Hello,
18 months ago we purchased through craigslist a 1998 Jag XJ8 in amazing condition . It had 98,000 miles on it and had been sitting in a garage for years - in super-fab condition. We drove it and drove it and it purred like a cat. We recently changed the oil, (3 months ago) and then had it smogged (Cali law). It passed smog no problem. Not a single problem! Then, today, it died, apparently something blew up inside the engine and one piston has a hole in it now.
How could this have happened?????
What's to do now!!!!!!
It is hard to believe we went from styling and happy in our Jag, to the owners of a worthless, dead car. Is there any hope?
Thanks
Dena
18 months ago we purchased through craigslist a 1998 Jag XJ8 in amazing condition . It had 98,000 miles on it and had been sitting in a garage for years - in super-fab condition. We drove it and drove it and it purred like a cat. We recently changed the oil, (3 months ago) and then had it smogged (Cali law). It passed smog no problem. Not a single problem! Then, today, it died, apparently something blew up inside the engine and one piston has a hole in it now.
How could this have happened?????
What's to do now!!!!!!
It is hard to believe we went from styling and happy in our Jag, to the owners of a worthless, dead car. Is there any hope?
Thanks
Dena
o1xjr
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Jun 10, 2025
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Welcome to the forums.
Daf11e
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Welcome aboard Dena
Grant Francis
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Welcome.
Sounds like the well documented timing chain upgrade has NOT been done.
Sad, agreed.
The USA may have s/hand etc engines floating around.
Good luck.
Sounds like the well documented timing chain upgrade has NOT been done.
Sad, agreed.
The USA may have s/hand etc engines floating around.
Good luck.
GGG
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Apr 28, 2024
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Welcome to the forum Dena,
Good to have you with us at Jaguar forums. Sorry to hear about the engine. It sounds like it's been the regular failed plastic timing chain tensioner issue.
Follow this link XJ XJ8 / XJR ( X308 ) - Jaguar Forums - Jaguar Enthusiasts Forum to the X308 forum for help, advice and information. The 'HOW TO' thread at the top is a good place to start for information on regular issues.
Please remember to add vehicle details to your Signature to help others to give relevant advice. Go to the User CP button on the left of the top menu bar, then Settings & Options under Your Control Panel. Select Edit Signature and enter the details.
You can also visit the US Western Region forum by following this link https://www.jaguarforums.com/forum/us-western-38/ to find other members in your region.
Enjoy the forums.
Graham
Good to have you with us at Jaguar forums. Sorry to hear about the engine. It sounds like it's been the regular failed plastic timing chain tensioner issue.
Follow this link XJ XJ8 / XJR ( X308 ) - Jaguar Forums - Jaguar Enthusiasts Forum to the X308 forum for help, advice and information. The 'HOW TO' thread at the top is a good place to start for information on regular issues.
Please remember to add vehicle details to your Signature to help others to give relevant advice. Go to the User CP button on the left of the top menu bar, then Settings & Options under Your Control Panel. Select Edit Signature and enter the details.
You can also visit the US Western Region forum by following this link https://www.jaguarforums.com/forum/us-western-38/ to find other members in your region.
Enjoy the forums.
Graham
Norri
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Welcome to Jaguar Forums Dena,
Good to have you with us.
Enjoy the forum.
If you haven't done so already you should add your car details to your signature to help others to help you.
If you need help with getting around and using the forum follow this link for some help Forum Help
Good to have you with us.
Enjoy the forum.
If you haven't done so already you should add your car details to your signature to help others to help you.
If you need help with getting around and using the forum follow this link for some help Forum Help
sklimii
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welcome to the forum - enjoy!!!
LnrB
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Hello, Dena,
I'm sorry your Jag died.
Guido's Auto Precision in Chico may be able to help you.
(530) 891-8313 is the number.
Welcome to the forums from ElinorB.
(';')
I'm sorry your Jag died.
Guido's Auto Precision in Chico may be able to help you.
(530) 891-8313 is the number.
Welcome to the forums from ElinorB.
(';')
NBCat
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It's much quicker and less costly to find a used AJ26 from a breakers yard and have it installed.
If the primary and secondary timing chains, guides and tensioners had not been upgraded to the latest version, catastrophic engine failure is the result.
If the primary and secondary timing chains, guides and tensioners had not been upgraded to the latest version, catastrophic engine failure is the result.
Well, we found a mechanic who found us a used engine for $1200 and is going to put it in for us for less than that in labor. Should we make sure that the timing chain tensioners are upgraded before they put it in?
Thnaks
Thnaks
GGG
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YES - if I'd had an engine failure, I'd certainly spend a little extra to make sure the replacement wasn't going to go the same way.
There's two things cause serious engine trouble with the Jaguar V8:
1. early plastic tensioners - you know all about that now!
2. overheating
Early water pumps had a plastic impeller that was prone to the vanes breaking up which is also worth a check. There's two cooling hoses that run between the 'V' of the cylinder heads known as the 'valley hoses'. It's normally a lengthy job to replace these but they are easily checked and replaced if necessary during an engine swap.
Graham
There's two things cause serious engine trouble with the Jaguar V8:
1. early plastic tensioners - you know all about that now!
2. overheating
Early water pumps had a plastic impeller that was prone to the vanes breaking up which is also worth a check. There's two cooling hoses that run between the 'V' of the cylinder heads known as the 'valley hoses'. It's normally a lengthy job to replace these but they are easily checked and replaced if necessary during an engine swap.
Graham