Preventative Maintenance Schedule
Preventative Maintenance Schedule
Henry Fok
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.
From the manual: "The period between services should not
exceed 12 months."
A Interval
- Initial service at 1000 miles (or 1500km) after purchase
[or, perhaps, rebuild]
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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
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B Interval
- Performed at 7500, 22500, 35700, 52500, 67500, 82500, and
97500 miles (12000, 36000, 60000, 84000, 108000, 132000, and
156000km)
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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
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C
Interval
- Performed at 15000, 45000, 60000, and 90000
miles (24000, 72000, 96000, and 144000 km)
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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
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D Interval
- Performed at 30000 and 75000 miles (48000 and
120000 km)
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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
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Additions and notes from owners' experience:
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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.
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