XJ-S

1975-1996 / Coupe / Convertible / United Kingdom

All XJ-S problems All workshop issues

Minor Engine, Six-Cylinder (AJ6/AJ16)

3.6 cylinder liner issues

Symptoms

Coolant loss, white smoke, overheating. The 3.6-litre AJ6 can develop cracks in the cylinder liner sealing.

Cause

Design weakness in the early 3.6 engines. The liner seal can fail, allowing coolant to enter the combustion chamber.

Fix

Engine rebuild or replacement.

Not cheap.

This is one reason the 4.0-litre is the preferred six-cylinder variant.

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// More XJ-S problems

Other known issues

Common Engine, Six-Cylinder (AJ6/AJ16)

Timing chain tensioner failure

Rattle from the front of the engine on cold start, which may or may not settle when warm. In severe cases, the chain jumps a tooth and the engine runs badly or stops.

Minor Engine, Six-Cylinder (AJ6/AJ16)

Oil leaks (cam covers and sump)

Oil weeps from the cam cover gaskets and sump gasket. Drips on the exhaust and smokes.

Minor Engine, V12

Cooling system failure

Engine overheats, temperature gauge climbs into the red, coolant boils over. In severe cases, head gaskets fail and coolant enters the oil.

Common Engine, V12

Head gasket weeping

Coolant appears around the head gasket line (external weep), or coolant contaminates the oil (internal failure, mayonnaise under the filler cap, white exhaust smoke).

Common Engine, V12

Lucas ignition system failure (pre-1989)

Misfiring, rough idle, hard starting, power loss, sometimes total ignition failure.

Common Engine, V12

Marelli ignition issues (1989 onwards)

Similar symptoms to Lucas, misfiring, rough running, but less frequent and usually easier to diagnose.

View all 23 XJ-S problems