3261 Jaguar XJ6
REF•8MOT test checks
This is a guide to getting your vehicle through the MOT test.
Obviously it will not be possible to examine the vehicle to the same
standard as the professional MOT tester. However, working through
the following checks will enable you to identify any problem areas
before submitting the vehicle for the test.
Where a testable component is in borderline condition, the tester
has discretion in deciding whether to pass or fail it. The basis of such
discretion is whether the tester would be happy for a close relative or
friend to use the vehicle with the component in that condition. If the
vehicle presented is clean and evidently well cared for, the tester may
be more inclined to pass a borderline component than if the vehicle is
scruffy and apparently neglected.
It has only been possible to summarise the test requirements here,
based on the regulations in force at the time of printing. Test standards
are becoming increasingly stringent, although there are some
exemptions for older vehicles. For full details obtain a copy of the Haynes
publication Pass the MOT! (available from stockists of Haynes manuals).
An assistant will be needed to help carry out some of these checks.
The checks have been sub-divided into four categories, as follows:
HandbrakeMTest the operation of the handbrake.
Excessive travel (too many clicks) indicates
incorrect brake or cable adjustment.
MCheck that the handbrake cannot be
released by tapping the lever sideways. Check
the security of the lever mountings.
Footbrake
MDepress the brake pedal and check that it
does not creep down to the floor, indicating a
master cylinder fault. Release the pedal, wait
a few seconds, then depress it again. If the
pedal travels nearly to the floor before firm
resistance is felt, brake adjustment or repair is
necessary. If the pedal feels spongy, there is
air in the hydraulic system which must be
removed by bleeding.MCheck that the brake pedal is secure and in
good condition. Check also for signs of fluid
leaks on the pedal, floor or carpets, which
would indicate failed seals in the brake master
cylinder.
MCheck the servo unit (when applicable) by
operating the brake pedal several times, then
keeping the pedal depressed and starting the
engine. As the engine starts, the pedal will
move down slightly. If not, the vacuum hose or
the servo itself may be faulty.
Steering wheel and column
MExamine the steering wheel for fractures or
looseness of the hub, spokes or rim.
MMove the steering wheel from side to side
and then up and down. Check that the
steering wheel is not loose on the column,
indicating wear or a loose retaining nut.
Continue moving the steering wheel as before,
but also turn it slightly from left to right.
MCheck that the steering wheel is not loose
on the column, and that there is no abnormalmovement of the steering wheel, indicating
wear in the column support bearings or
couplings.
Windscreen and mirrors
MThe windscreen must be free of cracks or
other significant damage within the driver’s
field of view. (Small stone chips are
acceptable.) Rear view mirrors must be
secure, intact, and capable of being adjusted.
1Checks carried out
FROM THE DRIVER’S SEAT
1Checks carried out
FROM THE DRIVER’S
SEAT2Checks carried out
WITH THE VEHICLE
ON THE GROUND3Checks carried out
WITH THE VEHICLE
RAISED AND THE
WHEELS FREE TO
TURN4Checks carried out on
YOUR VEHICLE’S
EXHAUST EMISSION
SYSTEM
3261 Jaguar XJ6
REF•18Glossary of technical terms
A
ABS (Anti-lock brake system)A system,
usually electronically controlled, that senses
incipient wheel lockup during braking and
relieves hydraulic pressure at wheels that are
about to skid.
Air bag An inflatable bag hidden in the
steering wheel (driver’s side) or the dash or
glovebox (passenger side). In a head-on
collision, the bags inflate, preventing the
driver and front passenger from being thrown
forward into the steering wheel or windscreen.
Air cleanerA metal or plastic housing,
containing a filter element, which removes
dust and dirt from the air being drawn into the
engine.
Air filter elementThe actual filter in an air
cleaner system, usually manufactured from
pleated paper and requiring renewal at regular
intervals.
Allen keyA hexagonal wrench which fits into
a recessed hexagonal hole.
Alligator clipA long-nosed spring-loaded
metal clip with meshing teeth. Used to make
temporary electrical connections.
AlternatorA component in the electrical
system which converts mechanical energy
from a drivebelt into electrical energy to
charge the battery and to operate the starting
system, ignition system and electrical
accessories.
Ampere (amp)A unit of measurement for the
flow of electric current. One amp is the
amount of current produced by one volt
acting through a resistance of one ohm.
Anaerobic sealerA substance used to
prevent bolts and screws from loosening.
Anaerobic means that it does not require
oxygen for activation. The Loctite brand is
widely used.
AntifreezeA substance (usually ethylene
glycol) mixed with water, and added to a
vehicle’s cooling system, to prevent freezing
of the coolant in winter. Antifreeze also
contains chemicals to inhibit corrosion and
the formation of rust and other deposits that
would tend to clog the radiator and coolant
passages and reduce cooling efficiency.
Anti-seize compoundA coating that
reduces the risk of seizing on fasteners that
are subjected to high temperatures, such as
exhaust manifold bolts and nuts.
AsbestosA natural fibrous mineral with great
heat resistance, commonly used in the
composition of brake friction materials.Asbestos is a health hazard and the dust
created by brake systems should never be
inhaled or ingested.
AxleA shaft on which a wheel revolves, or
which revolves with a wheel. Also, a solid
beam that connects the two wheels at one
end of the vehicle. An axle which also
transmits power to the wheels is known as a
live axle.
AxleshaftA single rotating shaft, on either
side of the differential, which delivers power
from the final drive assembly to the drive
wheels. Also called a driveshaft or a halfshaft.
BBall bearingAn anti-friction bearing
consisting of a hardened inner and outer race
with hardened steel balls between two races.
BearingThe curved surface on a shaft or in a
bore, or the part assembled into either, that
permits relative motion between them with
minimum wear and friction.
Big-end bearingThe bearing in the end of
the connecting rod that’s attached to the
crankshaft.
Bleed nippleA valve on a brake wheel
cylinder, caliper or other hydraulic component
that is opened to purge the hydraulic system
of air. Also called a bleed screw.
Brake bleedingProcedure for removing air
from lines of a hydraulic brake system.
Brake discThe component of a disc brake
that rotates with the wheels.Brake drumThe component of a drum brake
that rotates with the wheels.
Brake liningsThe friction material which
contacts the brake disc or drum to retard the
vehicle’s speed. The linings are bonded or
riveted to the brake pads or shoes.
Brake padsThe replaceable friction pads
that pinch the brake disc when the brakes are
applied. Brake pads consist of a friction
material bonded or riveted to a rigid backing
plate.
Brake shoeThe crescent-shaped carrier to
which the brake linings are mounted and
which forces the lining against the rotating
drum during braking.
Braking systemsFor more information on
braking systems, consult the Haynes
Automotive Brake Manual.
Breaker barA long socket wrench handle
providing greater leverage.
BulkheadThe insulated partition between
the engine and the passenger compartment.
CCaliperThe non-rotating part of a disc-brake
assembly that straddles the disc and carries
the brake pads. The caliper also contains the
hydraulic components that cause the pads to
pinch the disc when the brakes are applied. A
caliper is also a measuring tool that can be set
to measure inside or outside dimensions of an
object.
CamshaftA rotating shaft on which a series
of cam lobes operate the valve mechanisms.
The camshaft may be driven by gears, by
sprockets and chain or by sprockets and a
belt.
CanisterA container in an evaporative
emission control system; contains activated
charcoal granules to trap vapours from the
fuel system.
CarburettorA device which mixes fuel with
air in the proper proportions to provide a
desired power output from a spark ignition
internal combustion engine.
CastellatedResembling the parapets along
the top of a castle wall. For example, a
castellated balljoint stud nut.
CastorIn wheel alignment, the backward or
forward tilt of the steering axis. Castor is
positive when the steering axis is inclined
rearward at the top.
Canister
Brake bleeding
Bearing
Air filter
3261 Jaguar XJ6
REF•22Index
AABS fault finding -9•2
Accelerator cable -4•8
Acknowledgements -0•4
Aerial - 12•8
Air cleaner -1•14, 4•7
Air conditioning -3•2, 3•7, 3•10, 3•11, 3•13, 3•14
Air induction system -4•9
Air Injector Reactor (AIR) system -6•8
Air intake plenum -4•13
Airbag - 0•5, 12•14
Alternator -5•6
Amplifier -5•3
Anti-lock Brake system (ABS) -9•2
Anti-roll bar - 10•3
Anti-theft system - REF•1
Antifreeze -0•11, 0•16, 1•2, 1•20, 3•2
Asbestos -0•5
ATF -0•16
Automatic transmission-7•1et seq
fault finding - 7•1, REF•15
fluid - 0•16, 1•2, 1•11, 1•19
filter - 1•19
Auxiliary shaft -2A•8
BBalljoints - 10•4
Battery -0•5, 0•15, 1•9, 5•1, 5•1
Big-end bearings -2B•13, 2B•17
Bleeding
brake system - 9•10
power steering - 10•11
Block -2B•10, 2B•11
Blower motors -3•7
Body corrosion - REF•11
Body electrical system- 12•1et seq
Bodywork and fittings- 11•1et seq
Bonnet - 11•3, 11•4
Boot - 11•7
lid - 11•3, 11•6, 11•7,
Boots (steering) - 10•9
Brake fluid -0•12, 0•16, 1•20
Brake lights - 12•12
switch - 9•13
Brake servo -1•12
Braking system-1•12, 9•1et seq
fault finding - REF•15, REF•16
MOT checks - REF•8 to REF•10
Bulbs -0•15, 12•11
Bumpers - 11•5
Burning -0•5
CCables -4•8, 5•2, 7•2, 7•4, 9•10, 9•11, 11•4, 11•10
Calipers -9•3
Camshafts -2A•9
Capacities -1•2
Carpets - 11•1
Cassette - REF•1
Catalytic converter -6•12
Central locking - 12•13
Centre console - 11•11
Charcoal canister -6•11
Charging -1•10
Charging system -5•5
Circuit breakers - 12•3
CO emissions (mixture) - REF•11
Coil (HT) -5•3
Coil spring - 10•5, 10•6
Compression check -2B•3
Compressor -3•13
Condenser -3•13
Connecting rods -2B•9, 2B•12, 2B•17, 2B•18
Console - 11•11, 11•12
Continuity check - 12•2
Control arms - 10•5, 10•6, 10•8
Conversion factors - REF•2
Coolant -0•11, 0•16, 1•2, 1•20, 3•2
Coolant reservoir -3•4, 3•5
Coolant temperature sensor -6•3
Cooling fans -3•3
Cooling system fault finding - REF•14
Cooling,heating and air conditioning systems-3•1et seq
Courtesy lights - 12•12
Cowl cover - 11•14
Crankcase ventilation system -1•16, 6•11
Crankshaft -2A•5, 2A•17, 2B•10, 2B•13, 2B•16
position sensor - 6•7
Cruise control - 12•13
Crushing -0•5
Cylinder head -2A•13, 2B•6, 2B•7, 2B•8
Cylinder honing -2B•12
DDashboard - 11•13
Dents - 11•2
Differential -8•1, 8•5
oil - 1•2, 1•11, 1•20
Dimensions - REF•1
Direction indicators - 12•4, 12•11, 12•12
Discs -9•4
Distributor -5•4
Doors - 11•7, 11•8, 11•9, 11•10, 11•10, REF•9
Drivebelt -1•16
Driveplate -2A•16
Driveshafts -8•1, 8•4, 8•5, REF•10
Drivetrain-1•14, 8•1et seq
Note:References throughout this index are in the form - “Chapter number” • “page number”