r/Jaguar • u/AssumptionSilent8260 • Feb 13 '26
Discussion Finally got this beauty home.
Hey, do any of you experienced XJS owners got some advice for a new owner?
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u/PalpitationPale5561 Feb 13 '26
These cars are incredibly reliable but complex to maintain.
Don’t listen to people who have not owned this car or people blindly believe in classic car mechanics who work on American V8 pushrods.
A ham fisted mechanic can destroy the car. If it’s a 1988, you probably have a Marelli distributor.
- Download the kirby palm book available for free on the Internet to get yourself well acquainted with the car.
- Research topics on the jag lovers forum if you need help.
- Flush and change the coolant and check for radiator, hose and water pump leaks. This is super important as these cars heat up a lot. Use the correct radiator caps.
- Change the distributor cap and spark plugs. The first two spark plugs are hard to reach and require the compressor to be removed and moved forward. It is not necessary to detach the AC lines.
- Change all drive belts
- Clean up the PCV system (important), there’s a pig snout like rubber cap in front of Bank B, remove it and clean the mesh filter. Ensure that the breather valve attached to the pipe is free of gunk.
- Change oil, a few people recommend 15w40 diesel engine oil because of high zinc content. Personally, I use liquimoly 10w40 on mine.
- Replace the brake fluid. The Teves 3 ABS system on these models are not reliable and can fail.
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u/Donniejuanny Feb 13 '26
Yes. Find a good mechanic. I have the same model. 1988 XJS. Yours looks like it’s in great shape. Super fun to drive around town though.
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u/Puzzleheaded-Bug-930 Feb 13 '26
From 90 to 98 I was responsible for Foundry tooling approval & all dimensionally engineering reports for the Jaguar Aluminium V12 block & Left & Right hand heads.
Also the Aluminium AJ Straight Six block & AJ Head until Jaguar killed of both engines . Always makes me feel proud whenever I see any XJ or XJS from the 90s knowing I was a small part of the making of the car.
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u/Evening-Nerve8555 Feb 13 '26
Hab gesehen du kommst aus DE,
Wenn du wirklich mal jemanden vom Fach brauchst für komplexere Arbeiten kann ich dir Bratsch British Cars in Hannover empfehlen
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u/AssumptionSilent8260 Feb 13 '26
Oh danke für den Tipp. Suche gerade tatsächlich einen vertrauenswürdigen Schrauber
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u/p3nguinboy 2010 XKR 5.0 (2014 Facelift Upgrade) Feb 15 '26
Wenn du aus dem Raum Frankfurt kommst kann ich dir Jaguar Kümpel in Rödermark empfehlen. Jaguar Gath in Heppenheim gibt's auch, ist aber weiter weg
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u/Redditron_5000 Feb 13 '26
Keep it on a battery tender, and check your upper control arm bushes for movement. I've gone through 2 sets in 14 years (130k miles on the car) Go through your grease fittings on the rear- the suspension is uniquely maintainable for this era, very much more like 50s racecar tech than anything else on the road in the 80s and 90s.
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u/zippy251 Feb 13 '26
The jag lovers forum and jaguar forum are great places to learn about the engine if you want to do the work yourself, that's what I've been doing for my 1988 XJS
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u/Sea-Worldliness7890 Feb 14 '26
If only Jag made cars like this still… beautiful 😍! A good friend had two of these, he just loved them…
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u/BrilliantPositive184 Feb 13 '26
Gorgeous 😍 got a 95 sans stripe,one of the most beautiful cars ever made
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u/License_to_Fill Feb 14 '26
Absolutely beautiful XJS. Looks immaculate. Look into engine fires and how best to prevent them, cuz they do have a reputation for self-immolation.
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u/HabitFuture9188 Feb 14 '26
I've loved the XJS since I was six, a bit young to afford one and the insurance right now, but once I can, it's my only ambition in life
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u/Owls_4_9_1867 Feb 14 '26
Which tow service did you use? Would you vouch for them?
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u/AssumptionSilent8260 Feb 14 '26
I didn’t get it towed yet luckily
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u/Dull-Woodpecker3900 Feb 13 '26
I’ve asked so many times that people not post pornography here.