Preventative Maintenance Schedule

There has been all sorts of discussion about preventative maintenance; such as what needs to be done when. Preventative maintenance is the key to having an economical trouble-free Jaguar, as opposed to a hellish money pit. Below is a copy of the Jaguar recommended preventative maintenance schedule, as set forth in the 1984 XJ6 Series III Maintenance Handbook, and the 1984 Passport To Service. Be advised that the mileage numbers listed are for 'normal' service only; I've never met anyone who *always* drives more than 10 miles at highway speeds every time they start their car. I recommend that the conscientious owner halve the service intervals - perform the suggested services at half the interval, which is the 'severe' service recommendation. Note that metric measurements are not obtained by conversion, the numbers are precisely as Jaguar lists them.

A Interval - Initial service at 1000 miles (or 1500km) after purchase [or, perhaps, rebuild]

Lubrication Renew engine oil and engine oil filter Check/top up brake fluid reservoir Check/top up automatic transmission fluid Check battery condition Check/top up cooling system Check/top up rear axle oil Lubricate all locks and hinges (not steering lock) Check/top up power steering reservoir Engine Check security of engine mountings Check for oil leaks Fuel And Exhaust Systems Check fuel system for leaks, pipes and unions for chafing and corrosion Check exhaust system for leaks and security Transmission, Brakes, Steering And Suspension Check brake servo hoses for security and condition Check/adjust front wheel alignment Check footbrake and handbrake Check visually brake hydraulic pipes and unions for cracks, chafing, leaks and corrosion. Check for oil leaks. Wheels And Tires Check tires for tread depth and visually for external cuts in fabric, exposure of ply or cord structure, lumps or bulges Check that tires comply with manufacturer's specification Check/adjust tire pressures, including spare wheel Check tightness of road wheel fastenings Electrical Check/adjust operation of all washers, and top up reservoir(s) Check function of original equipment, i.e. lamps, horns, wipers, and all warning indicators Check/adjust headlamp alignment Body Check condition, security and operation of seats and seat belts Check operation of all door, bonnet, and luggage compartment locks Check operation of window controls. General Road/roller test and check function of all instrumentation Report additional work required

B Interval - Performed at 7500, 22500, 35700, 52500, 67500, 82500, and 97500 miles (12000, 36000, 60000, 84000, 108000, 132000, and 156000km)

Lubrication Lubricate all grease points Renew engine oil and engine oil filter Check/top up brake fluid reservoir Check/top up automatic transmission fluid Check battery condition Check/top up cooling system Check/top up rear axle oil Lubricate all locks and hinges (not steering lock) Check/top up power steering reservoir Engine Check for oil leaks Fuel And Exhaust System Check fuel system for leaks, pipes and unions for chafing and corrosion Check exhaust system for leaks and security Renew fuel filter (52,500 only) Transmission, Brakes, Steering And Suspension Check condition and security of steering unit, joints and gaiters Inspect brake pads for wear and discs for condition Check brake servo hoses for security and condition Check/adjust front wheel alignment Check visually brake hydraulic pipes and unions for cracks, chafing, leaks and corrosion. Check for oil leaks. Wheels And Tires Check tires for tread depth and visually for external cuts in fabric, exposure of ply or cord structure, lumps or bulges Check that tires comply with manufacturer's specification Check/adjust tire pressures, including spare wheel Check tightness of road wheel fastenings Electrical Check/adjust operation of all washers, and top up reservoir(s) Check function of original equipment, i.e. lamps, horns, wipers, and all warning indicators Check wiper blades and arms; renew if necessary Check/adjust headlamp alignment Body Check condition, security and operation of seats and seat belts Check operation of all door, bonnet, and luggage compartment locks Check operation of window controls. General Road/roller test and check function of all instrumentation Report additional work required

C Interval - Performed at 15000, 45000, 60000, and 90000 miles (24000, 72000, 96000, and 144000 km)

Lubrication Lubricate all grease points Renew engine oil and engine oil filter Check/top up brake fluid reservoir Check/top up automatic transmission fluid Check battery condition Check/top up cooling system Check/top up rear axle oil Lubricate all locks and hinges (not steering lock) Check/top up power steering reservoir Lubricate accelerator control linkage and pedal pivot; check operation Engine Check for oil leaks Fuel And Exhaust System Check fuel system for leaks, pipes and unions for chafing and corrosion Check exhaust system for leaks and security Transmission, Brakes, Steering And Suspension Check condition and security of steering unit, joints and gaiters Inspect brake pads for wear and discs for condition Check brake servo hoses for security and condition Check/adjust front wheel alignment Check visually brake hydraulic pipes and unions for cracks, chafing, leaks and corrosion. Check/adjust front hub bearing end-float Check tightness of propeller shaft coupling bolts Check for oil leaks. Wheels And Tires Check tires for tread depth and visually for external cuts in fabric, exposure of ply or cord structure, lumps or bulges Check that tires comply with manufacturer's specification Check/adjust tire pressures, including spare wheel Check tightness of road wheel fastenings Electrical Check/adjust operation of all washers, and top up reservoir(s) Check function of original equipment, i.e. lamps, horns, wipers, and all warning indicators Check wiper blades and arms; renew if necessary Check/adjust headlamp alignment Body Check condition, security and operation of seats and seat belts Check operation of all door, bonnet, and luggage compartment locks Check operation of window controls. General Road/roller test and check function of all instrumentation Report additional work required

D Interval - Performed at 30000 and 75000 miles (48000 and 120000 km)

Lubrication Lubricate all grease points Renew engine oil and engine oil filter Check/top up brake fluid reservoir Check battery condition Check/top up cooling system Check/top up rear axle oil Renew automatic transmission fluid and filter Lubricate all locks and hinges (not steering lock) Check/top up power steering reservoir Lubricate accelerator control linkage and pedal pivot; check operation Engine Check all driving belts - adjust Renew air cleaner element Check for oil leaks Ignition Renew spark plugs Lubricate distributor Fuel And Exhaust System Check fuel system for leaks, pipes and unions for chafing and corrosion Check exhaust system for leaks and security Renew oxygen sensor Transmission, Brakes, Steering And Suspension Check condition and security of steering unit, joints and gaiters Inspect brake pads for wear and discs for condition Check brake servo hoses for security and condition Check/adjust front wheel alignment Check visually brake hydraulic pipes and unions for cracks, chafing, leaks and corrosion. Check/adjust front hub bearing end-float Check tightness of propeller shaft coupling bolts Check for oil leaks. Wheels And Tires Check tires for tread depth and visually for external cuts in fabric, exposure of ply or cord structure, lumps or bulges Check that tires comply with manufacturer's specification Check/adjust tire pressures, including spare wheel Check tightness of road wheel fastenings Electrical Check/adjust operation of all washers, and top up reservoir(s) Check function of original equipment, i.e. lamps, horns, wipers, and all warning indicators Check wiper blades and arms; renew if necessary Check/adjust headlamp alignment Body Check condition, security and operation of seats and seat belts Check operation of all door, bonnet, and luggage compartment locks Check operation of window controls. General Road/roller test and check function of all instrumentation Report additional work required

***

Additions and notes from owners' experience:

From the UK Maintenance Handbook, two items that missed the list in the US edition: Flush the brake fluid every 18 months, or 18,000 miles. Renew the differential fluid every 30,000 miles. In addition to the above, there are a number of things that aren't on that list that should be: Despite what they look like, replace the belts by at least 60,000 miles. That is considered to be the upper limit of reliable life for drive belts by most manufacturers. Coolant hoses should be replaced as well at this point, just to make sure nothing blows up at an inopportune time. If you have a V12, consider replacing the coolant hoses every few (two or three) years. This will avoid the expense of an engine rebuild due to the dropped valve or valve seat you'll have if you overheat the car due to a blown hose. The XJ6 runs hot; the XJ12 is thermonuclear. Like many older cars, Jaguar considers replacement of the XJ6 headgasket at about 100,000 miles to be normal maintenance. This is good, because the original headgasket tends to go shortly after that. An improved headgasket has since been introduced that should solve this problem, but it's a bit late for all the original ones out there. Not a flaw, simply a characteristic of the 1940's design engine. Not all that expensive a service, and you are good to go for the indefinite future afterwards. Replace your coolant at least every 20,000 miles or two years, whichever comes first. Failure to do so can lead to corroded head studs and a very ugly mechanic's bill. Do not, under any circumstances, add Barrs Leaks with a coolant change as the owner's manual instructs you. This stuff is also known as 'Stuck Heads' and will make the removal of the head much more difficult (and costly). In addition, it is known to clog the radiator and thermostat in the XJ6, causing it to lose much of it's desperately needed cooling capacity. It is thought by some that this stuff can also contribute to the above-mentioned stud corrosion. While Barrs Leaks may work fine in other engine designs, it really isn't compatible with the XJ. The factory simply made a mistake. If it has been added to your XJ, the maker of Barrs Leaks also makes a flush to remove the stuff from the system. Use 20W50 or similar weight oil, unless you live in a place where they make houses out of ice. The XJ runs very hot, and lighter oils will quickly break down. Lighter oils will also simply leak out and/or be burned faster. The factory spec for oil consumption: one quart per five hundred miles is normal. These cars have fairly powerful starters and excellent oiling systems, so for any temperature down to about 20F, the thick oil won't make much of a difference in starting. Also, an XJ will get up to temperature quickly and stay there, at which point the heavier oil will provide superior protection. Replace your fuel injection system's hoses every five years. Sooner, if you live in a very hot environment or have a V12. Make sure you use hose and clamps rated for fuel injection use. Failure to do this can result in small problems such as an underhood fire, a destroyed car, and severe personal injury or death. Lest you think that this is a peculiarity of Jaguar, BMW and most other manufacturers in this category recommend (surprise) that their owners replace their fuel injection hoses every five years or so. Clean all exposed contacts every year or so. This includes the contacts in the underhood fusebox, the battery terminals, and the electrical connectors on the intake side. This will prevent many of the "Lucas gremlins" from getting into your electrics and will help keep your Jaguar running right. Treating the contacts with dielectric grease prior to reassembly will prevent any future corrosion. There are at least 14 grease points, and as many as 20, on the chassis. Out back, there are four around the center differential; one on each rear wheel hub and another one underneath same; one on each of the four u-joints, for a total of 12. Up front, there's one on each hub; one on each of the upper and lower ball joints unless they have been retrofitted with later versions. Some XJs have a grease nipple on the steering rack. If you haven't gotten to at least 14, with 12 out back, you haven't gotten them all. If you don't grease them all, you can later end up with a nice big bill for worn suspension parts.