When you click on links to various merchants on this site and make a purchase, this can result in this site earning a commission. Affiliate programs and affiliations include, but are not limited to, the eBay Partner Network.
1998 Jaguar XJR (X308 Supercharged) stranded near West Wendover (I-80) transport
Hey everyone,
Im a long-time Jaguar enthusiast and recently picked up a 1998 Jaguar XJR (X308, supercharged 4.0L V8), but ran into an issue mid-trip and had to leave the car safely parked near West Wendover (NV/UT border off I-80) Where you'll find the casinos.
-----------------
The issue appears to be a failed water pumponce up to temperature, coolant builds pressure and pushes out of the expansion tank when rpms raise. I stopped driving as soon as temps began rising to avoid engine damage apon approaching Utah from Nevada (at night 1am).
-----------
Prior to purchase, the cooling system was pressure tested with no leaks, the car passed CA smog, and it was running well with no warning lights. Oil was just changed, alternator rebuilt, and battery replaced belts changed, brake pads changed.
The car has brand new tires, clean body, solid interior, and all electronics/speakers were working properly. Estimated ~139k miles (odometer replaced previously) only issues is one low beam bulb.
While diagnosing, the right-side hood hinge became stuck (common X308 issue), limiting further access. I had flown out with no tools and was 2000 miles from home, so I made the decision to leave the car rather than risk further damage.
I have the key and paperwork in hand and can overnight the key if needed. Title is currently being handled at VA/MD MVA.
Looking for: Someone already heading east who could transport it (paid), or
--------- A buyer interested in taking it as-is and saving me the cost of shipping it back to MD/VA
---------------
The car rolls but will need to be winched onto a trailer (currently locked, no key on-site).
Im open to working something out and can verify ownership for serious inquiries. Not expecting full purchase pricejust looking for a fair solution vs. shipping.
Appreciate any help or leadsthanks. Below are pictures took before purchase, during trip-- and where it is now (all in order). If asking where exactly it is message me please.
After purchase during San Fran to Neveda
After Road Trip Where it sits now till I find a solution for the next part of its life.
Bummer that this didn't happen on the Reno side of NV. I could have brought a WP as soon as I found it in one of my spares boxes, the tool box, and changed it out. All it would of cost you is dinner at the Atlantis steak house and a room for the night after downing a good bottle of wine.
That car looks just like my first XJR that I totaled on N. Capitol St when I was living in DC; that happened in December of '03. And that shop in SFO looks somewhat familiar; were there some Ferraris and other high-end cars in there, too? .
my 2000 VDP had the thermostat stick closed a couple of weeks ago. No prior symptoms...I noticed the car acting funny about a block from home and the gauge was in the red. Turned off the car for a couple of hours and retrieved it for the very short drive home. The thermostat was stuck shut. Weird. Hope your problem is that easy.
Make sure the coolant 'air-bleed' lines to the reservoir are routed correctly!!!!!!
I have seen MANY instances of the lines NOT crossed because 'it looks weird' and people install incorrectly.
I looked at the picture of the left front suspension and thought "lower part of the coolant hose" then remembered that OP said the coolant pushes out of the expansion tank, which would mean it's going to the overflow tank. If that tank is spewing coolant, yea, that's a lot. If the original WP is on there, then it's a good chance that it finally failed. The WP's with the (iirc) white impeller failed a lot and the replacement was a black impeller with the tighter fit on the shaft. There was also one with a metal impeller, but those didn't pump as well as the plastic ones.
Motorcarmans check on easy to error hose routing has some pictures that someone made recently
ELM - 327 live data reader would be nice to see actual coolant temp ...........but
There may be a way to trick the coolant fans to stay on high going around the fans control , uses the same temp sensor the engine uses to go into closed loop
Off top of head the fans control module has a command wire ( s ) from the engine ECM that the ECM is reading the coolant temp
See page 45 lower middle of page
Assuming fans control module is good ..............................
White / Blue wire at fans control module to ground will give you high
White wire will give low
Assuming fans control module is not good .................this try on stranded car covers all bases with the exception of bad individual fan motors
As a stranded trick turn off A / C and roll windows down , turn the heat on full blast high temp and cabin fan volume and that will extract some of the heat quantity ( Q ) out of the engine coolant fluid
Last edited by Parker 7; Mar 30, 2026 at 05:49 PM.
Bummer that this didn't happen on the Reno side of NV. I could have brought a WP as soon as I found it in one of my spares boxes, the tool box, and changed it out. All it would of cost you is dinner at the Atlantis steak house and a room for the night after downing a good bottle of wine.
That car looks just like my first XJR that I totaled on N. Capitol St when I was living in DC; that happened in December of '03. And that shop in SFO looks somewhat familiar; were there some Ferraris and other high-end cars in there, too? .
Yeah, I forgot the name but employees are nice. Boss was a really firm guy, they work on exotics including 911's, cayenne's and yeah I think there was a Ferrari.
Honestly wish I made a forum post when the issue happened, I was stuck in West Wendover for a few days before having to abandon the car. After getting home I really regretted not being able to take it with me but I had to make a court date in Maryland.
Currently looking for a person to ship the car so I can fix it and enjoy it. Seats in there are really comfortable for 98 compared to the XK8. Once I find a shipper I would have to ship the key, currently have it parked to make it hard for a tow truck to get it lol. Plus I left a note till the car is recovered or sold at the worse. But considering it's rarity and rather better paint I would rather get it shipped back to its new caring home. If anyone is in west wendover let me know. Would love to have someone watch it till I can get a driver.
Make sure the coolant 'air-bleed' lines to the reservoir are routed correctly!!!!!!
I have seen MANY instances of the lines NOT crossed because 'it looks weird' and people install incorrectly.
Considering it lasted close to 700 miles and more than 4 hours of driving. I doubt the lines were wrong, it was a failure during the last leg of Neveda. I'm some what familiar with the coolant setup having the N/A 4.0 in the XK8 minus the supercharger
I looked at the picture of the left front suspension and thought "lower part of the coolant hose" then remembered that OP said the coolant pushes out of the expansion tank, which would mean it's going to the overflow tank. If that tank is spewing coolant, yea, that's a lot. If the original WP is on there, then it's a good chance that it finally failed. The WP's with the (iirc) white impeller failed a lot and the replacement was a black impeller with the tighter fit on the shaft. There was also one with a metal impeller, but those didn't pump as well as the plastic ones.
I believe it was the original, hoses were all in good shape but I didn't do my full due diligence to check if the water pump was upgraded. The shop didn't have the history on the pump, just alternator and some other things that I couldn't confirm from my inspection visually with my knowledge of jags and working on them
As a stranded trick turn off A / C and roll windows down , turn the heat on full blast high temp and cabin fan volume and that will extract some of the heat quantity ( Q ) out of the engine coolant fluid
Actually did this to drive it 30 mins into that dystopian casino town of West Wendover, I actually broke down in Nevada 30 minus before the border. Once temp spikes I shifted to neutral shut off the engine, and allowed the fan to run while I came to a stop on the shoulder. From there I used the water I had to fill coolant up after accessing the issue, put the heat on full blast and drove with 1k max at 10-20 miles an hour. Mind you semi trucks were going 85mph. That i-80 route is crazy at night.
your photos show your hoses are correctly routed: I was about to send a photo to show the correct rout, then looked again at all of your pictures.
I wonder if the easiest route might be to fly back to Salt Lake City, rent a U-Haul with a trailer, and go get it.
Even with a Golf Club, West Wendover is really in the boonies.
I know a lot of these car carriers are bonded, still . . . Maybe haul it back to Reno: steak dinner would be pretty cheap . . . in comparison.
your photos show your hoses are correctly routed: I was about to send a photo to show the correct rout, then looked again at all of your pictures.
I wonder if the easiest route might be to fly back to Salt Lake City, rent a U-Haul with a trailer, and go get it.
Even with a Golf Club, West Wendover is really in the boonies.
I agree, it took me 2 days to find a way out of there. There's a school in that town but somehow he's still a tourist attraction. Since starting the forum I found some options to rescue without going back and reliving the trauma. But as far as I know it's safe for now.
This will be an adventure: maybe a lot more costly than what you have in the beast . . .
Attached is the picture showing the routing of the overflow hoses: what Bob was saying was if they don't cross over, you will spew coolant . . . but yours looks right.
1998 Jaguar XJR (X308 Supercharged) stranded near West Wendover (I-80) transport
