Advancing the art of grand touring

The fastest automatic transmission production car in the world

 

Gearbox spring seat rubber + MOT !!!

As per blog: https://erwinxjs.blogspot.com/2025/11/gearbox-mounting-spring-spring-seat.html

This has been finally done today! To my great surprise I was informed there was not even a spring seat rubber in there! How is that possible? 

Back then I traced it back to the first owner which was the Jaguar dealer himself. See this blog:

https://erwinxjs.blogspot.com/2016/09/the-hunt-part-ii.html He more or less was the long time owner. When reading the story again I see the automatic gearbox had been changed once. It's hard to believe they overlooked this specific rubber? But who knows?

Since the car was in the garage, I asked them to perform an airco fill up. Unfortunately this couldn't be done due to missing a specific socket for this system. So I need to source that, it's not a big deal. 

Also I asked them to perform a MOT. I expect there would be a couple of minor things that needs to be done.  And it was a fail indeed. The headlights had to be adjusted and the window wipers were bad. Why didn't you fix that I told him, do you want me to get a new pair now, I can get them. But he laughed and said they were ordered and should arrive in the next hour. So everything got sorted and the MOT was sa pass later in the afternoon. HURRAY!!!

Certainly did not expected that. Turns out it was more then 6 years ago since it had a valid MOT and effectively not been used since. He told me even the emission tests were a pass in one go. Next he had cleaned up the steeringrack and filled it up and that was about it. 

So all together this round costed me € 265,-  (MOT, window wipers, steeringrack clean and fillup and labour for the gearbox spring rubber installation). Plus of course the costs for the spring, spring seal and the rubber (2x). 

Effectively I did not test drove the car afterwards as it was dark and rainy. The garage is located just across the road. But I have got good hopes the knocking sound is gone as described per blog:

https://erwinxjs.blogspot.com/2023/11/automatic-gearbox-knocking-sound.html

Due to the car having a specific Dutch roadtax rule I can't drive it in the winter months (Dec, Jan and Feb). Which I normally wouldn't do in any case. So I need to wait to the 1st of March. So I know already what I will be doing that day.

This also gives me a little more time to work on some other items, like refurbishing the fuel rail system. 

So watch this space!

Koenig XJS

Via: https://www.facebook.com/groups/175706667805/permalink/10164645047667806/

Now available in the download folder:

Gearbox mounting spring + spring seat rubber

 Last week I did some further checking and printed out the diagram for the mechanics. Then I figured it would be good to buy the spring as well. Just in case it's broken (or the old one being poor). This way the simply could continue the job while it's being open and removed. When ordering the new spring I noticed they offered a polythureen spring seat rubber. Did not spotted that before. Since this is a much thorough one and not much more expensive I ordered that one as well.  But when checking today with the normal one I ordered previously it's much smaller? Typical. In any case I have two now so one should fit hopefully. The mechanic told me the original might better as it's less stiff and as such might cause less vibrations ...

Oh well, in any case the extra spring and rubber and shipping costed  me another € 47,46

Today I bought a new battery, Fired it up, almost in one go! On the 2nd attempt it ran. Amazing. One small hit on the dash and also the battery voltage meter went up :-)

Tried to make a small test run but it didn't feel right and the car stalled after 200 m or so and suffered from running ok. Managed to get it back from the road to the house. Went to the gaspump to obtain fresh 20 liter V-Power in a jerrycan. Note the gastank was nearly empty and also the remaining fuel was not fresh anymore. In any case, filled it up and it ran nicely again. No time left to make another testdrive, I think it's ok again. 

So time for a quick piccie :-)

Next week it will go to the garage to have finally the gearbox mounting rubber done:

https://erwinxjs.blogspot.com/2025/04/gearbox-mounting-bush-spring-seat.html

So watch this space ...

Autoworld Brussels - German tuners from the 80s and the 90s -

Today I was in the Autoworld Brussels museum. They have currently a "German Tuner" exhibition and this XJS Arden was on display:

enjoy tomorrow - buckle up today

 

View from the pack

 

Ebay 1989 Jaguar XJS MANUAL BOOK CLEANING CASSETTE DRIVING EXPERIENCE CASSETTE OEM

 Never seen this map before. I have seen the tape and cleaning tape separate available but never complete in such map holder together with the other documents. Looks genuine but not sure though. Adding it here just for the records.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/136502058468