New owner | but my F type isn’t normal!

[Goonerjag]

Hey all,

Very excited to be an F-Type owner after looking for one for several months.

I picked up a 2013 S convertible, but it has had some extras that are different to the norm. From the pictures below you can see it has the SVR body kit installed, along with different wheels and a different exhaust. The previous owner was not the one who fitted this, so I was wondering if the kit could be specified from the factory, or if this was something bought and installed by a third party?

Also, I am pretty certain the exhaust is not stock, it has a carbon fibre end to it and I think even loader than stock! The exhaust button in the cabin does light up when pressing but there is no noticeable sound difference, so I assume it is not longer connected to any valves. Interestingly the economy button does not seem to work at all?

If anyone has any details they can throw my way that would be great, I am in love with this car and would love to know more about its history.

One last question, in the compartment between the seats (where the USB etc is) I removed a panel and there is a red pull cord attached to some sort of module, I have looked in here but nothing shows up on a search, any ideas what it is?

Thanks all

 

[Tjp]

Interesting car! I’m not an expert and will let someone more knowledgable answer but some ideas for you.
- Eco button will shut off the engine like start/stop once you’re on the move. If the battery is original/low then it might not work. Low battery is one of the biggest issues for strange goings on FYI
- exhaust is not standard. Is it loud? Compare against videos of stock YouTube videos or post one of yours ?
- the red tag is the handbrake release cord I.e. if you breakdown and need to move/have the car towed (ask me how I know). Will be in your manual.

Happy motoring !

 

[Goonerjag]

Thanks the details, that would explain the foot image on top!

The exhaust is a little louder than stock I think, it sounds great and pops like the stock one does. It does drone a little on the motorway, but I can get used to it. I’ll try and post a video on here. Shame the dash button doesn’t work, it would be nice to quieten it on the motorway.

Interesting you should say about the battery, I am getting battery low messages on the dash, although I thought it might be because I had a boot full of water the other day and it was messing with the electronics. The boot has been cleared now and doesn’t seem to be leaking (even with heavy rain here) but still getting the battery message, this also seem to affect the window drop (when closing) and the mirrors automatically folding out. Do you think it needs a new battery?

I have left it for 3/4 days and still starts without a hitch so unsure if the warning is true or not.

Thanks again for your help!

 

[Tjp]

Sorry my previous reply wasn’t quite right either. The red tag puts the car into neutral, I think, the handbrake button can still be operated. One or the other anyway have a read in your manual.

I find my stock V6 drones a bit on long motorway journeys anyway.

I’d give the battery a good charge - mine stays on a Ctek 5.0 charger when not in use, but it did go absolutely mental when the original battery was on the way out (not selecting gear, windows not working properly, dash messages) If anything has been plugged into the obd2 port this can also drain the battery. Whip the positive off and leave it 10 mins which should reset the ECU and stop that if it’s the issue. Lots of previous threads on here about all of this to help you.

 

[Goonerjag]

I tried the battery pull trick earlier, I also stupidly closed the boot lid afterwards and realised I couldn’t open it again, thankfully a trip to the petrol station, some jump cables and my wife’s car helped me open the boot!

I am still getting the error after plugging it back in unfortunately, I will try a slow charge and see if that helps, if not I assume it’ll be a new battery?

There are some strange choices on this car, someone has spent a fortune on a kit, wheels and exhaust, but didn’t spec heated seats or memory seats or even the Meridian sound system, I’m not to fussed about any of those really, just seems like a strange choice (could also be different owners I assume)

Thanks

 

[Tjp]

Each to their own I guess! And you’re not the first to close the boot with the battery disconnected.
First - I’d get the battery charger up with a conditioner or charger… secondly I seem to recall some guys having some bad earth connection which I think is somewhere around the drivers wheel arch. Again have a quick search.

For what it’s worth I changed the battery and all my problems disappeared.

 

[Goonerjag]

You have been awesome! Thanks so much!

 

[gasgas]

+1 for new battery

 

[Tjp]

I like those wheels though

 

[Goonerjag]

I like those wheels though

Thanks! They do look good and don’t seem very common, they have carbon inserts also, which adds to the overall look.

 

[cj10jeeper]

I picked up a 2013 S convertible, but it has had some extras that are different to the norm. From the pictures below you can see it has the SVR body kit installed, along with different wheels and a different exhaust. The previous owner was not the one who fitted this, so I was wondering if the kit could be specified from the factory, or if this was something bought and installed by a third party?

Also, I am pretty certain the exhaust is not stock, it has a carbon fibre end to it and I think even loader than stock! The exhaust button in the cabin does light up when pressing but there is no noticeable sound difference, so I assume it is not longer connected to any valves. Interestingly the economy button does not seem to work at all?

Hi & welcome
Picking up on your comments and questions related to the SVR parts.

Firstly there is no such thing as an SVR body kit, at least not that can be ordered or specified from new. The SVR's were just assembled with many different panel and internal parts. From the photos what you have is a replacement front bumper from and SVR with it's different inlet vents and spoiler elements. On the sides you have standard sills with added side skirts. The rear is the design rear, not applicable to the SVR. SVR would also have different panels between the front wheel and door, different bonnet vents, spoiler and more. Most such parts where fitted come from crashed cars as the dealers are generally very careful to not sell to anyone without an SVR vin number.

All very nice though and in fact pretty much what I have done to mine (also a 2013 V6S convertible) , so can provide more detail if needed.

For the exhaust without photos it's impossible to comment if someone has just changed the tips, or replaced/modded some or all of it. The early model year cars are without question the loudest (like for like V6 to V6) before changes were made to over the years from software to filters. There are also various mods that can be performed such as changing the cats to increase noise. The exhaust valves do seize up or could have been modded or a fuse pulled, to ensure they stay open. You need to do a bit of looking and testing to see what's been done. You may also find the vacuum pump system has been replaced with a direct inlet feed under a TSB replacement.

 

[scm]

"economy button". On an F-Type? :lol:

If stop/start isn't working it could be the secondary battery is either dead or has been removed (early MYs had an additional battery to support the feature).

 

[MajorTom]

Just one more thing to keep in mind regarding the battery - make sure to double lock the car and not only single lock. I only used to single lock my car and started getting low battery warnings. That issue went away (touch wood) since I started double locking it.

 

[Goonerjag]

Thanks so much for all your help everyone! Given the car a charge & recondition with a new CTEC charger, will see how it goes over the next few days.

I’ll post some pictures of the exhaust box, it’ll be interesting to see what I have under there!

One additional thing, I had to ‘top up’ my coolant today, it took a good litre to reach the minimum line (Ford branded orange coolant 50/50 with distilled water) seems strange it was so low, unsure if this is common or leaks are common. When I unscrewed the cap there was a slight seal pop, so sounds like the tank is tight, although I really have no clue about engines!

Happy new year everyone!

 

[Tjp]

Thanks so much for all your help everyone! Given the car a charge & recondition with a new CTEC charger, will see how it goes over the next few days.

I’ll post some pictures of the exhaust box, it’ll be interesting to see what I have under there!

One additional thing, I had to ‘top up’ my coolant today, it took a good litre to reach the minimum line (Ford branded orange coolant 50/50 with distilled water) seems strange it was so low, unsure if this is common or leaks are common. When I unscrewed the cap there was a slight seal pop, so sounds like the tank is tight, although I really have no clue about engines!

Happy new year everyone!

Not having much luck huh?

Unfortunately the coolant pipes under the supercharger have been known to fail. Check the reservoir itself and any loose pipe work, or have a closer look down the front of the engine bay for any signs of leaks. Fingers crossed for you.

 

[Goonerjag]

Thanks so much for all your help everyone! Given the car a charge & recondition with a new CTEC charger, will see how it goes over the next few days.

I’ll post some pictures of the exhaust box, it’ll be interesting to see what I have under there!

One additional thing, I had to ‘top up’ my coolant today, it took a good litre to reach the minimum line (Ford branded orange coolant 50/50 with distilled water) seems strange it was so low, unsure if this is common or leaks are common. When I unscrewed the cap there was a slight seal pop, so sounds like the tank is tight, although I really have no clue about engines!

Happy new year everyone!

Not having much luck huh?

Unfortunately the coolant pipes under the supercharger have been known to fail. Check the reservoir itself and any loose pipe work, or have a closer look down the front of the engine bay for any signs of leaks. Fingers crossed for you.

Hoping it isn’t a major issue! When you say reservoir, do you mean the tank that I have filled up? Sorry for being a noob!

 

[Tjp]

Yes indeed. Check the tank, and follow the pipe work from there. If you’ve got a leak of some magnitude it is likely to be obvious - you could stick a large piece of cardboard under the engine bay on the floor which might help and leave it there overnight.

If not obvious, might be water pump on the way out (had mine replaced this year).

 

[Goonerjag]

Thanks again! I’ll give that a try.

 

[Goonerjag]

Unfortunately this morning the battery low indicator is back, even after a charge and recondition, so I assume this does mean a new battery? Any brand suggestions? I did get the Eco light come on earlier, so I assume the battery was better than before, but still not right.

I would have thought the CTEC would have given me an error but I assume it’s not designed to check for batteries that are on their way out.

I done your cardboard trick suggestion and there were no leaks overnight, unfortunately after a 30 min drive today I have noticed some spots under the car, I think I have worked out the rough area it is coming from, I have marked it in the pictures below. It is pooling on a panel (pink line) around 20cm below the bonnet line and then dripping down from either side to underneath (where the arrow are pointing) also notices some small splashes around the area and on the top of the engine.

Finally I have some pics of my exhaust box, if this reveals anything to anyone? I’ll upload a sound video once I have worked out how.

 

[Tjp]

See here for discussion on batteries. If yours is still on the original I’d bite the bullet and replace
https://www.ftypeforums.co.uk/viewtopic.php?t=5005

Oh dear, can’t work out from pics exactly where the coolant is coming from but if not obvious, it’s probably time to get it booked in with a friendly Jag specialist to get it up on a ramp and have a good look.

Good luck