generally, I am of the same opinion as yourself, although I did fit a leaper after three years of thought, plus the fact that the Mk2 and S type of 1965 which I wanted when I first saw them in the sixties did include a leaper. A lack of money in 1965 prevented me from buying one, as a house came first, and 29 years of company cars kept me quite cheaply on the road. My S Type is a 2007 model. coming off the production line on the 13th March 2007 and being delivered to the dealer on the 28th of the same month, and other than the leaper all it has had done to it is an updated SatNav disc, and a detachable [magnetic] GB plate which stays in the boot when not abroad, plus two more powerful [205 more] headlight bulbs as there is an absence of front fog lights. There s also an AA badge - I am a member - on the bonnet. But as Ron says, each to their own, but sometimes, going a bit too far detracts rather than improves, in my opinion. Regards, Peter.

Finished the headlamps relatively successfully. I am disappointed that no cake has been delivered to my club [working man's]. I now don't think much of Royal Towns!

I hear that there is an event taking place in the South of England today close to the Alma Mater [not mine[. As I live in the Royal Town of Sutton Coldfield I am undecided whether or not to put on my Morning Suit and walked down to my club and drink some Moet. The other option is to refurbish my Headlamps. They are coming on fine! Regards, Peter.

Welcome to the club, Neil. I agree with you about the X Type -- Some mondoe parts do not make the car a Mondeo, in the same way that those Rolls Royces fitted with a Buick engine were never Buiks. But I would be careful about blanking off the EGR valve, and the new MOT rules come in tomorrow and a visual check on smoke will be made by the tester. It is uncertain whether or not the blanking of an EGR vavle will be a failure, but certainly if the emissions are higher that the tester thinks they should be and inspection of the EGR valve will be made. I cured the slight smoke from my son's 2.0D type with some Millers Diesel Eco Plus. Regards, Peter.

Hi Alex, The battery on the s type has to look after a lot of electrical bits, and should last about 5 years. I had some minor electrical issues when my battery was 4 years and 11 months old which were cured instantly with a new battery being fitted. Regards, Peter.

Getting back on topic, I was offered an extended warranty or something similar on my s type. It would have cost me over £2500 over 5 years and all I have needed to spend during that time is £135 to have a new water pump fitted. I would suggest that the AA and probably the RAC would be a much cheaper bet for around £50 a year. Regards, Peter. P.S, They would not know what "Spanners R Us" would mean in Dudley. "Spanners Am We" would be much better.

Hi Alex, Have you checked if the child lock is switched on -- it could be that simple. Let us know if that is successful. Regards, Peter.

Hi Gary, I think that you should be able to get the socket from a Jaguar main dealer by using the VIN number of your car. Regards, Peter.

Welcome to the Club, Jase. The 2.2 Diesel is a good engine and used on the XF. I would check that the EGR valve has not been blanked off, and the Diesel Particulate Filter [DPF] has not been removed as from 20th May 2018 either alteration mean an automatic MOT Failure. The car looks quite clean and straight, and although the mileage is above average it does look to have been a car that has given good service. Regards, Peter.

Welcome to the club, Phil. Joe has given you a link and also mention car breakers. I got a part for my son's X type from JagParts Europe [based in Liverpool]. I cannot give you the 'phone number as I am sunning myself with SWMBO in Madeira at the moment. Peter.

Hi David, and welcome to the club. Having a similar s type to yours I have had a look inside the engine compartment and decided that it it needs an expert. If is has been serviced regularly and good garage will note things like that. My car had a new engine while in Jaguar ownership at 21k miles so it will no need a cambelt change until next year. Regards, Peter.

Hi Dino, Jaguar recommend that the air conditioning/climate control should be set on auto -- switched on - all of the time which keeps the system nicely lubricated. I have always done this and my 11 years old s type has always performed well in summer and winter. Regards, Peter.

Northfield Jaguar --- 1163 Bristol Road South -- B31 2SL O121 411 1077 The auxiliary heater, which is diesel powered should only come on in cold weather. Regards, Peter.

Welcome to the club, Marty. I also have a 2.7 Diesel s type with 77k on the clock. I have just had a look at the back of the engine in my car and all I can see is the soundproofing neatly in its place. I would be inclined to find and independent Jaguar expert -- there is a garage in Northfield that seems to be well respected. Let us know how you get on. Regards, Peter.

Welcome to the Club, Stan. We have the same model year, and I also found some of the issues that you have found. As you say, the 2.7 diesel is rather quiet and a pleasure to drive, and being a diesel, it does not like starting in the cold weather if the battery is low. My car is on its third battery as they only last about 5 years, and since installing it 16 months ago I have only had one "Parkbrake fault" which was when the battery was low. My car had a new engine while in Jaguar ownership when it was three years old so I should not need to change the cam belt yet, but I did have to change the water pump 18 months ago. I don't think engines know how old they are, so I think that another trip should not harm it, but I would book it in on your return. Some owners have a problem with the DPF, but I have never had a problem and I put that down to using premium fuel and giving Morgana a longish run once a month or so. I have had a few issues with the EGR valves getting sticky, but have cured that by using a shot of Millers ECO plus for diesel engines which keeps the system clear. I think you will enjoy you s type as will SWMBO. Regards Peter.

Welcome to the club Alex. The XE is a nice car, and it is showing a lot of popularity amongst owners. The Jaguar experience is rather a good one. Regards, Peter.

I have just found out who it was ---- A young woman who refused to speak to me but just drove off. She had spent over 3 hours being pampered in a beauty salon round the corner.

Pity it is a Jaguar!