[xj40] oil types/LONG LONG commute

XJ40
1

for better or worse, and probably because i have been on the list too long,
i use synthetic 5-50w in my car year round. seems to work every season and
gives me a good range, albeit at $5 a quart. i swap it out every 5,000
miles. i will say that at 3k miles when i had a valve cover gasket crap out
the oil looked very very dirty.

so for cost issues … filter and oil with conventional oil is about $20
against a $50 charge from my shop for 3,000 miles. filter and synthentic
oil is about $50 against a $100 charge for a synthenic oil change charge at
about 5,000 miles

it’s a little more expensive, but it kinda makes me feel more comfortable.
i am perfectly willing to be convinced otherwise.

in re the LONG LONG commute: i did a job interview today. 50 miles either
direction from home, one hour each way, most travel at what we in the US
call a reverse commute, against the flow of traffic. ok, but it could
become boring, tiring, and require a move to the new job location if i get
the offer (lower wages, lower cost of living there). nice to be cruising
home at 80 and see all the cops on the other side of the road dealing with
regular commuting traffic. downside between the 500 miles per week is that
i could become complacent in heavy traffic. then again, in an old jag with
no value…and at those speeds … bring it on! i need another couple of
years to amortize the remanufactured head. but, i looked at my mileage rate
and figured that i could do 4.5 days of this commute before needing to get
fuel again, and could drive in the driveway after five days on fumes. I
just don’t like to cut it that close, nor do i want to put 25K commuting
miles a year on this car.

So…that would be the excuse to buy a couple more Jags, right?

Eliot Brenner
Annandale, Va.
89 xj40 at 1018XX after today’s job interview

Visit the Jag Lovers homepage at http://www.jag-lovers.org for exciting services and resources including Photo Albums, Event Diary / Calendar, On Line Books and more !

2

Eliot,
Having once upon a time lived in the DC area – there is no such thing as
against traffic!! S

A couple of thoughts. Whilst the '88 is getting up in years and mileage, it
is still a classic ride. I am not so sure I would want to beat it up with
that kind of mileage when it will last years longer with out the commute.
The other problem I would have is the fact that gasoline prices are only
going to get worse.

Two weeks ago we were paying $1.59 for 93 octane premium. Yesterday it was
$1.81 at the same pumps. While that is only a $4.40 increase per tank, I
fear the worst is yet to come. Down here, the gas people are saying that
Premium will be over $3.00 per gallon by the start of summer – even higher
by the end of summer. I understand these prices are nothing like those
already experienced in the UK or California. At these rates, it is time to
seriously consider an LPG conversion like many in the UK have done or worse
yet – importing the new Diesel X-Type.

You might consider a high MPG beater for the commute and keep the Jag for
the rest of the travels.

Clark
'88 XJ40
'67 420
'67 S-Type----- Original Message -----
From: “Eliot Brenner” eliotb@cox.net
To: xj40-digest@jag-lovers.org
Sent: Monday, March 08, 2004 8:58 PM
Subject: [xj40] oil types/LONG LONG commute

for better or worse, and probably because i have been on the list too
long,
i use synthetic 5-50w in my car year round. seems to work every season
and
gives me a good range, albeit at $5 a quart. i swap it out every 5,000
miles. i will say that at 3k miles when i had a valve cover gasket crap
out
the oil looked very very dirty.

so for cost issues … filter and oil with conventional oil is about $20
against a $50 charge from my shop for 3,000 miles. filter and synthentic
oil is about $50 against a $100 charge for a synthenic oil change charge
at
about 5,000 miles

it’s a little more expensive, but it kinda makes me feel more comfortable.
i am perfectly willing to be convinced otherwise.

in re the LONG LONG commute: i did a job interview today. 50 miles either
direction from home, one hour each way, most travel at what we in the US
call a reverse commute, against the flow of traffic. ok, but it could
become boring, tiring, and require a move to the new job location if i get
the offer (lower wages, lower cost of living there). nice to be cruising
home at 80 and see all the cops on the other side of the road dealing with
regular commuting traffic. downside between the 500 miles per week is
that
i could become complacent in heavy traffic. then again, in an old jag
with
no value…and at those speeds … bring it on! i need another couple of
years to amortize the remanufactured head. but, i looked at my mileage
rate
and figured that i could do 4.5 days of this commute before needing to get
fuel again, and could drive in the driveway after five days on fumes. I
just don’t like to cut it that close, nor do i want to put 25K commuting
miles a year on this car.

So…that would be the excuse to buy a couple more Jags, right?

Eliot Brenner
Annandale, Va.
89 xj40 at 1018XX after today’s job interview

Visit the Jag Lovers homepage at http://www.jag-lovers.org for exciting
services and resources including Photo Albums, Event Diary / Calendar, On
Line Books and more !

Visit the Jag Lovers homepage at http://www.jag-lovers.org for exciting services and resources including Photo Albums, Event Diary / Calendar, On Line Books and more !

3

Eliiot- stick with the Jag for the commute! When I left my wife’s Civic at
home and started using the XJ40 for the hour drive (each way) over Afton
mountain (Eliot knows where I’m referring to) life improved considerably.
And good luck!

Martin Violette
'91 Sovereign
Crozet, Virginia

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4

In reply to a message from Eliot Brenner sent Tue 9 Mar 2004:

Elliot,

Don’t use the synthetic oil, switch back to Jaguar suggested petro
based grade. I used Mobil 1 on both 1989 and 1990 and have damaged
the upper end. It seems that the viscosity is too thin and the
synthetic goes down the valves and cause unexpected wear which
contridict Mobil’s claim. My 90 had lost oil pressure integraty
which is indicated by the oil guage, it goes up and down with the
speed of the rpm. Before Mobil 1, the oil pressure was always
constant! She only have 65k miles. The 89 was saved because it
was not driven much and have since been back on 10-40.

Lee
1989 and 1990, XJ40–
The original message included these comments:

for better or worse, and probably because I have been on the list too long,
I use synthetic 5-50w in my car year round. seems to work every season and
gives me a good range, albeit at $5 a quart. I swap it out every 5,000
miles. I will say that at 3k miles when I had a valve cover gasket crap out
the oil looked very very dirty.

–
Star-Rider
Alhambra, CA, United States
–Posted using Jag-lovers JagFORUM [forums.jag-lovers.org]–

Visit the Jag Lovers homepage at http://www.jag-lovers.org for exciting services and resources including Photo Albums, Event Diary / Calendar, On Line Books and more !

5

Not to worry. The U of MN has just come out with a way to turn ethanol into hydrogen directly by injecting it into a catalyst. This eliminates the need to store
pressurized hydrogen gas, driving around with a tank of hydrogen and fueling problems.

After being interviewed by an Ethanol Management Company with 22 plants under management in the Midwest and seeing the above, I am of the opinion gas will top out at a
point where the ethanol/hdrogen process becomes economical and it wont be $3/gallon.

Also, we have forgotten Jimmy Carter’s DOE project to extract oil from Montana Oil Shale. Big oil keeps saying it is not competitive and killing the project but we are
reaching the point where so much capital is leaving this country that if we don’t do any of the above we wont need to worry about driving Jaguars unless we immigrate to
the UK or Australia.

Jay 90 XJ6 Vanden Plas Majestic (200,000)

Clark wrote:

Eliot,
Having once upon a time lived in the DC area – there is no such thing as
against traffic!! S

A couple of thoughts. Whilst the '88 is getting up in years and mileage, it
is still a classic ride. I am not so sure I would want to beat it up with
that kind of mileage when it will last years longer with out the commute.
The other problem I would have is the fact that gasoline prices are only
going to get worse.

Two weeks ago we were paying $1.59 for 93 octane premium. Yesterday it was
$1.81 at the same pumps. While that is only a $4.40 increase per tank, I
fear the worst is yet to come. Down here, the gas people are saying that
Premium will be over $3.00 per gallon by the start of summer – even higher
by the end of summer. I understand these prices are nothing like those
already experienced in the UK or California. At these rates, it is time to
seriously consider an LPG conversion like many in the UK have done or worse
yet – importing the new Diesel X-Type.

You might consider a high MPG beater for the commute and keep the Jag for
the rest of the travels.

Clark
'88 XJ40
'67 420
'67 S-Type

----- Original Message -----
From: “Eliot Brenner” eliotb@cox.net
To: xj40-digest@jag-lovers.org
Sent: Monday, March 08, 2004 8:58 PM
Subject: [xj40] oil types/LONG LONG commute

for better or worse, and probably because i have been on the list too
long,
i use synthetic 5-50w in my car year round. seems to work every season
and
gives me a good range, albeit at $5 a quart. i swap it out every 5,000
miles. i will say that at 3k miles when i had a valve cover gasket crap
out
the oil looked very very dirty.

so for cost issues … filter and oil with conventional oil is about $20
against a $50 charge from my shop for 3,000 miles. filter and synthentic
oil is about $50 against a $100 charge for a synthenic oil change charge
at
about 5,000 miles

it’s a little more expensive, but it kinda makes me feel more comfortable.
i am perfectly willing to be convinced otherwise.

in re the LONG LONG commute: i did a job interview today. 50 miles either
direction from home, one hour each way, most travel at what we in the US
call a reverse commute, against the flow of traffic. ok, but it could
become boring, tiring, and require a move to the new job location if i get
the offer (lower wages, lower cost of living there). nice to be cruising
home at 80 and see all the cops on the other side of the road dealing with
regular commuting traffic. downside between the 500 miles per week is
that
i could become complacent in heavy traffic. then again, in an old jag
with
no value…and at those speeds … bring it on! i need another couple of
years to amortize the remanufactured head. but, i looked at my mileage
rate
and figured that i could do 4.5 days of this commute before needing to get
fuel again, and could drive in the driveway after five days on fumes. I
just don’t like to cut it that close, nor do i want to put 25K commuting
miles a year on this car.

So…that would be the excuse to buy a couple more Jags, right?

Eliot Brenner
Annandale, Va.
89 xj40 at 1018XX after today’s job interview

Visit the Jag Lovers homepage at http://www.jag-lovers.org for exciting
services and resources including Photo Albums, Event Diary / Calendar, On
Line Books and more !

Visit the Jag Lovers homepage at http://www.jag-lovers.org for exciting services and resources including Photo Albums, Event Diary / Calendar, On Line Books and more !

Visit the Jag Lovers homepage at http://www.jag-lovers.org for exciting services and resources including Photo Albums, Event Diary / Calendar, On Line Books and more !

6

In reply to a message from Eliot Brenner sent Tue 9 Mar 2004:

Eliot, I have been thinking anything is a good enough excuse to buy
another Jag. I am soon driving to see my dad in Los Angeles from
Vancouver Wa. That is enough miles to give me an excuse to buy
another Jag. My wife took the Jag to the store and left me with the
Honda. That is enough to give me an excuse to buy another Jag. My
dog barked at me this morning. That is enough to give me an excuse
to buy another Jag. Lately it isn’t taking much! Then I saw this
1994 Jaguar XJ6 Sedan. 48,505 miles. $14,995. within 20 miles of me
at http://www.nwicars.com/sedans.htm a little pricy but so so
clean. And of course, this was enough of an excuse to buy another
Jag!–
The original message included these comments:

So…that would be the excuse to buy a couple more Jags, right?
Eliot Brenner

–
leggament 94XJ6
–Posted using Jag-lovers JagFORUM [forums.jag-lovers.org]–

Visit the Jag Lovers homepage at http://www.jag-lovers.org for exciting services and resources including Photo Albums, Event Diary / Calendar, On Line Books and more !

7

In reply to a message from Eliot Brenner sent Tue 9 Mar 2004:

Eliot

I bought my XJ40 specifically as a commuter vehicle. I travel
100kms each way to work and back through really bad Sydney traffic.
The journey can take as ‘quick’ as 1.5hrs or as long as 3 hrs on a
really bad day.

Yesterday for example it took me 2.5 hrs to get home, the weather
was 42 degrees C outside ( about 108F ) and the traffic crawled for
most of the way.( The aircon works great ! )

With a daily journey like this, it is essential for me to have a
reliable comfortable car that can handle the high weekly milage. If
I had a 1300cc shopping trolly it would need to be replaced every
year or so, where-as the XJ40 is in for the long haul !!

Petrol here is currently 85c per litre ( about US60c/litre or $3.00
per gallon ) AND Insurance is cheap ( approx US $400 p/a fully
comp ) So - why drive anything else ?

I change the oil every 10,000 km’s ( 6,000 miles ) and the car is
washed once a month whether it needs it or not. Also it’s annual
interior clean out is due next week, I might even polish the dash
this year ! Seriously though - if you look after it, the XJ40 is
the ideal commuter.

Good Luck.–
The original message included these comments:

in re the LONG LONG commute: I did a job interview today. 50 miles either
direction from home, one hour each way, most travel at what we in the US
call a reverse commute, against the flow of traffic. ok, but it could

–
steve marsden
avoca beach, Australia
–Posted using Jag-lovers JagFORUM [forums.jag-lovers.org]–

Visit the Jag Lovers homepage at http://www.jag-lovers.org for exciting services and resources including Photo Albums, Event Diary / Calendar, On Line Books and more !

8

In reply to a message from Star-Rider sent Tue 9 Mar 2004:

I always thought a benefit of synthetic (whichever brand) is
that it provides a stable viscosity? Synthetic will clean
things up and provide leaks where seals aren’t up to the
task. Which grade synthetic did you use?

I’d use synthetic except with almost 140,000 miles on the
clock, and lower oil seal gaskets that are original, I’m
afraid she’d bleed like a stuffed pig. Synthetic would
probably wash away some of the grudge from my valve stems
and I’d get some smoke at start up.–
The original message included these comments:

based grade. I used Mobil 1 on both 1989 and 1990 and have damaged
the upper end. It seems that the viscosity is too thin and the
synthetic goes down the valves and cause unexpected wear which

–
John John
–Posted using Jag-lovers JagFORUM [forums.jag-lovers.org]–

Visit the Jag Lovers homepage at http://www.jag-lovers.org for exciting services and resources including Photo Albums, Event Diary / Calendar, On Line Books and more !

9

In reply to a message from John John sent Thu 11 Mar 2004:

John John,

I forgot exactly the wt, but I think its the 5-50 Mobil One when at
40k miles. If you are right about synthetic really have cleansing
effect, I might use it to clean out some of the carbon inside the
rest of the combustion chamber? My rebuild head will have seals in
it where as when the first time when I tried it didn’t have seals
from the factory. Is this a good idea or NOT? Anyone?

Lee

1989 VDP
1889 XJ40–
The original message included these comments:

In reply to a message from Star-Rider sent Tue 9 Mar 2004:
I always thought a benefit of synthetic (whichever brand) is
that it provides a stable viscosity? Synthetic will clean
things up and provide leaks where seals aren’t up to the
task. Which grade synthetic did you use?

–
Star-Rider
Alhambra, CA, United States
–Posted using Jag-lovers JagFORUM [forums.jag-lovers.org]–

Visit the Jag Lovers homepage at http://www.jag-lovers.org for exciting services and resources including Photo Albums, Event Diary / Calendar, On Line Books and more !

10

When they refer to synthetic having a cleaning effect they usually refer
to cleaning the crud/sludge in the oil passages and around seals. In a very
old poorly maintained engine this can actually be a bad thing as sometimes
that crud on seals is the only thing keep the oil in. That’s where I think a
lot of stories about increased oil consumption and leaks originate.

I wouldn’t expect the oil to do any cleaning in the combustion chamber as
your not supposed to have any oil there. Besides if you have the head off it
should be a simple matter of removing the carbon manually.----- Original Message -----
From: “Star-Rider” ljl888@aol.com
To: xj40@jag-lovers.org
Sent: Friday, March 12, 2004 3:15 AM
Subject: Re: [xj40] oil types/LONG LONG commute

In reply to a message from John John sent Thu 11 Mar 2004:

John John,

I forgot exactly the wt, but I think its the 5-50 Mobil One when at
40k miles. If you are right about synthetic really have cleansing
effect, I might use it to clean out some of the carbon inside the
rest of the combustion chamber? My rebuild head will have seals in
it where as when the first time when I tried it didn’t have seals
from the factory. Is this a good idea or NOT? Anyone?

Lee

1989 VDP
1889 XJ40

The original message included these comments:

In reply to a message from Star-Rider sent Tue 9 Mar 2004:
I always thought a benefit of synthetic (whichever brand) is
that it provides a stable viscosity? Synthetic will clean
things up and provide leaks where seals aren’t up to the
task. Which grade synthetic did you use?

–
Star-Rider
Alhambra, CA, United States
–Posted using Jag-lovers JagFORUM [forums.jag-lovers.org]–

Visit the Jag Lovers homepage at http://www.jag-lovers.org for exciting
services and resources including Photo Albums, Event Diary / Calendar, On
Line Books and more !

Visit the Jag Lovers homepage at http://www.jag-lovers.org for exciting services and resources including Photo Albums, Event Diary / Calendar, On Line Books and more !