...sorry guys, but I looked everywhere. Any FAQs? Where is the oil filter for the XJ8?? I lifted the car, looked around and couldn't find it. While I'm here, where is the drain plug?

I've changed the oil many times in other cars but this is the first time with this car. Need all the help and suggestions.

Thanks!

 

I think there is an engine undertray you have to remove first. This is there to smooth out the airflow under the car. It also keeps a lot of muck off the engine underside and other parts.

 

Yep; remove the plastic undertray...there are about eleven fasteners in all. (Glad to know I'm not the only owner who still changes his own oil+filter.)

relinuca

 

you could also suck the oil out of the dipstick.. this is the procedure dictated for my Benz.. I may try it with my XJ8 in the next few weeks..

I use a MityVac 7300 that hooks up to my air compressor, shove a tube down the dipstick and let it go to town.

 

I know its a royal pain pulling the belly pan off to get to the filter and why they did not put in an access flap to get to the filter is just silly ..but I do not think I would use the vac method, most of the crap is going to sit at the bottom of the pan and I don't see how you can remove all of that with a vac hose

 

I agree, suctioning oil out was developed for marine engines that have no access at the bottom and use a special fitting that takes the oil from the bottom of the sump. For the Jag, any acids, water and heavy debris will be at the bottom and will not reliably come out with a suction job down the dipstick hole.... bad idea. This is one labor saving shortcut that I vote against.

 

To be clear, I drain my XJ8 and Jeep from underneath.. however I found it strange that the Benz I own says you have to drain it topside as in sucking it out.. MB Mech. confirms. Was just an idea for the guy who said he could not access the plug underneath his car.

 

UPDATE: I finally changed my oil. The plastic undertray had to be removed (3 small bolts in back, two nuts in the middle, and 3 small bolts in front). Someone was asking about the cushion in a different message. There is a cushion attached to the undertray which prevents it from rattling against frame or other engine components.

It took 7.4 quarts of Mobil 1 (5W-30) with a K&N oil filter (33-2273). Oh, the mileage is 50710. This is the most mileage I switched from dino to syn. I am expecting some seepage but that should stop after the oil is absorbed. We'll see how it goes.

All in all, it runs much smoother and purrs now. My next project is to change the tranny and diff. Any suggestions?

 

I used Pentosin for the trans and haven't found a replacement for the rear end.