Q&A

Jaguar World's technical advice service

Edited by Ray Ingman

Sportbrake space saver

QI have recently purchased a 2019 XF Sportbrake 3.0S and am generally very happy with it and its level of equipment. However, I was horrified to discover that instead of any form of spare wheel, it has a ‘tyre repair kit’ comprising a small compressor and a pot of goo to inject in a flat tyre.

In my experience, low profile tyres such as the 255/35x20s fitted to my car, once punctured, rarely survive driving to the nearest safe space in a repairable condition. As I tow quite extensively and don’t want to be stuck in a layby, my question is: can any form of spare wheel be fitted in the rear underfloor area of my car?

Trawling the internet forums has provided conflicting opinions, some advising that a raised boot floor is required – which would negate the large flat area usability of the loadspace. Whilst I’m ‘here’, I have a supplementary question: In the tailgate is a neat little compartment to contain a warning triangle - a good idea, as inevitably one stored under the floor is inaccessible in a hurry due to the presence of luggage or similar. However, the previous owner has presumably kept it, causing me a problem – I cannot find a triangle small enough to fit the available space. Hoping for positive answers! Alan Wilshire

ACoincidentally, we have recently encountered the exact same problem, so we can provide a definitive answer! Many forums confuse your ‘X260’ aluminium model (2015 on) with

STAR

QUESTION

the earlier steel bodied ‘X250’ (201215) version, both simply dubbed Sportbrake – hence the disparity in information.Also some of the facts are confused with the XF saloon variant. Due to the location of the battery and other components, it’s not possible to house a full-size spare wheel beneath the loadspace floor but a space saver option is available and will fit beneath an unmodified floor. A replacement foam insert is required (part number T2H36106) which retails at around £125 but can often be found less expensively online.

You will then require a space saver wheel to match the rolling radius of your existing tyres – this information can be found on the tyre data sticker inside the driver’s door shut. (In your case 135/80x18). Again, these spare wheels can be found widely in unused condition. The PCD is common to many other models including the XE and F-Type.

Remember, you will also require a jack and wheel brace, either generic or factory original, the latter having the advantage of fitting neatly in the dedicated cut-outs in the foam insert.

Moving on to your supplementary question, you are being harsh on the previous owner – Jaguar only supplied the triangle as standard to markets that had a legal requirement for them. The required unit is indeed an unusual size, being contained in a square section plastic box, the part number is T2H7754 and at £26 is hardly a bargain, but at least it stows neatly and accessibly.

Courtesy of Sealey Products (www.sealey.co.uk; 01284 757500), the sender of each issue’s Star Question will be the envy of their friends when they receive an aluminium adjustable-focus 3w LED torch (worth £28.74 Inc. VAT). The ‘LED020’ produces an extremely bright white light with an output of 110 lumens – count them! The illumination pattern can be altered from spotlight to wide area with a simple twisting action of the head and a three-function on/off push-button provides full, half and blinking light possibilities. All this is contained within a lightweight aluminium housing and is powered by three AAA batteries (not included).

XKR Fobbed Off

QI own a 2003 XKR and when operating the ‘remote’ key fob, I have to stand right next to the driver’s door or the rear glass antenna.

I have re-programmed both key fobs and also tried a new fob, (which was obviously programmed to my car) but to no avail. I have searched for answers and found someone with exactly the same model year car with the exact same problem. He had two successive security control modules fitted and both times, they initially worked, but the problem eventually returned

I have located the control module buried in the rear driver’s side under the fuse board but am reluctant to go any further for fear of causing more problems. Does the antenna cable run to the top of the rear screen and if the control module has an earth, where should I check this? I am desperate to resolve the problem, having spent loads of money recently sorting the suspension and steering. Many thanks if you can help. Jon Willcox

AThe security antenna location is in the offside C post of a Coupe and on the convertible it is situated adjacent to the offside rear quarter light. The earthing point for the security and locking module is neighbouring the battery and its integrity and condition should be checked. Additionally, the control module connections often corrode; the pins can disintegrate and hence fail internally.

As a test of signal strength, try the headlamp or boot release buttons at a distance. If these work correctly, the remote is the culprit; the logic behind this is that these buttons get less wear than the door unlock function. There are cheap testers available that measure signal strength. However, another simple test option is to

AYour specialist does indeed live up to the title and is correct in their assertion. Another option is to remove the engine and gearbox assembly to gain access from the other end.

The rear suspension method is the most economic option but bear in mind that it is wise to programme in any other element of planned maintenance – for obtain a convertible aerial cable, (these retail for around £50) - plug it into the module and feed it out externally via the boot seal. An improvement in transmission will confirm a shielding issue and to cure this will require the systematic checking all other earths and power sources. Any anomalies can give rise to signal corruption that effectively shields in a fashion akin to the ‘Starship Enterprise’s’ cloaking device.

E-type Propshaft problem

QWhilst investigating a severe vibration, my V12 E-Type has been diagnosed as having suffered propshaft universal joint failure – I asked my specialist to go ahead and replace the offending component but was horrified by the size of the quote! Apparently, it is necessary to remove the rear suspension to effect the repair; is this true? Jack Layton instance a clutch change or differential reseal to amortise the labour cost over more than the one operation. Referring to the propshaft: we obviously recommend that both UJs are replaced – but prior to that, the sliding spline should be checked for wear. If found to be present, a brand new, balanced shaft will be the most practical solution.

Send your technical questions to jwm.questions@kelsey.co.uk

JW would like to thank Martin Pike of Classic Engineering, (01992 788967) Keith Parrington of Painting Classic Cars (01323 885123) and Tom Lenthall of Tom Lenthall Ltd (0118 9731614)