Jaguar V12 distributor Seized - Check and service V12 distributor - How to tune a Jaguar V12 Part 3

Seized advance weights are a problem on Jaguar V12's that haven't had their distributor serviced regularly. This will cause the engine to not run right, it will be down on power and most likely overheat. In this video I show how to check over your distributor and service it.
How to set ignition timing: • How to tune a Jaguar V...
Support the channel: / livingwithaclassic
Follow on Instagram: / living_with_a_classic
Business contact: [e-mail]
Music used: Dancing Hearts - Anders Enger Jensen • Dancing Hearts
#jaguarv12 #jaguarxjs #jaguarxj12

[@wilfredruffian5002]

I wish this channel was around when I had my xjs

[@michaelstroud5745]

Thanks Adam. Picked up a 1981 XJS V12 3 months ago. Last used in 2007. Slow but steady progress toward getting it up and running. Have cleaned out fuel tank, sump tank and feed line to motor. Fuel now arriving under pressure and clean to the motor. My next effort was to replace the spark plugs, but on inspection found that the distributor rotor is stuck to its shaft. So I am dealing with that at the moment. I'll try your method of removal in the morning. Your videos are clear and can be followed with confidence.

[@chuckwebster3076]

Good job. Way to go Adam. You have made my new (1987) Jaguar XJ12 way easier to work on. Thanks so much. Chuck from Canada on the west half of our country.

[@irish-chokolat7665]

Hey Adam.. I am a new owner of a 1990 XJ-S coupe. Love these videos and have gained so much more confidence working on the beautiful V12. Also, I will mention you in our monthly publication as someone to watch and subscribe to. As the VP of a very large Jaguar Car Club, you are a valuable member of the classic Jaguar XJ community. Thank you!!

[@tvdinner325]

My rotor barely moves. Thanks for the info. I was taught a useful tip, to apply grease. When a tub of grease is getting low, drill a small hole in the lid, and use a small hobby paintbrush, to access grease through it. Store the brush in the hole, which cleans the grease and brush clean.

[@patricjonsson3695]

Love your shows! Hope that you invite me together with my black XJS -89 V12 for some event in Sweden when restrictions of Covid ends. I appreciate the specific V12 knowledge you give me!

[@elliotredwin7020]

Loving you video's in Australia, helping me get my XJS running again.

[@LivingWithAClassic]

Thanks for watching 😊

[@alanlindsay6518]

Incredibly usefull. Succinct and accurate. I am reassembling a Daimler Double Six that has been disassembled for years. It is a real jigsaw puzzle. These videos are very useful. Thank you for your effort Alan

[@LivingWithAClassic]

I'm really happy I can help! What year is your Daimler?

[@bespokeaddict]

Another vital tip of which I was previously clueless, I've never oiled sponge on any of my Jaguar in 30 years, I'm lucky, despite another area of neglect, my cars have been so reliable 🤣

[@LivingWithAClassic]

This issue is mostly on the HE engines since it tends to get a little warmer in that engine bay. I hope to be able to daily drive a Jaguar again soon 😊

[@motorcyclementor1785]

I've been having overheat problems on my 87 V12 HEI and have been concentrating on the cooling system but your video got me thinking. The car ran fine and lots of power but was maybe a bit stumbly at low throttle and seemed to run a little 'heavy' at idle. I removed the distributor cap and checked the rotor and it was actually fine much to my surprise. I decided to investigate the vacuum hose while the cap was off and traced it to near the rear of A bank but it wasn't even connected. There was a hose at the rear of A intake that was blanked off with a bolt. I couldn't see where it is supposed to be connected and so just removed the hose with the bolt in it and connected the loose distributor end to the manifold. The difference was noticeable straight away- the idle being much higher for a start. The good part is that my overheating issues are history even in 35 deg heat. I'm going to check the timing when I have time just to be sure but the car is much sweeter. Thanks very much for clue-ing me in. What baffles me is why would anyone deliberately disconnect the vacuum hose and blank off the manifold?.

[@MrXlskywolf]

This is Gerardo Ruiz, love your videos, this will help a lot when I check my, (1992 Jaguar XJS V12

[@LivingWithAClassic]

Thank you Gerardo! Hope you are enjoying your new XJS 😊

[@wojtekpawlowski4951]

Greetings from Jag fan from Poland. Great vids!

[@LivingWithAClassic]

Thank you!

[@althafhussian6623]

My car distributor seized today now I know the reason, thanks buddy

[@livingroomguitarist7]

On the HE you can lube the distrubutor weights through a port under the rotor and you don't have to remove the distributor.

[@LivingWithAClassic]

Yes but it's often seized and then it's good to remove it

[@livingroomguitarist7]

@@LivingWithAClassic I was able to get away with lubing it and exercising it a few times, never had to remove it.

[@mexmmm]

Hi Adam! First of all thank you for the excellent and detailed video. I have a pre-HE with some minor issues I assume are coming from the distributor and was wondering if you could maybe share your opinion on the matter. The engine idles and throttles perfectly in neutral, but once warm and in gear has trouble getting up revolutions. It kind of sounds like it stalls - but both spark and fuel arrive well. I took off the distributor cap and contrary to what I see here, I cant lift the rotor arm off the distributor for the life of me, any tips on a seized rotor arm? Looking forward to your next uploads as always!

[@user-nh6ct9pl2b]

I have a Merali V12 distributor in my 1990 Jaguar XJS v12 . I see videos on the other brands but not the Merali . I would like to see a rebuild of this build from removal to install and service of the distributor . I am having trouble just removing the screws holding the rotor .

[@fru11]

Hi, I really enjoy watching your videos. I have a Jaguar XJR-S 6.0 1990 and it starts hard. I suspect a bad throttle potentiometer. Do you have a video somewhere of how it is disassembled? Thank you. Hynek.

[@user-iw2iw6lx4o]

Hi Adam, love the video's...helped me a lot . I have the 1988 H&H v12 HE . I am wondering of the original distributor springs are still to get . Do you have a link where i can buy them . Best regards, Luc (Belgium).🤗

[@tonymartin6508]

Hi Adam, I bought an S2 XJ12 with opus ignition that was replaced by an aftermarket (Allison) system. The pickup in the distributor became loose and the timing was lost. How do I set the pickup position (static timing?) Should the distributor cap #1A contact be aligned with the rotor at 10deg BTDC?

[@chadedwards2848]

Adam, thank you for another great video. Do you have any tips for removing a stuck rotor arm? I have an ‘86 XJS HE and the rotor arm does not budge when I try to pull it straight up. Thanks again!

[@LivingWithAClassic]

When I got my XJ12 the rotor was stuck too. They are a very tight fit. I made two zip tie loops, put one around each end of it and pulled up pretty sharply. You can tap on it as well with a hammer gently. Have a new on ready since the old one might break. Hope this helps!

[@michaelstroud5745]

Hi Adam, I own a 1981 XJ-S V12. I have the same problem that you had with your 86 XJS, namely the rotor arm will not budge from the shaft. Tried everything I can think of in order to exert upward pressure on the rotor, but no joy. How did you go with yours? Any tricks that you can forward on to me?

[@michaelstroud5745]

Sorry, Chad.

[@ME-cm5kd]

Great video as usual. I have just purchased a 1992 XJS with the 4.0 6cyl engine. Should the same thing be done to the distributor on it? Cheers

[@LivingWithAClassic]

Thank you! They don't suffer the same issues as the V12s do with the very hot distributor.

[@ME-cm5kd]

Thanks for the info.

[@dennisferagen2745]

Do you have any idea of what the total timing is for the HE 5.3 engine is at >4000 Rpm you indicated the mechanical advance is 11 degrees how much advance can this engine take total.... cant seem to find that info anywhere

[@Steven-hj7vp]

what kind of grease did you use? thank you. I have a 1989 marelli v12 that I believe the distributor is stuck

[@LivingWithAClassic]

I used normal wheel bearing grease. It can take the heat well. A Marelli distributor does not have any weights in it. It's all done by the ECU there.

[@Steven-hj7vp]

Okay does that mean I don’t have to do this service you describe in this video? Thank you I was about to take my distributor off

[@lebojay]

How about an electronic ignition upgrade? It did wonders for my Alfa Romeo.

[@LivingWithAClassic]

All Jaguar V12s are electronic ignition from the factory

[@lebojay]

Oh. Thanks!

[@jeffreyprice773]

I worked on jags for 50 years, I Don't Advise Removing the Dizzy, work on it in situ. Remove springs & bob weights and lightly oil. If you dont want timing/ingition problems and your not mechanical minded do it i place. Fitting ignition leads/plug leads, tip> add them up to 7 1R6L 5R2L 3R4L 6R1L 2R5L 4R3L. I amended the order.

[@LivingWithAClassic]

Great tip about adding them up! Very cool 🙂

[@jeffreyprice773]

Thinking about it, as i haven't done it for years, it just came back to me, Put the firing order of a 6 cylinder engine 1 5 3 6 2 4 as the rhs, then add them to 7. 1R6L 5R2L 3R4L 6R1L 2R5L 4R3L . R-right being the drivers side on RHD cars 1 5 3 6 2 4

[@mikemike-rf7qb]

Wish I had listened to you Jeff!! Now I have no spark ( the rotor must have moved) so now ill have to check rotor position against #1a at TDC, which just happens to be the worst plug to remove...any suggestions Jeff? thanks in advance.

[@user-nh6ct9pl2b]

that should be Marelli .

[@mikemike-rf7qb]

Also does the correct rotor position have to be checked against 1a TDC?...thanks in advance

[@LivingWithAClassic]

Rotor pointing towards cylinder 1A. On the distributor cap there is a 1 on it. It points toward left hand headlight