After months of searching I'm picking up my low mileage 98 XK8 coupe next week. I look forward to using this forum to debug the old girl, though the previous owner has already replaced the tensioner and thermostat housing. I've already informed my mechanic that I'll be helping to put his kids through college !

Any input as to preventitive maintenance or performance mods will be appreciated, and have a great weekend

Jim in NH

 

Welcome Jim,

A Win-Win situation for both you and your mechanic's kids.

The big weakness on the early XK8 is out of the way with the tensioners but you may want to check the XK8/XKR 1996-2006 section for threads on changing transmission fluid as the next priority in preventative maintenance.

Graham

 

Welcome to the forum,

Good to have you with us.

If you haven't already done so you should add your car details to your signature to help others to help you

 

Welcome Jim! See you in the XK8/XKR section.

 

Welcome to the forum.

Good to see you.

In my ignorance, where is NH? I'm picking up the lingo little by little.

Congrat's on the XK.

 

 

Richard,

NH is the abbreviation for the state of New Hampshire, a New England (Northeast US) state where winters tend to be long and snowy, and is sandwiched between Massachusetts and Maine. Most Jags go into hibernation between December and April around here.

Years ago I had a friend that had a Puegot (an unusually styled but rather unreliable car), are they still being made?

 

Welcome and enjoy the car, I've been loving mine since I got it.

 

Put 500 miles on the new car in the last week or so, no major issues at all. It does seem to scream for some exhaust mods as it is very quiet, and sometimes the starter doesn't engage on the first turn of the key, other than those minor complaints, it's been an absolutely great car, people come over to comment on and admire it whenever I park it.

 

Hi there Jim & welcome aboard Jaguarforums, good to have you here with us

Pics??

There's a really great mix of information, camraderrie and fun here....

Jump on in and enjoy the site.................

 

2 weeks driving it over good and bad NH roads and still loving it. I do need to rig up a back seat cover so that my Irish Setter can come along for rides, he is very upset that I leave without him these days. Now if someone would buy my old PT Cruiser so that I wouldn't have to move it when I need to mow the lawn... I was hoping to give the Cruiser to my son when he turns 16 (12 now), but was informed that he expected to inherit the Jag and would I like to show him how to wash it? Nearly had to call the medics when that comment came out.

 

Oh yeah, The previous owner did address several of the common design errors of the early XK8 such as Timing Chain Tensioners, Chains & Guides
Water Pump
Thermostat Housing and Thermostat
Throttle Body
Coolant Hoses under Intake Manifold
Front Lower Control Arm Bushings

I know that the transmission fluids need to be changed around 100K (this 1998 has only 76000 miles, and I paid 6700 US$), but if anyone has any other preventitive maintenance suggestions, I'd be happy to hear them.

Also is there any way to get the radio code other than from the dealer as I know that I'll need to change the battery some day and will need it?