Old Peter

Welcome to the club, Joanne. That is a very good buy for someone -- I will mention it to my son who has a lunatic cocker spaniel and an X Type estate. He is usually skint, though and lives in Lichfield. Regarads Peter.

Welcome to the club, Nathan. I have only just seen your earlier post, and your post a minute or two ago indicates that you have already done what I would have advised. The 2.7 diesel s type accellerates like a dream -- under load -- 4 adults and luggage doesn't bother it all -- and no difference when without a load. Let us know how you get on. Regards, Peter.

Hi Keith, David and I are at one with referring to the battery. I also noticed that your s type is an 07 plate, as is mine, and I would also check the age of you battery. I replaced mine last week, and it was just under 5 years old and was not seeming to hold a charge for very long. The diesel engine needs a good shot of electricity to start the car -- glow plugs etc, and with batteries lasting about 5 years a cold winter will take its toll on an ageing battery. Regards, Peter.

Welcome to the club, Tracy. Yes, there are quite a few women driving Jaguars and who are also cub members. Sat nav updates are something that many members discuss, and indeed always seem to get them from other sources than a Jaguar dealer. When I bought my s type I was advised by the salesman at a main dealer that you could get a new one from various sites on the internet, as Jaguar sold them for circa £160. I did this and the one I got cost me £29 including P&P, and it works fine. And to David, getting to know a good supplier is something the members like, and specific details are allowed. Regards, Peter.

Hi Peter, I replaced my battery just last week, as it was not holding a charge for more than 3 or 4 days. I got a Platinum 019 - a well recommended make very suitable for Diesels -- but largely because the auto accessory shop round the corner stocks them and is very helpful. I went to see him at 3.00 pm on Monday and it was fitted by 3.30 pm - cost £103.96. Again a sealed for life battery. Regards, Peter.

Welcome to the club, Willie. I was quite happy when I found my s type did not have voice recognition, as being from Lancashire I would have had to get to to talk properly. However, there are several members with great electrical skills, and I am sure Paul [Raistlin] will be able to assist. Regards, Peter.

Mine fires up beautifully with just a 5 second whiff of diesel and without any exhaust smoke. Peter.

Hi Robert, I changed from Pirellis to Goodyear Eagle Assimetric on my S Type and find them rather quiet with good roadholding in the wet. Them came top in a survey with Vreestein a close second. However, there are other tyres which members use and they will give your their opinions. Regards, Peter.

Welcome to the Club, Luis, My s type [an 07 plate] has them similar, but with one difference. Bulbs. They are side repeaters with bulbs in them. I would be inclined to check them out just in case. Regards, Peter.

Hi Leo, A bit like Shergar in front of a milk float!

HI Leo, You are quite correct. It is not the engine of a car that makes a vehicle that will tow a caravan, but quite a few other things. The manufacturer rates the XK8 as having 0% ability to tow., and my thinking is like yours. An XK8 towing a caravan can be a massive road hazard, and when you have seen a caravan overturning you don't want to see another. No matter what power the engine has the capability of the chassis is the key to what makes a tow car. A Land Rover Defender with a four cylinder 1998 Diesel will pull a large twin axle caravan, and a 5 litre F Pace will not, Peter.

Welcome to the club George. We have had several meets in the last three years. Hope fully there should be some interest around the Easter period. Regards Peter.

Just to save repetition --- But I would add a couple of thoughts. The DPF is getting the same sort of infamity [have I invented a word] that the Catalytic converter got in the seventies. There is no reason for the fear of it sooting up. A bit of preventative maintenance can make sure that it does not get full of soot. The burning off can be done in about 20 minutes every three or four weeks, and also there are several very efficient additives on the market, which, combined with premium fuel will make sure you never get the message that your DPF is full. Peter.

Good luck -- But do check with your insurance before you start the modification to the car. Peter.

I think the new battery has solved the problem!! Now the biggest issue is the rising price of fuel. Peter.

I think it is a sensor failure, David, but I don't know which side. Peter.

Hi Joan, I also use premium fuel in my car. There is another thing I did almost three years ago which was to have the car given a Terraclean service which cleans out the fuel system and cost them was £125. Preventative Maintenance is much better than paying a large sum to fix them after it is broken. I have only had the code P0402 once in 2016. When I first had it, the main dealer told me he could replace them if it happened again. Over 3 years later and about £20 spent on additives the car is running very smoothly and returned 49.6 mpg driving down to Dorset last Autumn. Regards, Peter.

Welcome to the club, Allan. I think you will certainly enjoy the XF - a worthy replacement for the S Type. I hope you will enjoy the club as much. Regards Peter.

Welcome to the Club, David. Just click onto your details on the left then look to the top right when the new page comes upfor "Edit Profile" and take it from there. Regards, Peter.

Hi Antcaw, My worry in using the XK8 as a tow car is basically due to the towing limit applied to the car by the manufacturer. The XK8 get a 0kg rating from a site which I read yesterday. The kerb weight rule of 85% for the towed caravan/trailer must be nullified by that inaction. A friend of mine tows a large caravan with a 2 litre diesel Freelander quite comfortably, but when I used a 2.5 litre Rover it was limited by Rover to 1400kg, There is also another issue which is affected by the wheelbase of the car which is the downward pressure on the tow ball by the caravan -- too much or too little could cause serious handling difficulties. Engine pulling power is also another issue. I was thinking of buying a Chrysler some years ago. The car itself weighed about 2500 kg and the 3 litre engine had plenty of torque but Chrysler limited its towing limit to 1500kg. My feelings are to stay within the limits from the manufacturer and the fact that you cannot buy a towbar for the vehicle itself. I think that would affect its legal status. Regards, Peter.

I think that inspector Frost is in the Bristol Area, David. I recognised the M4 bridge in one episode.

Hi Joan, The 2.7 Diesel V6 has two EGR Valves one each side of the V6 engine. Apparently is is a mucky job, and I have had the code P0402 crop up a few times, I nave used a Wynns Spray into the air intake. Just take out the air filter and with the engine running when warm at 1200 rpm spray in the whole can. Recently however, I have used a fuel additive - a certain amount each fill up. It is called Diesel Auto Max and it is fro Millers Oils and readily available online or Halfords. P0402 is a cumulation of exhaust gas i.e. a sticky valve - sticking shut. A good blast occasionally -- 3rd gear selected on the J gate for 10 minutes can clear it, or use the additive. Let us know how you get on. Regards, Peter.

I use my S Type for just under 7000 miles a year as we just have the one car nowadays, being retired. In the 3 and a half years I have had it I have had to spend a few shillings on a couple of bulbs, a new water pump and a new battery a couple of days ago. Getting in and out of a low car is a bit of a test at times even though I am just 5'6".! Regards, Peter.

Welcome to the club, Arshad, I am not a mechanic, but the dust covers are there for a reason. I would be inclined to check out the cost from an Independent Jaguar Garage to keep the labour cost down. Regards, Peter.

Hi Russ, My Son had the same problem with his 14 year old Skoda -- the part on eBay was not expensive, but he wedged the window up and then bought a Jaguar! I would also check out Breaker Yard. But there is a member, Denis [The Jag Den] who might have one. Regards, Peter.