OK, realizing I live in the rain capital of the NW I expected potential trouble when I purchased my '88 XJ-SC. As it turns out there is only the slightest leak at the rear of the top where the two halves meet in the center.It's not a gross leak, but is very irritating and as clean as my car is I prefer to avoid long term water damage. After 3 years it hasn't caused any issues with the interior. I store my car during the winter in a heated garage and keep her covered when outside in the summer months, but rain is a year round happening in Washington. I've not been able to locate a new gasket kit so am at a loss as to what can be done to alleviate the issue. The car is tight and dry otherwise and I truly enjoy owning it. With only 44,000 original miles I look forward to many more years of use. Any suggestions as to a fix, or is this a problem endemic to the T-tops? By the way, the lines of the XJ-SC are absolutely stunning. I think it has the most beautiful profile of the XJ-S line. JMHO.

Submitted by sccox03@yahoo.com on Thu, 05/07/2009 - 04:27

Bleasie,
I've owned the car for three years now if my memory serves me correctly. I purchased it from a gent in California. The strange badge you noticed is the dealers badge. That appears to be my car. I'll look for the S/N in the Boots rain gutter and pass it on to you as soon as the rain lets up and she's back on the street. Thanks for the conditioner infpo. Ihave to give it a try. The previous owner had wire wheels on her which I immediately removed and replace with the correct rims and badges. Other than need a good wash and wax, tuneup, alignment and minor other fixes I was quite pleased with it,

Steve

Submitted by sccox03@yahoo.com on Tue, 04/28/2009 - 02:43

Edited on 2009-04-28 2:45:54

Bleasie,

Steve here, my XJ-SC is VIN#146333. It is all original with the exception of the R134 AC system I had installed when the old AC went south on me. The paint is Arctic blue with the Isis blue interior and top. It has under 47,000 original miles on the odometer (I just finished a road trip). While not a daily driver and stored during our winter months I do travel with it and use it weekly in the spring and summer for pleasure cruising around the Pacific NW. I live in a perpetual state of rain. ;-)

Submitted by silver007@shaw.ca on Mon, 04/27/2009 - 09:17

I remember when we used to drive our S up the "CUT" in North Vancouver, the engine just purred up the hill. the speed without moving the gas pedal down almost rose rather than diminish........ amazing torque................ just keep those fluids up and fresh..........even the brake fluid..........very important if you want to keep stopping..........
Best Wishes, Art

Submitted by sccox03@yahoo.com on Mon, 04/27/2009 - 04:57

I just returned from a 1500 mile road trip in my XJ-SC. I haven't been back on the site until tonight. I'll have to pull the VIN tomorrow after work and send it to you. The gaskets are pliable and haven't dried out. The rear top has never been off of the car to the best of my knowledge and I've had no leaks in that area at all. Do you all know of a recommended preservative for the fabric that they use on the top. I'm more concerned about fading than anything else. As for the trip it was a pure joy. About half of my driving was done in the mountains with wide sweeping curves and little traffic. The car handles remarkably well for being so heavy and having a less than perfectly rigid chassis. I can actually open the 12 cylinder up a bit. The car really enjoys the higher speeds and gets surprisingly good gas mileage. Too much city driving is a killer on these engines. Steep road grades, or long straightaways, it doesn't really matter. It effortlessly rolls right along. In fact the ride seems more comfortable at higher speeds than it does in city traffic. The seats and suspension are far more comfortable than my conversion van and the gas consumption is about the same. Drive safe out there.

Steve

Submitted by silver007@shaw.ca on Sun, 03/01/2009 - 11:20

HI Bleasie,
keep up the good work, nice photos for sure perhaps Steve drowned with all the rain in the Seattle area.......... I live just North in the Vancouver BC area.....Art