After 46 years dreaming of Jaguar ownership, I finally scrape together enough to purchase a 1998 XK8.
30 minutes into the journey home the coolant low light comes on, and having topped up with 4.5 litres of water, I finally get home. My local garage then informs me that the head gasket has gone.
My love affair is almost over as soon as it's begun, so 2 questions to the forum as a newbie:
1) Is it possible that a head gasket could have let go so quickly without the prior knowledge of the previous owner?
2) Can anyone recommend a Jaguar engineer in the Bristol are who could tackle the job.
All advice warmly received. Thanks in advance, Andy

 

Welcome to the forum,

Good to have you with us.

1/ Possible, yes likely, No.

2/ Sorry no idea, post up in the XK8 section and see if anybody has any ideas.

You should add your car details to your signature to help others to help you.

 

Welcome Andy,

And commiserations on a dreadful introduction to Jaguar ownership.

That is Bristol in the UK and not one of the 11 of the same name in the USA or 2 in Canada? If so, you're better placed for sourcing parts and specialists to do the work if you don't want to tackle it yourself.

As Norri advises, post the questions on the XK8/XKR 1996-2006 section and you'll get plenty of help.

Graham

 

Welcome to the forum.

Good to have you with us.

If it is Bristol UK and you have just purchased it. Take it straight back to the seller and get your cash back. As unfit for purpose.

If stuck, the Citizens Advice bureau will help you. You might get lucky.

 

Hi,

I'm brand new to the joys of Jaguar ownership. Having achieved a lifetime ambition to own one, my dreams have been cruelly dashed having been sold a pup of an XK8!

I won't let one rotten apple kill off the dream though and I can only say that I was amazed to have already received responses to a post I put up only yesterday asking for some advice.

Thanks to all - it already sounds like the Jaguar community really is all I'd expected it to be. I look forward to contributing wherever I can, although it's clear that there is some serious expertise and knowledge out there already which I doubt I'll ever match!

Looking forward to be a member.

Andy

 

Andy,

Welcome to the forum, even under the less than favorable circumstances the brought you here. But there are many knowledgeable members here who will help you with your issues. You've found the right place! Now make your way over to the XK8/XKR (1997-2006) Section and share your story with us there.

Add your car details to your signature first, this will help others help you faster.

Steve

 

Thanks for getting back to me - really appreciated. I'll try the XK8 section as you suggest. Much appreciated!

 

Thanks Graham - really appreciate your reponse. It was a private purchase sadly so my options are a bit limited, but I think I'm going to have a go through the small claims court. CAB is a great idea though. Cheers!

 

Thanks Richard - great advice. Andy

 

Steve, Thanks for the advice - gratefully received.

 

Hi Andy &,welcome to Jaguarforums, good to have you here with us

I wanted to say congrats on the purchase, then read about your poor experience. I'm so sorry that someone has dumped their problems and you're having to pay for it.
The XK8 section is awesome and the guys fantastic............Please please ask away and rest assured if they can help, they will and usually in quick order too.

If you add your car details to your signature it will help others to help you much more quickly.

A really great mix of information, camraderrie and fun
In the meantime I've manually upgraded you to full forum access so you can better view the whole site and all its features
so jump on in and enjoy

 

Thanks Jim - just working my way around the site too. Unbelievable amount of information out there. Thanks again.

 

glad you're enjoying it.............I'm seriously convinced that the info here and the members here mean we can help you through this and come out the other end................If you have any issues or anything you need help with just holler.....