Old Peter

That's it, Steve. It is a bit different with the S type as the battery is in the boot. Regards, Peter.

Hi Steve, When I have used a solar charger I have always connected it to the battery terminals. Always works. They didn't have power sockets when I first had a car. Regards, Peter.

Hi Nick, Jon is quite right. You can update the Disc for about £25 -- Just google Sat Nav Updates and you will find several sites selling the updated version. Regards, Peter.

Hi Keith, Both EGR valves fitted by 1.30 pm today. One of the old ones was fading and the other was dead. All is now well. Price was £420 and there is a 12 Month Parts and labour warranty Regards, Peter.

Hi Lee, The Jaguar diesels can be quite economical, and I regularly get over 40 mpg on longer runs, with a maximum return on one occasion of 50.2 on the M1 when there was a 50 mph restriction. Use premium fuel and you will get a good return. Regards, Peter.

Welcome to the Club, Lenny. The XF is a good solid car, and the successor to the S Type. All you need to know is to make sure the battery is kept in good order as Jaguars have a lot of electrics going on and a battery will last about 5 years. If your car is a diesel, use premium fuel and make sure that you have a long run now and then to keep the DPF nice and clean. All you have to do then is enjoy the Jaguar experience. Regards, Peter.

Hi Keith, One of the readings that came up was also Gearbox fault, which the AA man said was not uncommon when an EGR valve had completely failed --- The gearbox does not know what to do in such cases and was saying "Help". The OBD2 code P0404 is pointing to the left side EGR valve and the conclusion fro the word "static" and the clicking noise said it was duff. On that basis and former EGR issues with the other EGR valve got me to go for both valves being replaced. We will see tomorrow, and I will put away my toolkit which consists of a lump hammer and a few spanners. Regards, Peter.

Hi Keith, The "left side" is from standing in front of the engine on the drivers side. You can just see the EGR valve. Regards, Peter.

Hi Keith, The AA finding was that P0404 refers to the EGR valve on the left side of the engine and the report said it was "static". But at the same time I listened to the engine with the cover off, and I could hear a clicking noise which sounded like someone not opening. Carl was of the same opinion, but I know he will plug in his OBD2 reader to be on the safe side. I have hardly used the car -- only to move it on the drive -- and have been using my wife's Toyota Yaris to get around. Regards. Peter.

Hi Martin, and welcome to the club. I have used the David Manners Group on quite a few occasions [they are quite close to where I live] and I wonder if you have a chat with them they could be of assistance in recommending some one who is au fait with classic cars. It might also be useful to contact Jaguar Classic Cars. Good Luck, Peter.

Welcome to the Club, Lee. I worked in Sheffield for 12 years and enjoyed the Yorkshire experience. Being from Lancashire, I had Missionary Status. Regards, Peter.

Hi Kyle and welcome to the club. I have had a Nextbase Dashcam fpr a couple of years but I have not bothered wiring it directly, but just use the power source to connect it. It is very easy to disguise the wire and does the job OK. Regards, Peter.

Hi Keith, The restricted performance message on my S type was diagnosed by the AA as one faulty EGR valve P0402, and one that was not working at all - P0404. The car will be collected this evening for both to be replaced. More information as to the result tomorrow afternoon! Peter.

Hi Kenny, It looks like the XK8 would be a good car for you. I lived 500 yards from my office in the West Midlands, but I also had a company car and did about 20k a year. Retirement in 1999 let me choose cars! Regards, Peter.

Hi Kenny, and welcome to the club. Your choice is a good one. Two very good cars, and it comes down to whether you want a luxury saloon or a Grand Tourer. After my x type AWD V6 2.5 I wanted a luxury saloon, which is my regular car, as I am retired and only do around 5000 miles a year --- I always wanted an s type so I went for one with all the bells and whistles. If I was just wanting a weekend car and I did not need a car to carry grandchildren around occasionally, I would go for the XK8. Regards, Peter.

Hi Tim, A very useful piece of information, and well worth printing off and putting in your "useful" file. You did mention that your driving habits must change, something which was brought to my notice from SWMBO. Have a look at a website -- Ashford Lightfoot. I will PM you about the Widget they have invented which does work. Regards, Peter

Hi Mark, I have just run a check on my s type and it comes back with 14.5v to a high of 14.9v. The battery is fully charged as I have not been using my car for the last 10 days due to a "Restricted Performance" message which is being dealt with on Tuesday with 2 new EGR valves. Regards, Peter.

Hi Mally, Since 2002 I have used a mobile mechanic who knows everything about cars. I checked out the cost of s type EGR valves and they varied from £185 to £235 for each one. I though that I was looking at about £700 minimum for both to be supplied and fitted. Carl only uses genuine parts where possible and he also charges me the price he pays rather than the listed price. His supplier gave him £50 off each one which put the cost at £270 plus £150 labour which is not bad for a days work. He is picking up my s type on Monday evening so that he can start on Tuesday with a cold engine. He will bring my car back on Tuesday evening.. Good job well done as usual. Regards, Peter.

Welcome to the club, Gordon, Short answer, Yes. I sometimes get the same. Batteries usually last about five years, and if you do a lot short runs they will need charging about once a fortnight. It is surprising how much of the battery is used overnight when the car is sitting quietly n the garage or on the driveway. Regards, Peter.

Hi Mally, and a happy New Year to you and your wife, too. The s type does not like the cold, and I found that out last week when I had the Park Brake fault come up. I also had Gearbox fault, but it went and I found out from the AA mechanic when he came to see why I was getting restricted performance that Gearbox fault will dome up if an EGR valve is faulty, or in my case, dead. That is a good price for gearbox servicing, but a bit too far away from me! Getting a bit too old now for regular long trips, Keep in touch with the club, Mally. Regards, Peter.

Hi Mally, Hows things? I am having two new EGR valves fitted next week -- the first major job in 6 years! Regards, Peter.

That's good, David. There appears to be plenty of people who can supply catalytic converters, but you do need someone local who will give you a warranty after fitting, Regards, Peter.

Hi David, and welcome to the club. The best way to find a source for a catalytic converter in your locality is to just google "Catalytic Converter". There is also a very well recommended Garage in Doncaster that is a Jaguar Specialist who could also assist. Regards, Peter.

Hi John, The other John Birchall died two years ago -- he was 82. I just wondered if there were any relations. Good luck with the reset -- some have done it in one go. Some have taken three shots at it! Regards, Peter.

Hi Andy, Personally I don't feel the anything will be achieved by blocking off the EGR valves. Experts designed these rather good engines, and it is the government + climate control regulations the has introduced EGR Valves, DPFs, and other additions to the exhaust systems. Not being a design engineer I tend to go along with the principle that I should manage my car in the condition it left the factory. [mine left the production line in Castle Bromwich on 13th March 2007, and only the Leaping Jaguar on the bonnet is what is different. The engine is the same - no remapping or similar "improvements" -- the exhaust will last as long as the car being of stainless steel and I guess the car will last as long as me. [I am now heading towards my 85th Birthday.] The cost of maintenance of a Jaguar is not that high if you look towards preventing problems rather than fixing them after the event. My recommendation is Premium fuel and the odd additive. Changing the oil when it needs doing. Checking the tyres, the battery, and the engine fluids. But that's just me. I have a degree in nitpicking but it does seem to work. Regards, Peter.