finally signed up so I can interact a bit more and throw in my 2 cents from time to time. I've been using the forum for about a year now when I have questions, beauty of it is that most any question I have has already been answered.
I just installed the LSI Jag XK8 convertible pump upgrade kit, and I'd highly reccomend it after just a handful of opening and closing my top, it seems to work much faster, no sticking and I hope it will prevent my hydraulic lines from rupturing, so thanks to member Gus Gilkas and the guys at LSI for coming up with this sub $300 fix

 

hi scott n welcome to the site ....Glad you decided to join up. I'm sure you'll be a veteran member in no time

 

Welcome to the forums! Have fun here!

All the Best!

 

Good call Scott, and welcome!

 

Howdy scottrader1

Welcome to the forum! Drive on in.

 

Welcome, LS1 into XK* opps I mean XK8 is very unusual but hey that sounds sick

 

I've never actually owned an american car, though i'm sure those guys could do some cool stuff with a foreign if they had the right tools.
If you own an XK8 (97'-06') check out the convertible top upgrade kit, could save you some repairs down the road
http://www.lsi-controls.com/JagKit.htm

 

Nice info, Scott. Have a pal with an XK8 top issue currently. Btw, any issues with the engine from your 97? Just curious...they always skeered me a bit so I shyed away.

 

I've only owned it a little over a year, but it has not had any engine issues yet. I made sure the first thing I had done was to upgrade the tensioned chain that was made of plastic. My mechanic tells me it was practically falling apart when they removed it, so good timing on that one, apparently that is an engine killer once it snaps. As for the Nikisil issues, I guess you don't really know until it happens, and as long as you have steered clear of high sulphur gas, you may get away with not having any problems with cylinder wash out, guess we'll just have to wait and see on that one.

 

welcome

 

Yes, it is an engine killer indeed. I admit I am more educated in the X308 than the X350 as I studied those cars for years in anticipation that I would eventually own one...until I bought my X350 5 weeks ago, lol.

Rumor has it, they ditched the plastic tensioners in late 01 and of course the Nikisil cars went away when the VIN began ending with an alpha character and 5 numericals, whereas they previously ended in six numericals.

For 6 years now I've regretted passing up a 97 XK8, which was a FL car and had a beautiful light blue/cream color combo with a tan top. I'm glad I can live vicariously through someone else, lol.

Other noted issues for the years were water pumps, of course, along with the Nikisil lining. Good thing you caught those tensioners, though!

Enjoy it and thanks again for that tip on the pump!

 

yes, you know I didn't know much about the water pump thing, but I know the previous owner put in a new one, the only thing he did besides oil changes the whole time he owned it, and I have since put in a new water pump as well. I have to assume the replacement water pumps must finally be engineered to last? or that's what I'm hoping. there was also a throttle body adjustment recall, though I think the cars covered under it finally ran out last summer sometime as it was quite a few years old. I happened across that one somewhere online and called my local Jag dealership to inquire, they told mine was indeed on the list and they took care of it. Funny, they didn't seem to contact the previous owner ever, or maybe he was just too lazy to get it done? When I bought the car, it happened to be only a few blocks from the only dealership in town, maybe for 100+ miles actually.

 

Yeah, I believe the water pump issue was corrected by 2000. It could've simply slipped through the cracks in regards to getting the recall performed. My X350 has 2 open recalls when I purchased it and had them corrected upon inspection at the dealership.

I have the sheet in the car on what they performed but I'll be damned if I can find what it says they actually did...