Experience in a Book
Storage Tips

This section provides tips for storing an XJ-S for extended periods.

FUEL STABILIZING: Fuel reportedly doesn't store well, it goes "stale". Fuel lines and other components may be affected by "varnishing".

In the old days of carburetors, it was usually recommended to cut off the fuel supply and run the engine until the fuel lines and float bowls are empty. Unfortunately, this is more difficult to accomplish on an EFI system -- and may do more harm than good. The electric fuel pump is immersed in fuel, and running it for any length of time with air in it is probably not advisable. The worst thing for injectors is water, so condensation in empty fuel lines wouldn't be good.

The local auto parts store sells fuel stabilizers that can be added to fuel. Before storing a car, add some fuel stabilizer to the tank and drive the car for a while to get it circulated throughout the fuel system.

ENGINE FOGGING: The auto parts stores sell aerosol foggers for preparing engines for storage. For the Jaguar V12, you will need two cans of aerosol fogger. When ready to park it, take both air cleaner covers off and disable the ignition and EFI -- you can disable both in one move by disconnecting the white/slate/blue wire to the ignition amp right on top of the engine. Have one person stand on either side of the car with a spray can of engine fogger in hand while a third person holds the throttle open and turns the starter. A good blast for a few seconds in both sides at the same time. Turn off the starter and foggers at the same time, so you don't run any fresh air through behind the fog.

When it comes time to drive the car again, it is generally considered a good idea to change the oil promptly. There may have been condensation during storage, which will contaminate the oil.

TIRES: The following was attributed to a Yokohama tech rep: "He recommended two methods for storing vehicles. First, inflate the tires to 65 psi and leave the weight of the vehicle on the tires. 65 psi? Modern tires will accept 65 psi for storage without damage. You just can't drive on them at this pressure without damage. He did caution, however, that old stamped steel rims may not be able to take this pressure with out damage. His second recommendation was to keep the tires at the proper inflation pressure and to remove the weight of the vehicle from the tires (ie. put the car on jack stands).

"The tech rep stated the reason for these two alternatives was that all tires contain nylon (typically, the nylon covers the steel cords and keeps the steel cords from working their way through the tread). The nylon will develop a flat spot. The colder the temperature, the faster and more pronounced the flat spot will be. Jag owners in Edmonton, Alberta, and Bismark, ND should have first hand knowledge of this.

"A final recommendation, store the vehicle in a dark, well ventilated, cold room. Light (specifically ultra-violet light), temperature, and moisture will damage the vehicle finishes and rubber over time."

CAR COVERS: The general consensus is not to use car covers for long-term storage due to their adverse affect on ventilation. Car covers are apparently better left to daily use only.

BATTERY: Herbert Sodher hails from the cold North where people store their Jaguars all winter and drive less valuable vehicles in the snow. When stored that long, the battery in the XJ-S tends to go dead. The alternator, clock, and some stereos and security systems put a small drain on the battery when the car is parked. Jaguar recommends disconnecting the battery if stored more than a month, but that may be assuming too much about the condition of the battery and how easy the engine will be to start. And, disconnecting the battery requires resetting the clock, all the stations on the digital radio, and possibly some security stuff, all of which is a pain.

Sodher suggests the owner go to an auto supply store and purchase an on-board, fully automatic trickle charger and install it in the car. One called the Mity-Mite is made by Schumacher Electric Corp., is rated at 1.5 amp, and costs around $30. This unit is so small that Sodher attached it right to the front of his battery with Velcro, and the battery cover will fit over it (his battery is not the original -- it may require a different location for the Jaguar battery). It comes with eyelet connectors that can be connected directly to the battery terminals. Merely remove the nut on the clamping bolt from each terminal, put on the connectors, and reinstall the nuts. The unit comes with a one-foot power cord, just enough to feed outside the battery box. When parked for extended periods, merely run an extension cord into the trunk. The unit will automatically charge the battery as required, and won't overcharge it.

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