Spot the grot
… the S-type’s problem areas
grade is the most common root of these problems. People use 10W/40 semi-synthetic oil but the carbon content is so high that it leads to a critical loss of compression. Fully synthetic 5W/30 oil must be used.’
A more common issue with the V8 is the secondary timing chain being thrown off after the plastic top tensioner has cracked. The engine is rarely wrecked but a new pair of chains and an alloy tensioner will be needed – budget £1050. It will be double that if a replacement engine is required.
While the Type R’s V8 is strong, the rubber hose beneath the supercharger perishes. It needs to be replaced every eight years or so, at £600.
The diesel engine can suffer various issues. ‘Failed EGR valves and injector seals aren’t unusual,’ says NWJC’S Matthew. ‘Regular high-speed runs will minimise problems. We’re replacing diesel engines surprisingly often – at £4500 a time.’
Unlike the chain-driven petrol engines the diesel powerplant has a cambelt and a diesel pump belt which need replacing every 110,000 miles or six years, at £600. If the cambelt snaps the engine is wrecked, but a failed pump belt won’t cause grief.
The turbochargers’ electronic actuator can fail. It’s rare and there’s no warning, but if the electronics go you have to replace both turbos. NWJC replaces them in pairs, at £1440 fitted.
Diesel S-types have a water-cooled gearbox radiator which feeds into the cooling system and if it fails it fills the gearbox with coolant, wrecking it. A new cooler costs £400 fitted. The first sign of trouble is slight vibrations through the bodyshell.
All gearboxes should be serviced every 60,000 miles. From 2002 the transmission was supposedly sealed for life but a service is still needed – £145 to maintain the earlier gearbox, £400 for the later one.
While manual transmissions are reliable, they’re unusual. Most S-types have a five- or six-speed auto, which can fail after just 60,000 miles. Even when healthy, the changes can be jerky, but a full service and a software update might smooth things out. On pre-2002 cars the gearboxes can be fixed for around £600 with some new components and a fresh electronic control body. Later cars need a rebuilt transmission instead, for £2500.
Be wary of a really jerky transmission. Some Diyers use Dexron III automatic gearbox oil at service time but the Zf-specific Lifeguard 6 must be used or trouble is guaranteed.
All S-types have power steering and faults are rare. The suspension is more troublesome as the
‘Regular highspeed runs will minimise many S-type problems’
balljoints wear in the front links, requiring the whole link to be replaced at £300 per side. The typical lifespan is 60-70,000 miles. Post-2002 cars have a redesigned part that’s more durable, but not interchangeable with the earlier component.
The rear suspension bottom wishbone bushes collapse, and the whole wishbone has to be replaced. Parts prices vary according to build year, but the XJ’S wishbones are cheapest of all and a direct swap, at £300 per side. However, NWJC can supply and fit brand new parts from £240.
Shock absorbers last well but the front damper bushes of post-2002 cars wear quickly, especially on diesels. New rear bushes cost £90 a side; fronts are £110 apiece. In the front suspension on all post-2001 cars there’s a lower arm known as the ‘banana arm’, which suffers from failed bushes; listen for knocking under braking.
Bushes aren’t available on their own from Jaguar and a new arm costs £360, but NWJC can replace the bushes (OE) at £90 per side or the arms at £130 per side (pattern parts). The electronic parking brakes fitted from 2002 can be unreliable. The motor can fail and replacements cost £250 but it might just be that the battery is on its last legs.
Trim and electrics
Both S-type leather and cloth interiors are durable, the seats don’t sag and the electric adjustment rarely gives problems. Don’t turn your nose up at a cloth-trimmed model – they’re extremely comfy. But do be wary of cream-coloured leather, as it cracks more readily than darker shades.
There are numerous potential electrical problems, such as faulty alarm systems, snapped electric window cables (£200 to fix, all-in) and failed central locking motors. Wiper linkage joints also wear and catch on the bonnet, with repair costs typically £120. On cars with Xenon lights, headlamp bulb replacement means removing the front bumper, so budget £200.
The wiring loom goes brittle, especially on post-2002 cars. See if the heater works properly. If it’s permanently hot or cold the wiring will need some TLC and it’ll cost at least £200 to fix – possibly much more if the fault is hard to trace.
On cars with touch-screen multi-media the remote control heater modules fail, but they can be repaired for about £145. Replacing the heater valve at £250-300 is useful preventative maintenance.