Causes of Differential Problems in a Jaguar

Posted on | 21 Mar 2018 By Anita Gaal

Owning a Jaguar is a luxury, where the driver gets to experience what it’s like to be behind the wheel of one of the most highly sought after vehicles in the world. Jaguars, however, aren’t immune to the same typical car issues that the average driver may experience—certainly without the proper level of ongoing care and maintenance. Although, caring for such a car without the guidance of a Jaguar specialist can be difficult, especially if you’re not a car enthusiast yourself.

One of the typical roadblocks that Jaguar vehicles run into is a problem with the rear differential. Unfortunately, Jaguars are known for their ingenuity in suspension, which is designed to give drivers an all around excellent experience in vehicle performance. This paradox in luxury vehicle design has left Jaguar drivers wondering how to tackle the issue of differential problems, especially considering Jaguar was one of the early pioneers in rear suspension components. Depending on the year and model Jaguar you drive, diagnosis and treatment may vary. It helps to have some basic background information about what a differential does in your Jaguar and the possible causes of its failure.

What does the differential in a Jaguar do?

A differential is part of the suspension in all vehicles. Its main purpose is to regulate how the wheels move and shift while turning in an effort to counterbalance the difference between the inner and outer wheel movements. Most, if not all, Jaguar vehicles have been designed with an independent rear suspension that includes a limited-slip differential, but have recently moved into other design territories. Stay tuned—we’ll talk a little more about the different types of differentials and their functions. Perhaps it is most important to note is that differentials require ongoing maintenance in order to perform optimally; essentially, the parts must be kept well oiled so that they don’t burn out too early.

Types of differentials

The different types of differentials in cars don’t all apply to Jaguar vehicles, but with the company’s shifts in design over the years and throughout the models, it helps to know the differences between various types of differentials to have a foundation of understanding about them. These are the two most common Jaguar differentials: limited-slip differential or a torque-vectoring differential—both of which have been used in Jaguar vehicles or other vehicles manufactured by Jaguar.

Potential causes of differential problems

Again, the causes of the differential problems you’re experiencing in your Jaguar will depend greatly upon the year and model Jaguar you drive—as they don’t all have the same type of rear differential. There are a few different potential causes of differential issues, and they usually have to do with the quality of the lubrication they’re getting.

Contaminated differential oil

Just as your car greatly depends on the motor oil it uses to properly lubricate the various parts of the engine, your differential in your Jaguar also utilizes differential oil to lubricate its various parts. Without clean, full differential oil, your differential can begin to wear earlier than anticipated, causing significant performance issues. The differential oil usually doesn’t need to be changed or filled as regularly as motor oil, however, if you notice signs of leakage, then you could be losing differential fluid.

Bad differential gasket

Most vehicle components that house fluid also entail the use of some kind of seal that keeps the oil inside the housing. The differential gasket is what keeps oil circulating throughout the differential, properly lubricating the gears. Usually when the differential gasket begins to fail or malfunction the driver will notice signs of leakage. Differential gaskets aren’t particularly difficult to replace, although the level of difficulty will depend upon the experience the Jaguar specialist has and the year and model of the car. It’s most important that you get these symptoms checked out before the problem worsens.

How we can help

The professionals here at Euro Automotive are especially skilled in working with European imports like Jaguar. In the areas surrounding Dallas, Garland, Arlington, and Fort Worth, TX, Jaguar drivers travel to Euro Automotive to obtain our Jaguar-specialized services for their beloved vehicles. We know how special these cars are to their owners, and really to the entire automotive industry; therefore, we attend to every vehicle and client as if they were a part of our own family. If you think you might be experiencing differential issues in your Jaguar, please contact us today to schedule an inspection and diagnostic procedure.

* Jaguar XE image credit goes to: y_carfan.

How to Deal with the Common Causes of Engine Oil Leaks in a Jaguar

Posted on | 5 Mar 2018 By Anita Gaal

If you drive a Jaguar, then you know how fortunate you are. Whether it’s the XJ, XF, XE, or F-Type, your Jaguar is one of the most well-known manufacturers and highly-desired vehicles in the automotive industry today. These luxury vehicles are known for their power, stamina, and luxury—and those can be hard to come by in one vehicle. That’s why, when your Jaguar begins to leak oil, it can be disheartening and downright upsetting.

While oil leaks are relatively common, they can sometimes be challenging to deal with. Depending on how quickly you’re losing oil, you might not notice the problem right away. Furthermore, if your automotive shop doesn’t specialize in Jaguar automotive care and repair work, then you might be handing your car over to a blind technician to diagnose and fix the issue.

Some of the Common Causes of Oil Leaks in Jaguars

Finding the cause of an oil leak is the most important order of business, and it could be due to any number of issues with any number of parts in your Jaguar. As a luxury vehicle owner, it’s important that you be familiar with some of the common causes of oil leaks in your Jaguar because how you will need to fix the issue will depend solely on where it’s coming from.

Worn-Out or Damaged Seals

Oil seals are designed to keep oil flowing through your engine freely without leaking through the various components. Most seals are made of durable materials; however, over time they begin to deteriorate. Replacing corroded or worn-out seals may seem insignificant to the overall performance of your Jaguar; however, their function is important—if oil leaks, then other engine components can become damaged and the oil can become contaminated with debris, thereby affecting all other parts internally.

Oil Pan Damage or Failure

One of the most common causes of oil leaks is a damaged oil pan. The reason for this is that the oil pan sits beneath your car and is susceptible to becoming punctured if you hit something or run over a piece of debris in the road. When your oil pan is damaged, it can cause oil to leak from the bottom of your car. The oil pan is one of the first places your trusted Jaguar automotive technician will check on your when diagnosing the cause of the oil leak.

Too Much Oil

While it’s essential to bring your car in for routine oil changes, if the oil change isn’t done properly it can lead to oil overspill. This occurs when oil is filled too full, or if the cap isn’t put back on properly. This can cause you to lose oil leak oil all over other engine components, potentially causing damage and smoke to come from your engine. If you aren’t sure how to replace your Jaguar’s oil yourself, it’s important not to attempt to do so—it could lead to expensive repairs.

What You Can Do to Prevent Oil Leaks

There are several things you can do to prevent oil leaks from occurring. Firstly, it’s critical to follow through with regular oil changes. Your Jaguar requires oil to perform its best, otherwise you’ll be missing out on its true potential. Routine oil changes can be followed via the information in your owner’s manual, but as a general rule of thumb people tend to replace their oil and filter every 3 months. It’s also essential to use the correct type of oil for your specific model Jaguar. For instance, in certain models require synthetic oil, which allows for oil to be changed less frequently. This information can also be found in your Jaguar owner’s manual.

How We Can Help

At Euro Automotive, we take every inspection seriously, including those related to oil leaks. Oil leaks in Jaguars, as well as other vehicles, are concerning and can point toward serious issues that require immediate repair. If you’re a Jaguar owner near Dallas, Garland, Arlington, or Fort Worth, TX, and need automotive repair or maintenance work, please call our shop to learn about our specialized experience and background in working with Jaguar vehicles. We consider ourselves experts, and we take pride in our work. Particularly if you’re experiencing an oil leak, contact us to schedule an immediate inspection.

Jaguar XE 2016 On Road image credit goes to: trangiap.