Jaguar X Type Sill Repairs

[@Event13]

I'm a fan of this channel. I am an industrial electrician with decent abilities but scant knowledge of car maintenance. As an x-type owner (3.0 SE 2004) it is compulsory to do your own work as the garage labour charges make each problem virtually a write off. I've just refurbished my headlights for £20 but a garage wouldn't attempt a fix and want to fit 2 new one's for almost more than the car is worth. I like this guy as he isn't afraid to give anything a go and explains himself perfectly well for a layman like me. So far this man has assisted me with many little jobs on my X400 and is my preferred channel for decent advice on all things X-type. Thank you very much for filming your many struggles with automotive adversity you have helped me a great deal and probably saved my car from the breakers more than once. Concept Symetry I salute you. Like the British equivalent of Scotty Kilmer. More reserved as you'd expect but highly informative all the same. Cheers mate.

[@johnnysevengun]

I think comparing me to Scotty is the highest praise I can get!

[@JimmyJagg]

Good job. My brothers friend had a similar mot fail on his x type. The repair wasn't helped by the fact somebody had glued the plastic sill covers onto the car! Glad you're back on the road now.

[@clyrogrumper]

If it makes you feel any better, my last off the line (2009) Jaguar X type just failed its MOT for rust holes in the sills. Bollocks I wish I had sold it last year!

[@adamwoodward2003]

I love X-types, my dad used to have a 3.0 V6 until it failed its MOT on rust. The passenger's side sill had completely disappeared and the driver's side sill wasn't far off doing the same. They're lovely cars to look at, drive and sit in but unfortunately the build quality, especially that of the older X-types are crap, there's no way a car's sill should be completely rotted out and I mean completely, to the point where there is no sill left at all after 18 years on the road. It's an awful bit of design on an otherwise brilliant car, it's a shame.

[@johnnysevengun]

You have to ask yourself though - how many other 18 year old cars are on the road?

[@adamwoodward2003]

@@johnnysevengun Not ours anymore unfortunately.

[@stevesalt2921]

My neighbor has this same problem with his X-type. I'm an ex welder so may have a go at it for him. thanks for the vid.

[@johnnysevengun]

I've had this problem every year. The solution would to but the complete sills and do a proper job. Sound like you have the skill to do it. I am going to take a welding course.

[@lordofbore]

Good video ,thanks ,mine hasn't got any "tinworm" yet ,but it is something I will keep an eye on .

[@John_Wood_]

Rusts from the inside thats the problem

[@adamwoodward2003]

My dad's 2002 X-type 3.0 V6 has very excessive corrosion at the rear of both sills. We've just had a look and there's about 1m of solid corrosion on each sill!!!!! It's horrendous.

[@johnnysevengun]

It is a major fault with these older cars. Mine has been welded four times now. Fortunately I have friend who is an artisan welder and does mates rates. The best solution would be to replace the entire sill - the parts are easily available - but it will cost.

[@gerlandkent6377]

[that, rust comes from the salt that the hwy dept apples down on the road in the winter months when the snow blows in]

[@peterarvaszulu5069]

Why is the x type such a weakness when it comes to sills is it a design flaw?

[@johnnysevengun]

Yes. It is called 'built in obsolescence' . Most cars are only designed to last 7 years max. The problem with the sills is that in order to attach the plastic outer sill there are dozens of holes in the steel sill. These let in water and salt from the roads in winter. The sills are then eaten from inside out.

[@gregoryholliday3806]

You are correct Sir..!!! made/planned to go rusty..i had 3 x MK11 Jags..back in the early 70s..everything that could go rusty/drop off/fail did..,to think they produced cars with the same corrosion problems as they did in the 1960s is a disgrace..design over common sense engineering..Jags are a no no..we have 2 Rover 75s..corrosion free, better design and a quality car..and still live on in China..

[@Event13]

I'm sure I read somewhere that after 2003 they changed something to do with the rain water drainage holes or run-off which marginally improved the rusty sills issue but I can't be positive. Has anyone heard about this. I see most of the cars that completely rotted out seem to be before 2004. My sills appear to be holding up but I haven't properly checked. I'm too scared. Maybe I'll get brave in the summer and have a look. Dare I ?

[@johnnysevengun]

I have also read that the post 2004 cars are less prone to rust. The MOT history (if you are in the UK) will give it away.

[@7500.B.C.E.]

My friend has 2009 x type both sills underneath rusted with multiple holes & in bad condition, plus the salt on roads in winter really speeds up rust on a car that already has a common problem 🙄

[@petemallinson2323]

just had an MOT on my 04 x type failed on the sill 3 holes you could put your fist through plus 4 major rust problems, how did it past its last MOT /

[@johnnysevengun]

I think it is because the garages are no longer allowed to probe the metal but only look at it. Often the holes only appear when the underseal falls off.

[@BensWorkshop]

Thanks very much.

[@petemallinson2323]

well had my car all fixed at the cost of 750 pounds, so a brand new mot.Not really sure if the guy who done the last mot checked it properly and thats very worrying. there where too many things wrong with it.

[@jaggass]

The sills on X-types is a design fault its just. Plastic and water don't mix at all. So many have failed on rusty sills.

[@johnnysevengun]

It does not help that it is also punched full of holes for the plastic studs. In the end I didn't drill any new holes.

[@jaggass]

Plastic sill trims are a stupid idea. The X-type isn't the only one that has them.

[@bodgerd]

My neighbour asked me to do some welding on his X type checking up on them , think I'll give it a miss his sounds a lot worse than yours .

[@johnnysevengun]

It is possible to buy replacement sills already precut with all the relevant holes on e-bay. Full replacement is probably easier than patching. If they are very rotten they are easy to cut off. The welding is the skilled bit.

[@bodgerd]

He says the bulkhead and sills gone , sound like the car's snapping in half lol , been doing this stuff for years , my major concern is how much trim has got to be taken out to create a safe welding zone , don't want to set fire to the thing .

[@johnnysevengun]

Sounds bad. What has he been doing? Parking it in the sea? The plastic trims are easy to get off and you can pull back the wheel arch covers. Best done up on a lift though. It was difficult on the ground.

[@bodgerd]

He bought it from his mate , the guy lives in spain only uses when he comes back over here , never seen it , from what I can gather the factory sealed 2 drain holes on the bulkhead allowing them to fill with water , must be where the wiper motor sits .

[@matthewjackson3034]

Seems such a shame and bad planning that these cars suffer with so much rot and rust. As their lovely motors. Mines on 89k, (05) plate I'm going to tackle a bit of rust removal and put some hammerote paint followed by sealant on it. Just hope there's no holes, otherwise I'll have to get someone to do the welding work.🙄

[@johnnysevengun]

As you saw in the video the tiny hole can grow. I am lucky that I have a friend who does mates rates.

[@matthewjackson3034]

@@johnnysevengun that is always handy. As said I love the car, but the work lately never ends on her. Done all discs and pads last weekend. Need to look at rear springs and plates too. As well as needing new front wishbones. (Garage job). I can't get under enough to do them.

[@johnnysevengun]

@@matthewjackson3034 Mine hit the 15 year old mark before I had to do a lot of the work. The car had been neglected by the previous owner who lived by the seaside. TBH I bought it because it was shiny, clean and had a great engine. All the rest was near the end of its serviceable life. I fixed it all and gave it to my Dad who has had two years out of it and it is still going strong.

[@tanglewood777]

these were made by ford that's y they rott

[@johnnysevengun]

There's a lot of truth in that but you have to remember this car is over 16 years old. How many other everyday cars of that period are still on the road?

[@Cupat1]

Mine

[@donalheaiy2087]

All these cars should be scrapped

[@johnnysevengun]

Why scrap a perfectly serviceable vehicle?