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Best maintainance/practices to keep an X308 healthy past 100,000 miles
So my beloved XJ8 has just hit 104,000 miles, and in the mere 4,000 miles I've had it it's safe to say I've grown severely attached. The thought crossed my mine that I should probably invest so time and effort into the car now to get the most life out of it in the future.
With that in mind I'd like to ask the community any top tips on keeping these guys going healthy after 100,000 miles - what parts are really worth replacing? Any maintainance one can do other than standard oil changes etc? What generally fails at this point? I've just replaced most of the coolant pipes, thermostat & housing, water pump, outlet pipe and engine belt after a coolant leak. Am strongly considering replacing the timing chains and tensioners too.
The service history on the car is sparse so I'm not sure what previous work has been done and a basic inspection hasn't shown any major problems - I'm more just looking for general advice which hopefully others can learn from too.
I have since read the sticky by jimlombardi which pretty much highlights the main things to go wrong. Should have searched properly before I posted. Also I found an excellent post on pistonheads with incredibly detailed advice on possible problems on the XJ8: http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?t=195961
Last edited by Alli Quinninho; Jul 24, 2016 at 03:54 PM.
"common supercharger coupler/torsion isolator rattle" is news to me. Any pre-emptive things to do about that?
I bought my two-year-old R because I expect its exhorbitant early depreciation is likely due to Jaguar's reputation, and while their reliability and repair expenses have improved so wonderfully, I am betting it will now hold its value as well or better than most performance cars.
And I am betting that Jaguar's reputation will continue to improve and become much more widely known as having become a reliable brand due to the power of the internet. As exemplified by this very thread.
(Yet, I did buy an extended warranty from ALLY for my peace of mind because I fully intend to keep it quite possibly until I'm too old to drive.)
Last edited by Forrest Keith; Nov 1, 2018 at 03:11 PM.
Hello;
My XJ Sport has 109,000 on it.
Here is what I've been doing (Read my tag line below, LOL :-)
Changed the trans fluid @ 103,000
Constantly changing the "rubber" parts on the car. (Sway bar bushings, control arm bushings, etc.....)
Change the shocks on all 4 wheels. This will make a HUGE difference if they haven't been changed in a while.
CHECK all the Universal joints on the car. (Drive shafts, rear shafts, etc....)
Lithium grease all the bulb connections, especially the ones in the trunk. (I've seen these cars short out the SLCM many times due to water and corrosion in a bulb socket. (Happened to me twice).
Check/Change the coils on the car.
Replace the brake fluid if it looks dark or cloudy in any way.
Grease up ALL the hinges and moving parts of the car. (Doors, hood, etc....)
Replace the serpentine belt once a year.
So my beloved XJ8 has just hit 104,000 miles, .......................... What generally fails at this point? I've just replaced most of the coolant pipes, thermostat & housing, water pump, outlet pipe and engine belt after a coolant leak. Am strongly considering replacing the timing chains and tensioners too.
Timing chains and tensioners should be next on your immediate list!
Assuming they have not already been updated, you may be living on borrowed time.
Here is a pic of one of the tensioners on my well cared for 2001 XJ8 4.0 VDP at 70,000 miles.
I don't know exactly what would be involved in doing it preventively, but I had the a-drum (transmission) failure at about 107,000, and the repair bill was huge.
Needed a new a-drum, new pressure regulator valve, valve body, and a couple of other things.
I know that you would need to switch to the upgraded a-drum and pressure regulator valve, but I don't know what else, maybe someone else can chime in?
I don't know exactly what would be involved in doing it preventively, but I had the a-drum (transmission) failure at about 107,000, and the repair bill was huge.
Needed a new a-drum, new pressure regulator valve, valve body, and a couple of other things.
I know that you would need to switch to the upgraded a-drum and pressure regulator valve, but I don't know what else, maybe someone else can chime in?
The Transgo pressure regulator valve upgrade is a good preventative maintenance move for the XJ8 5HP24 transmission. The valve is cheap enough, and some forum members have installed it themselves, but even if you have a reputable trans shop do it it is still not that expensive, I think I paid $440.00 including valve, 6 qts of trans fluid and labor.
I have a 14 year old 2004 XJ8 with 223,425 miles and the only replacement has been the Air shocks, air suspension compressor, brake pads, tires, spark plugs, oil pan gasket and new ATF pan and filter, new battery and light-bulbs
I have a 14 year old 2004 XJ8 with 223,425 miles and the only replacement has been the Air shocks, air suspension compressor, brake pads, tires, spark plugs, oil pan gasket and new ATF pan and filter, new battery and light-bulbs
Slightly different model, but most apply. Proper upkeep will keep these things going quite a long time!
I don't know exactly what would be involved in doing it preventively, but I had the a-drum (transmission) failure at about 107,000, and the repair bill was huge.
Needed a new a-drum, new pressure regulator valve, valve body, and a couple of other things.
I know that you would need to switch to the upgraded a-drum and pressure regulator valve, but I don't know what else, maybe someone else can chime in?
I've heard of this. What are signs an a drum is going bad? What even is the a drum.
My car has 120k, and has a lot of service history from the PO. Some from me as well.
I've heard of this. What are signs an a drum is going bad? What even is the a drum.
My car has 120k, and has a lot of service history from the PO. Some from me as well.
And here's a video describing how the pressure regulator valve can affect the clutch "A" drum, and why you should take the preventative measure of installing the upgraded Transgo valve,................
Best maintainance/practices to keep an X308 healthy past 100,000 miles
