New to the sight, but not new to Jags. I just bought a 2003 XJ8 that just turned 100K as I drove it home. The car was purchased from a known individual who takes good care of his cars and puts 30+K on his Jags every year. Other than what he did to it in the year that he had it, the previous service history is unknown. The car is in good condition, drives like a dream and I want to keep it that way for the foreseeable future. (I put less than 8K on my daily driver per year).

I specifically choose a 2003 model because of their reputation among my local Jaguar community for being one of the best, "trouble free" years. I am a DIY type of guy and have a fully equipped shop that I use to work on and restore MGs and Triumphs, so I'm looking to create a list of systems/items that I need to start to look at and possibly do some PM work on to insure many more miles of smiles.

Suggestions, advice and stories are all welcome. Thanks!

 

Spark plugs, gearbox oil and filter change, suspension rubber, brake fluid change and that should keep you busy for a while.

 

timing tensioners (primary and secondary), updated water pump, thermostat, fuel pump if it's getting noisy, cleaning part load breather hole, running around through all the breather hoses and small coolant hoses checking around for leaks. Just the things I've gone through in the past couple months. Also planning on slowly working through suspension bits, rear end driveline refreshing, and brake stuff, as jimbov mentioned.

I believe there's a service kit for the zf trans that upgrades/replaces the one pressure valve that can cause the common a drum failure, worth looking into.

Just noticed in your sig, how did you get an XJ8L in '96?

 

Do you need a brand new RHS headlight for a Rover 827S?

Also have a factory manual for the same model.

 

I worked for the British government at the time. We even tried to get a diesel into the states, but it wasn't worth the hassle.

 

I personally don't, but I will see if someone in the Rover group I hang out with does. Thanks for letting me know.

 

With an 03, you shouldn't need to do the tensioners. Replace the fuel filter. Renew the diff lube (also lube the zerk fittings on the half shafts at the differential); change the upper shock mounts; clean the throttle bore and plate. Check belts, hoses; the thermostat housing and crossover pipes are ready to crumble.

 

Jim: Thanks for the advise on the tensioners. With all the posts I have been reading, I was putting that on the "to-do" list.(which seems to be ever expanding)! Even did a posting looking for the tool kit. LOL

 

I did mine about a year ago on my 2001 XJR...

Christopher's Foreign Car Parts. ? CHRISTOPHERS FOREIGN CAR PARTS.COM

I bought the complete kit, along with a new water pump, since I'd be in there anyway. He also rents the tools to do the job, which was a blessing. The only problem we had was getting the crank bolt out, but, my best friend is a master machinist, so, he came up with an Ozarkian engineered tool to remove that, which incorporated a lot of leverage...

Highly recommend this company for help in doing this job.

 

An 03 has a different setup; does not need secondaries replacement.

 

Don't forget a fresh coolant change if it hasn't been done already!