Restricted Performance Mode

I suppose it was to be expected that having the catalytic converters changed would trigger further issues with the car. A few weeks after they were done we suddenly started to get a random warning light on the dashboard saying Restricted Performance. The car still seemed to drive okay and pressing the reset button generally removed it.

Then we found out what the impact on the car was, when trying to overtake and relying on the turbos to kick in... they didn't.

When driving up hills the turbos didn't kick in and the speed would gradually drop to 50 mph. A journey to Blackpool saw this happen on a number of occasions and it was obvious this was more than just a warning light we could continue to reset and ignore.

So, we took it in for a diagnostic check and were told there was a problem with the EGR valves. They would need replacing and with the time needed to dismantle the engine and replace them as well as the cost of the new valves we were once again looking at a repair bill in the region of £1,000.

Previous readers will know that we don't take the first route to repair and this one was no different. While on the golf course one morning Neil mentioned this to one of his fellow players who replied that he'd had the same problem with his Range Rover and had paid for them to be replaced, only to learn later that they are not actually needed and they can be blanked off.

Google to the rescue, I found a number of sites that confirmed this and a quick check on Ebay showed I could buy 2 blanking plates (there are 2 valves) for £8.00 with free delivery. I checked and double checked they were the correct ones for the S-type Jaguar and were advised they were so fingers crossed, we went ahead.

On checking with the garage they told us labour would be £180. This was looking much better so we booked the car in to be repaired while we were on holiday, ordered the blanking plates to be delivered directly to the garage and left clear instructions for them to check the diagnosis was correct before carrying out the repair.

While on holiday I picked up an email from the garage confirming the EGR valves were the fault and asking if they should go ahead and blank them off. I confirmed they should and also carry out the annual MOT which was due, which would check the emissions, among other things, and if the emissions value was still within acceptable levels with the valves blanked off, we would be good to the tune of £800.

When we picked the car up everything had gone to plan, it had passed the MOT and there were no warning lights showing on the dashboard. Driving it has shown no issues with drive performance and so it looks as if a chance conversation during a round of golf has saved us a significant sum of money.

I think we owe someone a very large drink.