Old Peter

Welcome to the Club, Alex. Your experience with Jaguars will be invaluable. There are two F Types living close to me, one Red and one white. While they both look great I also think that Red gives the car that "Jaguar look" a little more. Regards, Peter.

Welcome to the Club, David. You must know a lot about Jaguars, and your experiences will be invaluable to the Club members. There a lot lot of members with the XK8 who will give you their tips and experiences. I just like to look at the XK8 with some envy! Regards, Peter.

Welcome to the club, Kirk. It is worth finding somewhere like Halfords -- I have a good relationship with my local Halfords Tyre Service garage -- and have a talk with the manager. Very frequently they are very helpful. Regards, Peter.

Welcome to the Club, Liam. I have not come across that issue, but there are members who might have. I have been told that a clicking noise could be a sensor. Regards, Peter.

Hi James, There is reported to be a good one near Preston. Regards, Peter. Lancastrian in exile.

Hi James, Two other small tips ---- Parts can be sources from other than main dealers, and for servicing always sty to find a good independent garage --- there is a list in the Jaguars Owners Lounge forum on the club site. Regards, Peter.

Hi James, and welcome to the club. There are several members with such cars and will assist you. As has been mentioned, Brian has his car up for sale, and looks like a good buy too. I don't know of a buyers guide , but there are a couple of issues to look out for. The sills are covered with a plastic cover and some members have had rust problems, and there can also be a little water ingress into the boot at times Regards, Peter.

Welcome to the club, Jack. That is very disconcerting, to say the least, particularly when the message centre does not say the usual "Parkbrake malfunction". Disconnecting the battery for a short time usually releases the handbrake, but on a slope that could be a problem. Thee could be some lubrication needed, but you will need someone more expert in electrical things than myself. Regards, Petere.

Hi Paul, I looked at some diagrams yesterday without much success. I will keep on looking. Regards, Peter.

Used dash is a good idea, Alan, One cardinal rule, though. Measure twice, cut once. Peter.

Obviously.

Hi Adam, and welcome to the club. I also think that a new clutch is needed. Regards, Peter.

Hi Richard, Having got the obvious reasons for the wobble out of the way, Jim has suggested the other possible reasons for it --- tyre or rim. Worth checking out. Pater.

Hi Paul, That is why you get an early whiff of fuel when you start off. It automatically switches on and off. It probably is not on for very long. Regards, Peter.

Hi Brian, That is a good buy for someone. Good luck, Peter.

Hi Paul, I find that my engine takes about 12 miles to get to normal operating temperature in the morning. To assist the heating of the cabin there is an auxiliary heater on the S Type which lets the engine get on with the business of getting up to normal temperature. I find I get a better mpg using Shell Vitro than Supermarket fuel, but over the past there have been bee quite a few members who have used the bog standard fuel with a Millers additive, with good results. My nearest supermarket petrol station is 4 miles away and my Shell Garage is 450 yards, which does have a bearing on where I fill up. I also had my car Terracleaned which also made a difference to performance as well as mpg. Regards, Peter.

Welcome to the Club, Mark. The club thrives on experiences, both good and bad. My S type has the 2.7 litre diesel, and I have never had a problem with the DPF, although, doing a lot of short runs the EGR valves have been a bit sticky on a few occasions, cured usually with a blast on the A38 with the Sport Mode Button pressed on. I have also used Wynns Diesel EGR cleaner which works and saves the messy job of taking out the EGR valves and cleaning them manually. There are also other similar products. If you do a long run about once a month at over about 50 mph for 20 minutes after the engine has warmed up you should never have a problem with the DPF. I also gave my car which has only 60k on the clock a Terraclean service which worked wonders with smoothness and mpg, as well as performance. Additionally, I never use supermarket fuel, but usually Shell Vitro which also helps with the mpg. Enjoy your XF! Regards, Peter.

Hi Clare, I do hope you get it sorted out to your satisfaction. As I have said before, I have the same year of car as you have, and it is a nice car. One of the things that you will have to do is to make sure you will not be overcharged for the work needed, as being without the car for a long time is not something you want to endure for too long. Best Wishes, Peter.

Clare has a serious problem, and some good and expert advice has been given. Certainly the biggest problem is that the car cannot be moved at the moment. Main dealers in general do not want to use the route of mending something but rather swopping the offending part without considering whether or not that offending part can be fixed. I hope members will continue to assist those needing advice without bickering with each as t which advice is better. And in answer to another question, there are 4 moderators in the club whose job is basically to read all the posts and to make sure that all matters are conducted in a friendly manner. I was the sole moderator and asked the Club Administration to increase that number to ensure the function [unpaid and without perks] operates properly. Regards Peter. P.S. "The old and decaying Brigade" could have been put better such as "The experienced and tolerant People"

Batteries normally come with two terminal covers and I fail to see why the battery on my S type did not have both. I do not like a disconnected lead being left in a situation where it could inadvertently connect and possibly cause something dangerous. The park brake only seems to stick when the temperature is freezing or close to it. I will end the discussion now, as I feel that a polite answer to a serious question has gone somewhat awry, remembering of course ,that I didn't suggest that the car should be covered in duct tape and plastic. Peter.

A small point, Colin, but a quite important one to me. The electronic handbrake has become stuck on a few times. To free it you have to disconnect the battery and putting the leads somewhere where they won't slip back and touch the terminal seems the best way to do it, being as you have to leave it disconnected for about 15 minutes. I am not an electrician but I do appreciate that electric terminals not being covered up can cause a problem. I thought about covering the whole car in plastic and duct tape but rejected that idea as it would stop me getting into the car, Peter.

Hi Paul, My Varta has a cover on the positive terminal, and the negative terminal was without a cover until I used a design from Mr Heath and Mr Robinson using Duct Tape and a suitably sized piece of plastic, which does the trick. Regards, Peter.

Hi Billyboy, There have been several members who have had problems with Grange of Exeter. I have used Taunton Jaguar for odd bits fro their online site and found them very obliging. Glad all is well with your car now. Regards, Peter.

Hi Sacha, Just to add to my earlier post. The Diesel engined Jaguar s type has a timing belt, on all years. The Petrol engined models have a timing chain. Regards, Peter.

Hi Clare, and welcome to the Club. I am a bit late in answering you post [fitting a new cooker hood in kitchen] , but several members have given some good advice. It does not surprise me that Jaguar, who like most motor manufacturers outsource practically everything other than body panels, are being dilatory in getting the part you need. I will remind my car - the same year as yours - not to get sick like that. Jim has suggested you give Chris Isles a call at the Jag Speciaiist in Doncaster, and if you were able to drive up to see him I am sure he would be able to help. You could have a day out in the Peak District, too. Most members have found that main dealers are more concerned with selling cars than fixing them, and if you could find a way to get the car up to Doncaster your problem could well be solved. I hope that you soon get your car back on the road. Regards, Peter.