cotswoldpete

Update - Been a long time as car was with mechanic while we had a break in the sun. I was told it was an fault with thermostat electrics, but could not get the chap to give me a proper low down - but the dealer we bought from paid for it to be sorted, and now the missus can get really chilly in a minute or so. Still need to load up photos of the motor, but no spare time at the mo.

Just been out for a drive. Within 20 seconds it was blowing cold air, then after 5 minutes it had decided to no longer do so. Inside temp set out 17, outside 24, so it should have been blowing cold. Stopped for two minutes, and then re-started engine and cold air for about 5 minutes, and then it starts to warm up. If I pumped heat to 25 it worked out that I wanted inside warmer than outside, so pumped out really warm air. So plan is to see if a re-gas is needed. I assume the cabin sensor is behind the vent to the left of the steering wheel. Is there likely to be a fault with that, it might it need a clean, not sure, but any suggestions welcome. I'll update once I have popped off to KwikFit or Auto-tyres for a check over. In auto mode the fan was running so hard it was a bit difficult to have a conversation, same with my LS, which is why I rarely use auto on AC systems. Noticed a few chips that need seeing to, but engine bay looks fine, and body work in general pretty good. What it could do with is a bit of TLC on the leather as it is in good nick, just needs a good clean to get it to sparkle.

I think if I were to go for a Jag it would be an XJ - but having been a LS400 driver for 7 years, it is the cheapest car by a country mile I have ever had to run. But I have loved the Jag look since being a kid, and can still remember my one and only trip in a e-type in 1982 from London to Bristol. I visited the Jag Museum at Browns Lane about a week before it moved and had a personal tour with the museum manager - now that was an experience to remember. I guess when it comes time to only have one car, the Jag may oust the LS out the way, but not seeing that happening for a while yet.

Never thought the good lady would get a Jag, but neither did she. X-type 2006, not sure of all the details, but leather seats, 17inch wheels, seemed good enough on test drive for her to part with cash. She was in a bit of a hurry, so hoping that nothing major going to come out of the woodwork, but having sussed out the Jag forum before the test drive, seems like the X-type is a good bargain buy, and in the main reliable. The good lady is out tonight (in her new toy) so not had a chance to play with the toys. Seems to have the iO kit for handsfree, but the Screen missing, so need to get that sorted. Reason a Jag is a surprise is the wife said she does not like big cars (she hates driving my LS 400), but seems to me the Jag is a bit like the Tardis, amazed that it is not much larger than the Honda Accord that it replaced, but is much roomier inside. I am sure it will be me posting questions on the forum, as the good lady is about as technical as a non-technical person can be. The one rule with the Jag will be looking after it better than the Honda which after 8 years looked like it has been used for farm work and could barely pull the skin off a rice pudding. The one thing I like about the X-type are the seats, they are much better fit than the LS 400, which is rather like being on a sofa. Wonder what she would say if I swapped seats???

The good lady has just get a 2006 X-type and when we test drove the aircon seemed to be cold for a while and then blow warm after a 5 minutes. The dealer said it would be sorted (bit of an Arthur Daley). The wife says she thinks it is no different to when test drove, so just wondered what could be the problem. I will try and take it out for a good run myself to check it all out, but if the car needed a re-gas then I would expect it to be lukewarm all the time, and if the compressor was at fault, then it would not do run could at all. But any ideas on what to look for, listen for when the wife lets me starts poking about under the bonnet. I want to make sure if it's a big issue I am back to the dealer by the weekend to get sorted. Checked out the sills (having searched on this forum ahead of test drive), and looks okay but will be using a fine tooth comb over the whole thing and making sure this motor is looked after a bit better than her last one. Must say as a Lexus LS 400 driver, the Jag was quite impressive with the 2.1 litre petrol engine, and quite pokey in low gear, and it is a million miles better than the Honda Civic she had before. I am sure I will be posting other questions once I get behind the wheel properly, and post a photo on the profile.