Nic James

How'd it go?

MC & HNY. Make sure you keep the rear wheel arches free of crud. Tin-worm is rife in these parts.

Make sure the grade is 5/30 fully synthetic.

Peterborough. Hi all.

Hi Simon I've had my XJ8 Sport for six years now. My engine management light comes on periodically as well. When tested, it says there is a problem with the left hand catalytic converter although all seems to be well. A dealer friend of mine who is also a Jag nut (and who sold me mine) says the fault with the light is common-place and after having it checked over on three occasions, I've learned to live with it because after a couple of weeks/months, it goes out of its own accord. In my case, I think I've traced the problem. For the first four years of ownership, I only put branded fuel in. Since testing out BP Ultima 97-octane I attained 26.4mpg. For the return journey (Bath to Peterborough), all I could get with a tank verging on fumes, was Tesco's unleaded. Lo and behold, 28.4 mpg and the EML went out! Make sure you put the car into Sport mode periodically and when the engine is at optimum temperature, give it a boot-full. Yours Nic James

Hi Richard I too had the exactly the same problem a few years ago with my XJ8 Sport. The problem progresses to the red warning light coming on and the vehicle going into 'crawl' mode. Again, if you switch the engine off, wait ten seconds, then restart, all should be well. Until, that is, the next time. The problem lies with the throttle potentiometer. The only cure is a replacement and I'm afraid they don't come cheap (does anything?). If you get it sorted by a Jag specialist, think around £850, though a main dealer will be by far more expensive. On the positive side, once done the problem should not reoccur. You may be able to get a second hand part but who knows how long it will last as this seems to be a common problem. All the best Nic James