Howdy y'all from Frisco Texas! Just north of Dallas, TX. I am a newbie to the jaguarforums.com.
I always wanted a convertible. But now have the convertible Jag! Woo Who!
So a little story on this car. I been shopping for a sports car for some time. Wanted to have a little fun. Wife thinks it is a mid-life crisis. Whatever! So I am surfing Craigslist in DFW area for a deal. I come by a XK8 being sold by local dealership. But I double-check the price and listing. The car is under 7K Kelly Blue Book.
So I went down and found this car was on the lot for over 3 months. No one wanted to buy it. The dealership even put the car on eBay.

Yes it had problems, It is a long list:
Dash lights out.
Cruise and Sport button missing/broken.
Screws for convertible boot missing.
Convertible cover missing.
Oxidation on exhaust chrome fittings.
Brakes squil.
Missing some wheel nut covers.
Oil and lube.
Front Pirelli Tires showing metal treads.
Front bummer damage.
Frontend ailment.
ABS light with Trac and ASC messages.
Power steering fluid gone and smelling burnt.
2 frame rod in hood rusting.
Windshield wipers need replacement.
cold start and sound of squealing.
Some leaks on connections to engine.

From mechanic after purchase.
Fuel line filter replacement.
2 fat antifreeze tubes replacement.
Power Steering cooler replacement.
Motor Mounts (2).
Transmission bushing replacement (1).
Sway Bar bushing (2).
Air intake has hole on bottom, replacement.
Upper control arm assembly bushing replacement (4).
ABS Module replacement.

So I bought the car. I may have over paid for it. (embarrassment) I felt pity for the car.

I am computer engineer. For a living I implement computer systems. I needed a hobby besides playing video games. So another reason for buying the car.
I do not have any regret buying the car. My wife is the one who regrets me buying the car. LOL. The 5 kids absolutely love the car.

So I have 5K in repair to do the car.

BTW: BTW the other parts the forum do not allow me to view the pictures So I could not view them. Permission issue I think.

I have already started repairs to the Jaguar Rescue. LOL.
Sway Bar Bushing I could have never done without the videos from Reverand Sam and https://www.jaguarforums.com/forum/s...ad.php?t=33782
Dash lights with http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Af3YRj60Yro
Engine cleaning with http://www.gusglikas.com/AutoRepairEngClean.htm
Throttlebody and MAFS with http://www.mediafire.com/?43rs029k5l7uici
Sparkplugs with https://www.jaguarforums.com/forum/s...ad.php?t=45628
ABS replacement from XJ8 with the same part number (But my ABS light will not go out! Help) I think I did the wrong procedure.

So anyone advice and assistance is greatly appreciated.

PS to the peeps in DFW. Do we have a active club?

Cheers!
Pics of the Jaguar Rescue:
http://a7.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphot..._3816021_n.jpg

 

Congratulations James...These cars most definitely deserve to be saved! Very glad to have you with us !

See you on the XK8/XKR forum.

BTW, 10 posts and 3 days will get you full access to the forum resources.

 

Looking forward to hearing how the rescue is going. Welcome to the site

 

Welcome to the forum Blaster, kudos for not walking away. You'll have a great car when you get it fixed up.

The guys in the XK section will be able to help you along.

 

Welcome to the forum Gameblaster,

Yes please keep us updated on the rescue, with pics please!

You'll have a wee beauty when your finished.

 

welcome to the forum gameblaster, I'm sure you'll enjoy it here.

One of the best intro's I've seen in a while too, full of info, nice one
Kudos to you for including the links to posts that helped you so far as well

There's so many helpful, friendly and knowledgable members, techs and very very experienced DIY'ers who are all more than willing to help if they can, as you've already found out!
The XK8 section is one of the best on the site and the FAQ's are excellent....check them out
I've manually upgraded you to full forum access so you can better view the site and all its features.
Gotta post up some pics buddy

All the best

 

Welcome to the forum, Neighbor. Always good to welcome another Texan.
You've got a few problems, there, but lots of great people here to help you through it. Don't buy any ABS modules 'til you catch-up on your reading on both XK and XJ forums!

 

Well thank you very much!

ABS module is kicking my butt. I am going to post the codes over in the XK thread.

 

Gameblaster: Looking for a hobby that takes you off the computer is a healthy thing. Since I came up on this Forum, I still cannot get off the computer trying to figure out how to solve my ABS/TCM codes.

Help on this forum comes quickly if you provide other members with OBDII problem codes. Autozone or Advance Auto Parts can read/reset codes for you.

On your ABS problem, I would suggest that you start by cleaning the Wheel Sensors (behind the brakes). It's a 20 minute job if you have a floor jack. Be looking for any frayed wires to the sensors--especially on the front end. Then, pull the OBD codes. Just take it step by step, and the lights will eventually not come on.

Just about any module on these cars can be "rebuilt"--saving you big $. You've never seen more ridiculous prices than the new Jag modules. Many members use a ECM builder in Rogersville, TN. They charge $55 to rebuild ABS sensors. ECM rebuilds are about $500, but that beats $2K new.

I suggest that any Jag owner go ahead and identify salvage yards in your area with comparable junks in stock. You can usually find salvage Jags in larger cities (like Dallas), or thru Car-Parts.com. These guys can be your best friends--ans save you big $.

Other issues to look at: Does the car have metal secondary camshaft tensioners? Has the plastic thermostat housing been changed over to metal? Has the waterpump been replaced with a metal impeller pump?

Hang in there. Those kids are eventually going be fighting amongst themselves on who gets to ride in the XK8?

 

Welcome to the forum!

It looks like you have a hand full of repairs.

 

Drivers side upper arm bushings replaced
Drivers sideBall socket upper arm replaced
Drivers side Control arm ball socket replaced
Brakes Front and Rear
Rotors reserfaced Front and Rear
Clean all the wheel sensors and area around them
Idler pulley replaced
Tension pulley greased
Swap bar bushing front left and right
Air flow hose
Top hose replaced
Bypass hose replaced
MAF and Throttle assembley cleaned
Throttle cable tightned
Bulbs in instrument panel replaced
Cruise control and Sport button replaced
Passenger Front ABS harness replaced
Wiper blades
2 new front tires.245's R18 (Tires and wheels were improperly installed Front wheels on left side. Rear wheels on right side.)
Fixed the rear wheels (Fixing the wheels also solved the alignment issue)
fuel filter
air filter
oil change and filter
Used ABS module (could be bad)

Still have:
ABS light (intermittent)
Passenger front side upper arm bushings
Shock mount replacement (L and R)
Shocks (L and R)

Broken items while fixing other parts of the car (in other words, functioning parts but I broke them)
Coolant Reservoir return line (MJA4560BE)
Coolant Reservoir(MJD4400AB)
Center mount (EAC008130)

 

Repaired:
ABS light (intermittent) Repaired at modulemasters.com, trac and asc are no longer showing!
Coolant Reservoir return line (MJA4560BE)
Coolant Reservoir(MJD4400AB)
front and rear brake pads to ceramic

Still have:
Passenger front side upper arm bushings
Shock mount replacement (L and R) (Front and Rear)
Shocks (L and R) (Front and Rear)
Partial breather hose (Need the tool to take the hose off)
Engine mounts
Front bumper (bend the bumper and plastic weld the fiberglass and then repaint)

 

Holy cow! How do you find the time?

 

Repaired:
Passenger front side upper arm bushings
Shock mount replacement (L and R)
Shocks (L and R)
Engine mounts

Do not need to do:
Rear shock mount and shocks! Yeah!

Still have:
Partial breather hose (Need the tool to take the hose off)
Water pump
Coolant tree?? Whatever that is, LOL
Front bumper (bend the bumper and plastic weld the fiberglass and then repaint)
Repair tear and grommit hook
Convertible voltage regulator... Thanks Rev!