I have a 2001 XJ8 that has developed an oil leak in, I believe the front seal. How difficult would this be to repair myself, or if I have it serviced, how expensive would it be?

 

Do you think it is the front seal as in the seal behind the main crank pulley? It is unusual to have one go bad but it is not impossible. Before I jumped into the seal changing I would try a few other things.
First clean the front of the engine from the valve covers on down to the oil pan.
Next, I would remove and clean the part load breather hose and the orifice in the cam cover.
Then after all that I would run it and try to find the source of the oil dripping.
A plugged part load breather will not vent the blow by from the pistons and it will build up in the crankcase and pressurize it causing leaks.

If you find that it is the crank seal then you will have to remove the pulley to access the seal. That would mean moving things out of the way for access. Hoses, water pump etc. Once there you will need a 24mm socket (I think) to remove the bolt holding the pulley on. You will have to use a stout puller to actually remove the pulley. The seal will be accessible then.

 

Said another way: live with it. It is a pain to replace. But they do leak from the top and run down. How many miles?

 

Someone suggested that after you have the area of suspect cleaned spray some pressurized can of foot powder on it and check after some time . I never though of that outside of my employers shop as a metal crack detector developer ( Spot Check manufactured by Magnaflux )

http://boltsandfasteners.com/assets/...01-5352-78.jpg

 

thanks;i actually found leak to be timing cover. no biggie .but I do have another prob.seams as if my front end is suddenly setting real low. as in my car feels like the skocks are gone . weird.could it be possible that both shocks failed at same time????

 

The shocks don't determine the ride height, the springs and pads do.

 

thanks rj. I really couldn't believe it was the shocks making set low .... and bounce going down the road. I was actually wondering if it had an air suspension system that failed . but you are saying the pads ?? I'm still lost. help!

 

Ok, that's an easy one, I had the exact same.

https://www.jaguarforums.com/forum/x...d-inch-176869/

People will tell you the shocks are not influencing the ride height, but they do.
I replaced the old ones for new Bilsteins, problem solved.
Of course that does not guarantee that you don't have an other problem, lift the car first and check everything.

 

I was somewhat in error. Forgot I wasn't on XK8 forum where the shock mounts greatly influence the ride height. The spring packing and locator do influence the ride height, but not that much.

I don't understand why the shocks themselves control the ride height, but Eric is very knowledgeable, so I will go with what he says.

 

If you read my post, you see the exact same discussion started there (as in many other threads about shocks I googled that time).
I side with you that logic says it should not influence, and that the shock's neutral point should match with the car's ride height on the springs....

Well, I also learned it doesn't, and the compression of the shocks does push the car up by an inch, the exact height I lost when my final shock went blop .
Maybe it's got to do with tired/worn springs, i am not sure, but I guess most of us are dealing with ~20yr old springs by now.