V12 Jag Essential Fixes - What did a 49k mile Jaguar XJS really need to be safe and reliable?

Since we started this project, we had hoped to do a quick set of repairs and maintenance and get this out on the road by Easter Sunday 2024. Well, that came and went and we kept finding more things that needed to be done urgently before driving. From rotted fuel lines, ignition system, fuel tank evap, and brakes, it turned out to be more than expected.
While we didn't do a FULL refurb on this, we did the "bare minimum" in my eyes to get this back on the road safely. Yes - there's still more we can do, and should / will do in time.
In the meantime, while we have more video to post that will give greater detail on some aspects of this repair work, I wanted to share an overview of every system we touched and what we learned. And to show, that while we missed Easter Sunday as a deadline, the car is back on the road!
PARTS LINKS:
Note that these links are via our Amazon affiliates link, meaning Vortex Garage will get a small comission if purchased through these links. Note that I do not have any sponsorships or paid endorsements, what I do however is link to you things that I have used in the video, or would purchase if I can't find that exact part or tool.
Bosch 0265202070 Brake Pressure Accumulator
amzn.to/4b0mnhf
Stay tuned for much more on this car!
00:00 Introduction
01:00 Move to single coil notes
01:45 Cruise Module Decommissioned
03:40 Ignition System Fixes
08:02 Fuel System - Injectors, hoses, and more fixes
16:29 ABS Pump and Pressure Accumulator plus bleeding notes
23:23 Final underhood bits - vacuum lines
23:44 Front Caliper Fun - Aftermarket parts, pads and calipers notes
32:04 Rear Caliper Fun - One stuck, and a quick fix to get on the road
34:22 Fuel Tank Venting - Check Valve, Rochester Valve and old Jag recalls
37:14 What did we miss from our list?
38:51 Test drive notes and a tad bit of video from them
42:51 Conclusion

[@alanreynolds2125]

Thanks for your time spent doing these videos Wish you were my neighbour when I had mine!!l lovely old cars for sure mine was a 1976 vintage

[@VortexGarage]

Glad you enjoyed! I'm also enjoying this car, and learning the V12's ins and outs. They really are great cars

[@genobrn8743]

Great detail, and the pipe wrench even match the Jag’s color

[@VortexGarage]

I was trying to find the right tool for the job - turned out I just needed to find the tool with the right paint job!

[@user-ht8iv9bi8b]

Great video well done. I am going through the very same process as you are although my car had a very rough idle after warm up, and no power. I have also checked: The fuel system as you have itemised (injector clean and flow test); have rebuilt the Fuel injection harness (which was u/s); set the throttle butterflys to 0.002" closed; adjusted the throttle rods to open the butterflys simultaneously, and installed a new AAV, new fuel filter, and checked the sump tank for rust etc. I replaced the LHS fuel regulator as that wasn't working, and am looking to remove the RHS one altogether (largely superfluous to requirements). The engine electrical system was checked (including the Thottle Position Sensor) which was u/s, the amplifier also u/s, unsure how the car actually started. New plugs NGK BP6EFS gapped to 0.25". Checked the distributor was moving freely; Timed at 300rpm to 18 BTDC. Previous I removed and refurbished the rear cage assy to repair my rear brakes and generally spruce up the rear suspension, new everything which was actually unnecessary. My advice when you get to that juncture is to only replace the bearings that need to be done, as they are really good quality Timken bearings, and as you have found out ordering new Jaguar parts is no guarantee of quality. Half the seals I got didn't fit, and the universals were really bad Chinese copies. So reuse if you can. Bleeding the Teves system as you found out takes patience, and an understanding spouse. Looking forward to your updated videos, really great content and clear narrative: excellent. Cheers Chris.

[@VortexGarage]

Great info thanks much! Really will take to heart what you commented on the rear cage too. That will probably be after the nice weather driving season (aka towards winter) and no doubt I would fall into the traps of the parts issues you described - so this is super helpful as I will gather parts during the summer to do this eventually.

[@user-nh6ct9pl2b]

Really looking forward to the evap system with charcoal canister and hoses in the or under the hood .

[@VortexGarage]

Thanks!! I'll try and priortize that one. I ended up with lots of bits as I worked through it in between other stuff. But I will definitely get that done and shared.

[@Z06-viper]

Excellent video! Can’t wait for another xj6 video!

[@VortexGarage]

I've still got XJ6 content I need to edit, so great reminder - I will try and get to those soon! Still have the 83, and after some major service that I need to edit up for video, it's been running well.

[@Z06-viper]

All your videos are very informative and relaxing to watch. Some even motivated me to replace items on my xj6 for preventive maintenance. I just recently did the 7inch euro headlight conversion!

[@MrGermany18]

Just wanted to pop in and ask if you've done anything to the cooling system? It really needs to be maintained. The yellow radiator fan is really prone to cracking blades off and flinging them out of the hood. Make sure to check that.

[@VortexGarage]

Funny you say that, I have decided that I can't drive the car more without further addressing cooling system. Was hoping to and did get to enjoy it some. But noticed as summer came in it ran a slight bit hot on one drive. Not terrible but enough to say not gonna risk it anymore. And yeah though the yellow fan looks good I understand they really crack in hidden areas around the hub. Ive been collecting parts - waiting on a few backordered hoses but got the right thermostats, a new black fan, fan clutch, hoses, new header tank, and gonna pull the rad and either have it boiled, recored or get the Wizard cooling aluminum rad. Just gonna do it all, though I think the main issue I'm seeing is a faulty fan clutch, once I'm in there I'm just gonna do it all. I had hoped to sneak by some drive time this summer and address after the season but not going to chance it.

[@MrGermany18]

@@VortexGarage Totally understand! Every single thing I read about these beasts is keep it cool!!! Do yourself a favor and test the thermostats out of the car for the proper travel values. A few people on the forum have gotten stats and they ended up being wrong.

[@paulb1034]

Thank you, I've enjoyed the series on this V12, is the engine running at the correct temp (seemed low on the test drive), replacing the thermostats is a maintenance item too.

[@VortexGarage]

Good eye on that! I did shorter drives and that was towards the start of one so it hasn't yet fully warmed up. Appears so far to get to and stay at good temp. Agree on the cooling system maintenance

[@ScaphanNetwork]

Great video. I have the same engine. I want to also tag the hoses I replaced. Where do you plan to get such a tag? I can’t find anywhere!

[@VortexGarage]

I'm not sure yet - there was a Jag Lovers Forum post where someone asked about finding a similar material as to the tags used originally. I can't recall if that had an answer and I didn't bookmark it. I'll try and find it at some point. But I bet some very thin aluminum cut, and using a letter punch tool would work out. Could be cut easily, and edged folded over to ensure no sharpness, even wrapped around the non-rubber portions. I'm not yet sure what I'll use, but hope to revisit that one day. If you end up finding anything please do comment and let us know!