Saw a 1984’ XJ 12 on the web. The seller writes, that the Jag is
leaking oil, as all XJ 12 of this age do. Is this true, and any
estimation what it might be?
Having a look to the car, where should I have a closer look, to get
an idea what might be the reason for this leak.–
pschlae
Zurich/ZH, Switzerland
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Most do leak, and in many places from what one reads here. A few
report that they have managed to get their engines leak free,
often after replacing all the gaskets and seals with modern
ones now available.
Typical leaks (not necessarily in order):
Front crankshaft seal
Rear crankshaft seal
Cam covers and associated half-moon seals at the rear
Oil pan and associated sandwich plate
Oil cooler hoses
Oil filter associated fittings.
Saw a 1984’ XJ 12 on the web. The seller writes, that the Jag is
leaking oil, as all XJ 12 of this age do. Is this true, and any
estimation what it might be?
Having a look to the car, where should I have a closer look, to get
an idea what might be the reason for this leak.
pschlae
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In reply to a message from Ed Sowell sent Wed 18 Jan 2006:
I was just wondering how to get this car thru the
MFK here in Switzerland (technical examination),
as they check if the engine is not leaking.
Could get quite expensive to stop leaking, or not?–
pschlae
Zurich/ZH, Switzerland
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Kirbert
(Author of the Book, former owner of an '83 XJ-S H.E.)
4
pschlae wrote:
I was just wondering how to get this car thru the
MFK here in Switzerland (technical examination),
as they check if the engine is not leaking.
Could get quite expensive to stop leaking, or not?
Could, and probably will. There are a couple of oil leaks on the V12
that are easy to get at and simple to fix, but most require some
considerable disassembly to replace gaskets, replace seals, etc.
Do you do your work yourself, or pay someone by the hour?
– Kirbert
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Very likely to be expensive if you have it done in a shop.
The procedures for doing the front seal and the cam cover gaskets
are described at my Web site. I have not done the pan/sandwich plate,
but it involves dropping the front suspension so it too will
be quite involved.
On the other hand it is impossible to tell what is actually required
without careful examination. There are some simple ones, e.g., the
oil pressure sender (in the vee between the throttle mechanism
and the fire wall) is a notorious leaker and can be replaced
without too much difficulty.
I was just wondering how to get this car thru the
MFK here in Switzerland (technical examination),
as they check if the engine is not leaking.
Could get quite expensive to stop leaking, or not?
pschlae
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In reply to a message from Ed Sowell sent Wed 18 Jan 2006:
Car is quite cheap around USD 1550, has 134000kms.
Would have to bring the Jag to a shop. Seller doesn’t know,
or doesn’t want to say where the Jag is leaking.–
pschlae
Zurich/ZH, Switzerland
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Sounds like maybe you haven’t seen the car yet. If that
is the case it’s too earlier to say that it’s cheap. Could
be overpriced, if you know what I mean
The usual advice on this list is to pay more to get a car
with fewer problems.
Car is quite cheap around USD 1550, has 134000kms.
Would have to bring the Jag to a shop. Seller doesn’t know,
or doesn’t want to say where the Jag is leaking.
pschlae
Zurich/ZH, Switzerland
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In reply to a message from Ed Sowell sent Thu 19 Jan 2006:
No, haven’t seen the car yet. Will do it on Sat. Where do I have to
look carefully, to identify what might be leaking. Guess just can
have a look from to top, not from under the car.
Is there also something like ‘‘mud’’ at the oil refil ‘‘thing’’ if
water is in the oil, or the coolant smelling like oil?
Short check list for oil-leaks? Thanks so much…–
pschlae
Zurich/ZH, Switzerland
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No, haven’t seen the car yet. Will do it on Sat. Where do I have to
look carefully, to identify what might be leaking.
Guess just can
have a look from to top, not from under the car.
The easy top-side checks are:
The oil pressure sender. There is a tower in the vee behind the
throttle pedestal that the sender screws into. It also has 3 or so
“banjo bolts” from which oil is piped to the cams at the end of each
head.
look for oil wetness in that area. If it is ABOVE the floor of the
vee either the sender or the banjo bolts are leaking… no big deal,
but
should be fixed.
use a mechanics telescoping mirror to check where the oil lines
(see 1 above)
attach to the back of the cam housings. If they are all fussed up and
wet
with oil, the seals need to be replaced. No big deal.
Underneath is very difficult to evaluate in a single session because
leaks from the
front will be carried to the rear. I believe the only way to really
tell is to
clean the underside thoroughly, drive it a day or two, and get under
it again.
Other than that, all you can do is to look for pathways of fresh, wet
oil,
as opposed to accumulated grime. Look between the crankshaft pulley
and the block, and around the edges of the oil pan.
Is there also something like ‘‘mud’’ at the oil refil ‘‘thing’’ if
water is in the oil, or the coolant smelling like oil?
Short check list for oil-leaks? Thanks so much…
I think the common wisdom applies here. In spite of the recent thread
on
head gaskets deteriorating, simple oil leaks are far more common.
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In reply to a message from Ed Sowell sent Fri 20 Jan 2006:
Ed,
Do you have, by accident, a photo where I can see to
location of the oil pressure sender? As I’m not familiar
with the XJ12 engine. That would help a lot.
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