I'm looking at buying this 2013 XF 5.0 s/c.... I like to fix up cars as a hobby for many years but mostly paint and body work. I have rebuilt engines but I usually need to go by a haynes manual for harder projects. Anyway I'm very much wanting to pull the trigger on this auction, but info is limited. Its no scam or anything, I just don't want to say where it is right now as it is an auction. That said, mechanical issue is checked off which can mean many things. The car looks to be in top shape other than that with about 84k miles.

I feel there is something in this photo that may be a tell to someone who is more familiar with these cars than I am. I'm thinking maybe a ruptured heater hose or a/c line? Thoughts?

 

Welcome to the forums jagxf5.0,

Jaguar make the engine bay look "tidy" by covering most of the engine with that enormous plastic cover in the centre. Unfortunately it effectively obscures anything that would indicate the source of the fluid leakage. The cover is secured with four pegs that are a push fit into rubber retainers - it is simply pulled up at each corner to release it from the fixings.

Coolant loss on the Jaguar V8 can rapidly cause serious problems. It is a low volume, high flow rate system and overheating is an engine killer. Could be just a hose or a connector but if not, getting into engine rebuilds on a Jaguar costs serious money.

Graham

 

What are we talking serious money? Assuming block and heads are usable with maybe some machining and put back together with new bearings gaskets rings etc. I'm confident I can do everything myself aside from machine work. I've rebuilt engines and superchargers in the past. I would think 3 to 4k maybe?

 

With any luck I'm going to get the car for between 6k and 8k total price. I kind of like the idea of starting out with a fresh motor rebuild. That's what I did w my mustang 12 years ago and it's still running strong. I understand it's very different car right down to even sourcing parts. For what I want seems to be over 20k for one from a used dealer or even private seller.

 

Have you checked whether you can get the parts ? Getting parts for US makes is easy, but not so easy for European cars. It is highly likely Jaguar don't sell the individual parts for the engine, merely assemblies, so you'd need to find out the OEM and who supplies his parts to the trade.

Most people just source a used engine with known mileage, such as out of a crash write-off, and swap them out. Rebuilding these engines is something that is rare. However, ask around the shops specialising in European cars.

 

It doesn't look too tough to find parts that I can see. Obviously not quite the availability of fords and chevys lol but not impossible. Engines seem to be plentiful. It ended up going quite a bit higher than I was figuring so I'm passing on it for now. I really should sell my mustang first anyway. Then I can dive in 100%.