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It's a fully rebuilt engine, not a used just a engine. Does this cost still seem way out of line?
You were saying the rebuilt was going to be $2000, the total $6000, so apparently $4000 for the labor. If this is correct, I just kinda wonder. However, I really don't know.
Myself, I'd try to take a step back and see if I want to put this much on this car, or maybe see what else might be out there? I went thru this a bit when I thot my engine might be toast. Fortunately it wasn't.
You were saying the rebuilt was going to be $2000, the total $6000, so apparently $4000 for the labor. If this is correct, I just kinda wonder. However, I really don't know.
Myself, I'd try to take a step back and see if I want to put this much on this car, or maybe see what else might be out there? I went thru this a bit when I thot my engine might be toast. Fortunately it wasn't.
Sorry for the confusion, it was about $4k for a used engine including all parts and labor. For a rebuilt engine with a 2 year 24k mile warranty, all parts and labor it will be $5,650. The rest of the car inside & out is in near perfect condition. Does that sound like a good deal/idea?
IF (big if!) the car is near perfect otherwise and the "rebuild" is done by a quality shop, then you know what you have when you are done.
Just for reference, I bought a 70,000 mile 2002 XFR engine used for $2,000. It should cost about $ 1,500 to $2000. to install.
What really has not yet been said in this thread is, it takes a really good mechanic with a lot of tools and time to match the parts matching that goes on in the original manufacture of an engine. For instance, you can notice on the right side of the engine are hand stamped codes which specify which "tolerances" of parts fit in each cylinder position. So, "small" pistons are fit in "small" bores and so on. Each of the parts (usually) is within overall spec, but by further matching tolerances, they make an engine much more inside the tolerance. Without what is called "blueprinting", that just does not occur for a "rebuilt" engine.
So, it is your call, but many of us would go for the used engine rather than the rebuild, IF (another BIG IF) we knew the pedigree of the used motor.
Other opinions will vary! Either way you go, good luck and keep us posted of the results so others can make good decisions.
IF (big if!) the car is near perfect otherwise and the "rebuild" is done by a quality shop, then you know what you have when you are done.
Just for reference, I bought a 70,000 mile 2002 XFR engine used for $2,000. It should cost about $ 1,500 to $2000. to install.
What really has not yet been said in this thread is, it takes a really good mechanic with a lot of tools and time to match the parts matching that goes on in the original manufacture of an engine. For instance, you can notice on the right side of the engine are hand stamped codes which specify which "tolerances" of parts fit in each cylinder position. So, "small" pistons are fit in "small" bores and so on. Each of the parts (usually) is within overall spec, but by further matching tolerances, they make an engine much more inside the tolerance. Without what is called "blueprinting", that just does not occur for a "rebuilt" engine.
So, it is your call, but many of us would go for the used engine rather than the rebuild, IF (another BIG IF) we knew the pedigree of the used motor.
Other opinions will vary! Either way you go, good luck and keep us posted of the results so others can make good decisions.
Thank you for the info, I really appreciate everyone on here being so helpful! I will definitely keep everyone posted, thanks again.
I had to replace the engine on my XJ8 VDP. XK8 engines usually have fewer miles and get wrecked more often. Coventry West sold me an XK8 engine with warranty, new tensioners and about 60,000 miles on it. $2,600. Be careful on the year since an earlier engine will require more changes to make it work.
Getting a new XJ8 and using this as parts car is cheaper in the long term.
I understand the emotional attachment. I "invest" $4,000 a year in my car....
So I decided to have the original motor rebuilt since the rest of the car is near perfect. I get it back next Tuesday 2/16. Once I get it back I'll post a new thread with an update! Thanks for your help everyone!
The mechanic that has worked on it for a long time, did you ask him if the car had a history of being overheated?
When I bought mine I had constant coolant hose issues, it resulted in the car overheating and eventually head gasket replacements. I also had every single coolant hose on the car replaced by Jaguar. You really have to watch it with these cars, they have coolant system reliability issues, and if not taken care of can turn in to head gasket issues. Mine had been overheated several times.
Replacing with a used motor is surely your best bet, replacing the entire car my have its own set of problems, and you may end up right where you are now. Stick with the known evil. 6K is not bad if that is parts and labor all together.
The mechanic that has worked on it for a long time, did you ask him if the car had a history of being overheated?
When I bought mine I had constant coolant hose issues, it resulted in the car overheating and eventually head gasket replacements. I also had every single coolant hose on the car replaced by Jaguar. You really have to watch it with these cars, they have coolant system reliability issues, and if not taken care of can turn in to head gasket issues. Mine had been overheated several times.
Replacing with a used motor is surely your best bet, replacing the entire car my have its own set of problems, and you may end up right where you are now. Stick with the known evil. 6K is not bad if that is parts and labor all together.
No known issues with overheating. I took it on a riadtrip from San Diego to Monterrey and back with no issues at all. $6K was the total for everything and they rebuilt my motor. I didn't want to go the used motor route because there's no way to know what it's been through.
Good stuff. The rebuilt block looks great. As long as the block itself wasn't damaged/cracked that would be the way to go. To be honest I didn't see the pictures until just after I posted. When you had it out you should have hunted down an XJR tranny and top end. Superchargers are fun!!
Were you kidding about "coolant hose issues" and overheating? Seriously, other than the early water pump failures, these cars, including the SC just don't have many failures. Yours seems to have been an exception. Do you have any idea why yours had "coolant hose issues". I don't disagree with your replacmenbt of all the hoses. That's probably a good idea on any car that is 14 - 18 years old!
No, I was not kidding about the coolant hose issues.
I have had all of mine replaced.
Coming back from OKC one day the small line that connects to the back of the Thermostat housing broke at the connector, it just pumped coolant all down the front of the block. After replacing that piece the, hose that runs back to the throttle body broke, then the hoses that run under the S/C broke. I had them all replaced by Jaguar of Tulsa.
Also, there are quite a few posts about coolant system leaks on these cars. There are heater hosers that run under the S/C, and sit right on the top of the motor. They are prone to fail.
Last edited by ym37tech; Feb 12, 2016 at 11:12 AM.
No, I was not kidding about the coolant hose issues.
I have had all of mine replaced.
Coming back from OKC one day the small line that connects to the back of the Thermostat housing broke at the connector, it just pumped coolant all down the front of the block. After replacing that piece the, hose that runs back to the throttle body broke, then the hoses that run under the S/C broke. I had them all replaced by Jaguar of Tulsa.
Also, there are quite a few posts about coolant system leaks on these cars. There are heater hosers that run under the S/C, and sit right on the top of the motor. They are prone to fail.
The mechanic replaced all hoses and belts. Including the octopus hose (as he called it). He said that is the hose which causes a lot of issues if not replaced.
Superchargers are fun!!
