My friend has this car and it was driving fine until one day it wouldn't start. I bought it and towed it to my garage. The tow truck driver thinks it is the timing chain by the sound it makes, so now I want to part it out. Starting from scratch, have ALL parts! Please - any suggestions?

 

The timing chain belt tensioners were a common problem for the Jaguars that had the 4.0 V8 from 1998 up through mid 2002. With regards to parting it out, just have lots of patience and a place to store the parts. I have been parting out a '98 XJ8 for about 4 months now and I have noticed that you get lots of questions but the follow-up is typically about 25%-33% as to actually selling a part. It is truly just a labor of love and not a money maker. If I were in your shoes and could do it all over again I would look into fixing the timing belt issue and then selling it as a whole rather than parts. Good luck either way!!!!
Chris

 

I bought my 99 XJ8L for $500 because the timing chain broke on 1 bank. I had the wrecker put the car in my shop and 2 days later, I drove the car out. The exhaust cam stopped in a GOOD place and no valves were bent so I replaced the chains, guides and tensioners. I have been driving it now for over 2 years.

The engine and trans are probably the parts worth the most. Since your engine is damaged, you can cross that off the list as a desirable part.

I would fix the engine and sell or drive the car, but fixing cars is what I do!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

bob gauff

 

Why don't you just fix it?

 

Yeah? That thing looks like it's in great shape! As long as you didn't spend too much money getting it (which would make recouping your money more difficult) I'd say just get an engine and throw it in. Then fix that one and sell it. Or pull the original, fix that and throw it back in. That looks like a nice car to part out...

 

I thought the timing was out on my 99. Turns out the fuel pump malfunctioned and flooded the engine. The engine turned over like the battery was dying and the timing was out. I called the dealer and mechanic knew exactly what I was describing. He told me to pull the plugs and spray WD-40 down each cylinder. When I put the plugs back in it turned over perfectly. The fuel pump was another animal though. Maybe worth a look anyway.

 

did you find out what is wrong with it yet ?

 

How many KM/Miles are on the car?

How much for the transmission?