Old Peter

Welcome to the Club, Stuart, White smoke can mean fuel is not being burnt properly, for whatever reason. The offside exhaust indicates that the problem lies within the left side of the V6 engine, so concentrate on that side. There are products that can help, I believe, although I am not a fan of some additives. Regards, Peter.

I used to go to Port Talbot Steel works frequently when I was a worker! Peter.

I think it is just a characteristic of a big engine, Scott. My 2.7 Diesel takes its time getting hot and then at the end of a journey takes its time getting cold. The 2.7 Diesel engine [and presumably the 3.0 litre Diesel in the XF] has an auxiliary heater that warms up the cabin of the car which the engine is warming up. Peter.

Hi Simon, Yes, I had the same problem about 20 odd years ago with a 21 year old VW Beetle, but never with a modern car. I don't get oily hand anymore, but I think some one with more expertise will give you some advice, Regards, Peter,

Hi Hugh, I would have recommended you to do what you've already done. I am not familiar with the layout of the XJ, but I am guessing that a faulty sensor is sending information to the computer as it is all to do with the functions that are close together. Regards Peter.

Welcome to the Club, Hugh. The club is about sharing experiences with other owners of these great cars. I hope you enjoy both your car and the club. Regards Peter.

HI Declan, and welcome to the Club. Sorry to hear about your misfortunes, and I hope that one of the members can help you, as I am of the era that used a lump hammer to solve problems. But there are quite a few members with technical expertise and I am sure they will be along to help and advise. And look out for my s type in May somewhere between Dublin and Co. Galway. Regards, Peter.

Hi Simon, and welcome to the club, There are a lot of friendly and helpful people here. The diesel engine does take its time to get hot, and some temperature gauges do sit quite low on the scale. Terraclean? Yes, I have had it done on my s type 2.7D, and was really surprised at the result. I got a much improved performance, as well as a very good improvement in the mpg with a record 53 mpg on a drive up to Northwich a month ago. There are several garages who do the Terraclean service in the area in which we live --- I used James Price, a mobile mechanic who comes to you house and does the job, and is good at it. Try it. Then get out and enjoy the great car you have. Regards, Peter. [sutton Coldfield]

Hi Ian and welcome to the club, The Forum is a friendly one and is about sharing experiences, so don't hesitate. Regards, Peter.

Hi Simon, Just something I failed to mention. This is my third diesel. I had my first 20 odd years ago -- it was a Rover 418 with the Peugeot Turbocharged Engine. It was quite sluggish on pulling off until the turbo cut in at around 15k revs. The same car with the normally aspirated engine was slow in acceleration all the time. The second one was also a Rover but the newer 420 which had the Rover diesel and was a bit quicker off the mark. Most diesels do not like acceleration too quickly from cold and it is wise to let them take their time for the first few hundred yards. Regrds, Peter.

Hi Trevor, When I got my s type is used a main dealer -- probably the biggest in the country. I was interested in a slate grey car which fitted my requirements but was in one of their dealerships in Perth. They offered to bring it down overnight at no charge so i could see it the next day, but pointed out that they had one of the same spec with a lower mileage in their storage garage. Apparently they store cars they have taken in part exchange till they determine where and when the car can go on the forecourt. When we decided to have the car I asked for an MOT before I took it away. They said that it had had one done in March, so it was OK. It was then July. The conversation went like this: "It had an MOT in March and passed without any recommendations and has not been on the road since. It also had a service then. We have the details in the papers" "I would still like an MOT". "OK, we will do one for you". They did. I went in two weeks before the warrant ran out with a list of niggles, all of which were rectified at no charge. No lies. I think they might have guessed or knew that I had been a little involved in the Automotive industry But they were honest even though we were only spendiing £10k -- up front, though! It does make a difference, and you get more respect if you don't tell lies, even though the truth can be unpalatable. Regards, Peter.

Useful piece of information, Chrissie, What can be a small thing can often cause a big problem in the MOT, and if you go to a main dealer an hour's work to fix a such a problem can cost an hours labour priced at about £140. Peter.

Jaguar cars are very good cars. The people who make them and design them are very good engineers. Those people who own and drive Jaguars are very proud and pleased to own one. Even some of the dealers are very proud of the cars they sell to their customers. It is just a pity that Customer Relations in some of the Jaguar Main dealers seems to be so careless [ie with caring] when dealing with their customers. There used to be a saying that the Customer is always right. I think that saying should be the first thing customer relations staff should learn. It appears that Jaguar Customer services are almost as bad as TESCO. It is such a pity that a small cog in the wheel can cause so much trouble by not telling the truth. Peter.

Welcome to the Club, Ray. There are umpty seven why black smoke can come out of a diesel engine. There are several common ones and one is poor quality fuel, which is easily rectified by a tankful of the expensive stuff. The other reason is that the engine has accumulated a lot of soot inside and needs what used to be called a decoke -- a decarbonisation of the engine and fuel systems. I have come across a service that cleans out the engine and is very beneficial for diesels ---- Terraclean. Those that have had it done have been very pleased with it and have said it was well worth the £120n or so that it cost. Just google the word "Terraclean" and see the comments, I hope that assists. Regards, Peter.

We had a mover fitted Charlie, and the last van we have was a beauty - special edition. But there are lots of places we can get into the fresh air --- I am looking at a cottage 5 miles from everywhere in Galway for next year! Regards Peter.

Welcome to the club, Simon. I am sorry to hear of your problems. Careful driving can take its toll on diesel engines. The engine oil in diesels soon turns black, so put an oil change on hold. I am not a mechanic and do not get oily hands any more, but I am guessing that all the careful driving you have done has put a lot of soot inside the system that makes the car go. There is a system that cleans out the engine and improves the performance called Terraclean. Several people I know and myself have had this service, and if you google the word "Terraclean" you will find a garage in the North East that does the job, and you will also see a video of the job being done. It is especially good for diesel performance. The cost is around £120. I had it done to my S Type 2.7D a few months ago and it has given me a much better mpg and also a very responsive engine. Another little bit of advice which could be helpful. My engine warning light came on today and I guessed it could be the EGR valve, which was confirmed when I got home and plugged in my OBD2 scanner which came up with the code P0402, which said excessive gas flow to the EGR valve. Being a Lancashireman, I always go for the cheapest option, so I took the car out to a quiet 5 mile stretch of the A38 and gave it a bit of a burn with the S button switched on, taking the speed up to 70 [ish]. It was a chore that was very enjoyable, too. Having let the engine cool down for a few hours, the waring light no longer comes on. Summary: Get the terraclean done and then get out and give the car a good fast run every now and then ---- if that doesn't work I am certain that the Angel of the North will wave at you! Regards, Peter.

Hi Kevin, There are plenty of empty spaces for good garages in the North. What us Jaguar owners need are Motor Engineers who want to to do a good job on a car and look after their customers. Regards, Peter.

Hi Phil, Thanks for the update. I am fairly certain that things like the dashboard are all factory fitted, with the details of the specification required by the customer on a work sheet that is pinned to the body of the car when it comes on to the line from the paint shop. I have been taken round quite a few car factories with the full all day tour - Nissan, Toyota, Austin, [not Jaguar -- yet --]. Add to that I had an uncle who worked at Ford in Halewood who was very knowledgeable about what went on on Production lines. The dealer has to do very little when the car comes on to his premises. I would guess that the dealer mis-ordered your specifications --- and in all probability failed to put you order in to Jaguar in the first place and only your chivvying got him off his backside and place the order, saying he needed it quickly, and Jaguar sent him a car with the nearest specification to yours, hoping that you would ignore the dashboard veneer. Regards, Peter.

Harwood are fobbing you off, Tony. In the circles in which I move what they have said would be classified under "Downright lies". Peter.

Hi Tom, Just an addition to my previous post. The recommended Independent Jaguar specialist by a member is Homer and Hudson - Jaguar Specialists --and they are in Macclesfield. There is also another one but I have had no reports on it a bit nearer to you --- John Delaney Ltd and they are in Stockport. Hope this helps. Peter.

Welcome to the Club, Tom. There is a list of independent garages in the forum "Jaguar Owners Lounge" and I can remember on in the Manchester area being recommended. The XF is a great car and a worthy successor to the S Type. It sounds like you have a good one, too. I think you will enjoy this friendly club. Regards, Peter.

I towed a caravan for 20 years, only selling it 3 years ago, and really enjoyed after years of camping and other types of holiday.. My wife thought I was getting too old to keep on doing the odd chores which are a part of owning a touring caravan. Yesterday she said she missed it!! Peter.

At a guess, The age of the engine and the cars that it powered, I think that it could be a 2.5 Litre V6. I could be very wrong, though, as the 8L number says that it could also be the 4.2 Litre. Peter.

Just a little bit more, Mike. Jaguar produced more than 700,000 engines that powered the XK150 and other cars. I have tried to find engine numbers for these engines, but so far without success. Regards, Peter.

Welcome to the club, Mike. You car sounds very nice, and we hope some pics can find their way on here. The question you ask about engine numbers is not one I can answer, but there is a company in the UK called Suffolk Classic Cars who might know something and it could be worth looking at their website. Good Luck Regards Peter.