As of today, our 1995 Jaguar XJ6 (X300) has accumulated a total of 135,659 miles. I took the above picture today to figure out if the trip computer’s fuel economy of 11-12 mpg was correct. To do so, I filled up this morning at 135,592 and then filled up again this afternoon after work at 135,659. The 67 mile trip required 3.903 gallons of premium 93 octane gas. The end result was 17.166 mpg which is well within the advertised 15 city/22 highway. I guess the trip computer has developed a problem.
But my concerns were not limited to just the trip computer’s tabulations. My mechanic recently replaced the fuel rail, fuel injector o-rings, and checked the AIC (air idle control valve). The idle speed has been high (approx. 1100-1500 rpm) over the winter and the AIC would stick at times possibly due to moisture freezing inside. Unfortunately, the new AIC could not be installed without a Jaguar technician “re-learning” the unit. So, I have been communicating with a mechanic in Cleveland about doing the job. I have the new AIC in the box and am awaiting a time when the job can be completed.
The other news is a recent “update” to the front end of the Jaguar. Trenton and I replaced the broken passenger side headlight bracket earlier this week. Then Jefferson and I installed the headlight trim pieces that were missing when we first bought the car. It wasn’t as easy as expected. After installing the headlight bracket, we found that the hood rubbed against the inner most headlight on the passenger side. To compensate, I used my “immense strength” (and a pair of vice grips) to bend the hood up and out of the way.
The end result won’t win us a spot in the Body Shop Hall of Fame but the hood no longer rubs the headlight and the trim pieces are installed. The biggest lesson I have learned is that accidents cause a lot of problems that aren’t easily addressed by this backyard mechanic. If I want things to be done right, I will have to purchase another fender and hood and have a real body man make things look right. Until then, we’ll be happy with our efforts and keep driving the car. After all, it is 20 years old.
P.S. The former owner used black electrical tape to hold the inside of the grill together. Nice. Seems like something I would do.