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Repair guides and support for cars manufactured by Jaguar.

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How would I fix a car that wasn't started for 13 years- version 2!

Hello,

My grandpa has a bunch of cars that he doesn't feel like fixing in his backyard. I found a 1987 Jaguar XJ6 back there. According to the inspection sticker, it expired in 2003. I wasn't even born in 2003 yet. So, how would I fix it? Here's what I think it would need, and please correct me if I'm wrong.

-battery

-fuel (have to siphon out old gas)

-and a really good washing.

Would it need more than this? Also, how would I go taking it apart?

P.S. This is my first time fixing a car, so please explain it slowly lol

UPDATE:

I went over to his house again today and on Saturday I am going for the entire day to clean up the jag and an el Camino. I got 23(!) pictures of it today and it seems kinda in rough shape. Any advice?

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That's a few, don't feel like uploading them all lol

Answered! View the answer I have this problem too

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@gigabit87898 awesome! Sure it will need some work but other than the fender and the rest which is indicative of deeper issues, the rest is just cosmetics. Evict the rodents and start taking inventory on the damage.

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@oldturkey03 I found a creature in the engine bay; it was a mouse and it scared the holy $hit outta me. Almost fell down! :)

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@gigabit87898 that's to funny...;-)

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@oldturkey03 @mayer anybody know how much a flywheel is for the jag?

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There seem to be a lot of those, just Google "1987 Jaguar XJ6 & flywheel"

https://www.ebay.com/b/Flywheels-Flexpla...

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Inspect all cables for degradation of jackets, connectors, etc. If it's been in the backyard for more than a decade, the cable jacket may literally come apart when you touch it.

Same is true for all rubber gaskets, tubes, belts, tires.

Drain the transmission fluid, engine oil and coolant and get new fluids.

Some springs may be permanently bent due to being compressed for more than a decade.

The cylinders and pistons may be rusty. A complete rebuild is required and usually only an experienced mechanic with professional tools can do this properly.

Basically you need to tear the car apart and refurbish everything, replace anything that cannot be rebuilt/refurbished. Also check for corrosion on the body. It is not impossible that some frames have rusted all the way through. Expect dead/living animals in the car body and all tubes. Rats may have bitten through all non-metal tubes.

This can easily cost more than the car's worth, however if you want to do this as a hobby project you can try.

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I was going to just get it to start, that was my only goal lol. Also my grandpas dog also sniffs under that car whenever he's near it and my grandpa said that something is living in it. So, what do you think that it would be to fix it, as cheap as possible? With rebuilding everything as possible?

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Well you can find some car repair videos on YouTube to have a basic idea on what you are trying to do. "Eric the car guy" is a good start. I do believe this project is considered very difficult even for professionals so maybe you can start on some other smaller stuff.

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Gigabit, Just a thought! Does your school have auto shop class, if it does or you will be entering school soon that will offer this, consider saving the car as a project for you and your buddies. Some trade schools will also use persons/private vehicles for training of there students/apprentices, with no cost diagnosing and will go over necessary repairs with the owner in detail(normally no cost until parts needed which you do not have to do) since you may want to replace yourself. Libraries can also be a good source for some repair manuals for auto's. Good luck.

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Thank you, but my school doesn't have shops until high school, and I'm still in middle school. I will go to library and see if I can find any books for this car.

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Gigabit, good for you, hope you locate a good repair manual as it can be very informative and a good teaching aide in diagnosing and making repairs.

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@lpfaff1 now if you were @oldturkey03 (with his resources and search capabilities and experience) you would have given him a link to those manuals ;-)

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I've already searched and can't find a repair manual online.

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mayer, I did try search for free manual, (always ran into a glitch, when trying to get it for free), libraries are free and some are well equipped. I and I am sure Gigabit would appreciate oldturkey, yourself, or anyone else that could post a link for a good free 1987 Jaguar XJ6 repair manual. Thanks in advance.

Gigabit, try this link pretty informative

http://www.jag-lovers.org/xj-s/book/XJS_...

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@gigabit87898

What a find! But if I remember correctly you're in the 7th grade. This would probably be your first car. Most first cars do not last long as your are just learning to drive. This car is a classic and you might want to save it for your second car and plan on taking this one to college. https://classiccars.com/listings/find/19...

I would explain this to grand dad and ask if he has a car more fit for a first car and not as expensive to repair and find parts for. Preferably one that you can get parts for at your local auto zone. Maybe a cheaper Ford or Chevy that can take the inevitable dings that you will get while learning.

I made this mistake and gave a 1993 Dodge Stealth https://www.google.com/imgres?imgurl=htt...

to Oswaldo as a first car who impressed me when I met him at 14 https://www.ifixit.com/User/243784/osval...

Well he didn't need a car that would do 155 mph. He still does work for me and is now doing phone repair as his main money making endeavor and sure wishes he hadn't torn that car up now that he's 24.

And yes, he did take it up to 155 MPH except he did it on old tires not built to take that speed and is very lucky to be alive.

BTW - just three days ago I wrote a letter to the local municipal judge ( a friend of mine), to try to help him get his drivers license back after he lost it for to many speeding tickets

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155MPH!?! Oh my god, I think the fastest I will ever go is 60mph on the highway. Also yes I am in 7th grade. This was just something to tinker with.

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As you are probably aware I do have a lot of respect for you and the work you are doing here. You are a thoughtful intelligent young man, mature beyond your years. But this is not a good beginners project. I don't know where you live, but if in the USA, finding parts and knowledgable mechanics could be very difficult. I would save it for my second project. My grandfather also gave me my first couple of cars. Thankfully they were built like tanks.

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Thank you, I do live in the USA, and usually if I need help for anything engine or mechanical related I ask my grandpa, lol. I think he qualifies as a mechanic, he's been fixing things for over 40 years.

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So repair is in your genes ;-) Ask his opinion about what I suggested.

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@mayer I need help there's a bunch of Indian spammers saying Isis and racist things. I have a list of them on meta.

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@gigabit87898 I think this is a great opportunity. I'd give it a go. Start by draining all the fluids and replacing all fluids and filters. This includes the radiator fluid. After that, pull the plugs and see if the engine will crank over. You do not want to start it yet. Just have it crank over to see if it does so. Once it does and builds up some oil pressure you can think about replacing the plugs and seeing if it fires. Expect lots of smoke.....Right now just invest minimal. Filters fluids and a new battery for sure. After that talk to your grandpa and see what he thinks. One piece at a time. Jags that series have had some rust issues. Check on that for sure. Also. remember that you must consider the brakes as non-functioning so do not think about driving of somewhere. :-)

@gigabit87898 try something like this first Jaguar XJ6 or if you prefer the Jag version Jag Version XJ6

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How much do you think it will cost to get it to start? 100? Or like 1000?

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@gigabit87898 that'll be a depend. Depends what shape it was when it got parked. If it was running well, costs for all fluids, filters etc. might run you you a bit more than $100 but less than $1000. I'd invest the minimum just to determine what shape it is in.

If it wasn't running well, that cost could sky rocket. You may not know yet but a 350 Chevy engine was a popular transplant to those Jag's. Your Grandpa may know more about that.

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Your local animal shelter may provide you with a trap for a couple of days to help get the creature out.

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Oh yea, I haven't thought of that. Next time we go to the vet i will ask.

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First class question and I understand that it is very common to the American market which seems to suffer greatly from not be able to get a vehicle started.

The most used way to get a vehicle to start is to greet it each morning with a snarl, and scream "Startyabastard", then turn the engine over. I am given to understand that this intimate verbal contact has a soothing effect on the reluctant vehicle, and usually it responds in a satisfactory manner.

I sincerely hope that this long tried method works for you, and that your motoring gives you great pleasure.

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billandhiscats great answer LOL

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