I have been looking nonstop for a project, and this has potential, since I want an XJR. Here's the info I have so far, let fly with your comments, good and bad.

"I have a 1998 Jaguar XJR that is cosmetically in very nice condition . . . . . but I have some mechanical trouble that appears now to be a head gasket. It had been giving me some trouble only recently in that the coolant system was registering low levels relatively shortly after topping it up.

I had the thermostat replaced and a hose was also replaced about 3 weeks ago.

However, the low level sensor was tripping every other day and so I topped it up with minimal amounts of water at the end of any respective day the light came on.

On Monday night, the car began running very very rough and there was steam coming out of the tailpipe on one side.

And so, I am pretty certain, it is the head gasket."

Waddya think, folks?

 

Well, we don't know how much, how good, how far, how many (miles), not anyhting except it probably has a bad head gasket. Replacing the head gaskket is a good excuse to change all of the timing chain tensioners, and it can be done with the block in the car. You also did not say if you would be doing the work yourself, or farming it out.

It is much easier to fix mechanical stuff than cosmetics, so that part sounds good. If you have the tools, and at least reasonable mechanical aptitude and some patience, and can and will read and follow a procedure, then a rookie can do one head in about 40 hours and about $400-$600 worth of "stuff". If it has higher mileage, you might want to have the heads built (I would not do that myself again if I could help it) for about $800. Add another 8 hours for doing both heads. If you are going to pay someone else to do it, then you might want to consider a used engine.

The smile an XJR will put on your face- priceless!

Good luck!

 

I have tools and good mechanical skills, so the work doesn't put me off. The expense might, but that depends on the details and condition of the car.
When you say 400-600 worth of stuff, what kinda stuff are we talking about? Purely head related gaskets, or including tensioner bits?
Thanks

 

I'm going to have a look at it tomorrow, apparently it is very clean condition, and 144,000 km, or 89,000 miles. That's all I've got for now. I can pick up an XJR in Washington State for the 5-7k range, while they are closer to 8-10 k up here when you see one.
Given those numbers, I'm thinking maybe 4k max for an offer?

 

If its a 98 with an original engine it has the nicasil motor. You can rebuild the heads but if the cylinder lining is damaged, you'll need a new block. $4k for a 98 XJR with a blown motor is a bit generous. I'd offer $2500. I doubt there'll be a line for that car.

 

I agree with tirefriar. Again, it depends on how flawless the cosmetics are. Look for sagging headliner, rocker panel rust, sunroof misoperation, cupholder, tires, wheels, and so on to distinguish from "good" and "perfect".

The gasket set is about $300+ as I recall, if you shop, and a little more for the tensioners, so I might have been a little light. And don't discount the possibility that you will break some stuff getting it apart.

The "value" of the repair is in the $3,000 to $4,000 range whether you do it or have it done. And, as tirefriar says, this is a problem sale for the owner.

 

Yep agree with the above, go in low. Not everyone has your skills. I keep making that mistake, taking wrenching for granted can be expensive

You'll be refreshing all top end induction gaskets, on the R unit reusing is a bad idea, unmetered air leaks, oil leaks etc. Timing, tensioners may need addressing. Do both head gaskets, you may as well while it's down.

With regards the nik block, you probably know my opinion, if it's got good compression, all will be well.

There have been a couple of similar jobs on here recently, so I'm sure plenty of info and help on the work. The work shouldn't be an issue to you Rob

 

I did some research last night and found that to buy a complete timing kit, all tensioners, chains and gaskets, was $700 Cdn. Head gasket kit $355, head bolts 300, tools up to 400, octopus hose 250, which brings it to $2,000 without trying.
Other hoses, belts, oil, coolant, and all those assorted bits that break or are just worn out, will add more to the bill. Oh yeah, water pump ($100), and other "while I'm in there" bits.

 

I would go for a motor swap in this case. Plenty of low mileage engines to be had, and an easy swap. That would be MY plan.

For the offer to seller,......his asking price lowered close to "trade in" (wholesale) value, MINUS retail headgasket parts and labor. If you are confident to DIY, it's your skill, your time, and your aggravation, ....why would you give all this to the seller? Charge him (in deductions from the price) a fair price that any Indy would charge YOU, and source the engine BEFORE you show the cash. If he is not a total moron, he already priced the repair, and decided that it's more feasable to unload it. (you can test this after he balks at your offer,.....tell him YOU will pay for the diagnostics at the Indy shop, and whatever they would charge to fix the problem, you will deduct from the price). Chances are,...he already priced it.

Selling a 1998 XJR with "problems" is not a good thing. He will sit on that cat for a VERY LONG time. If he can afford to sit on it (like in parting it out), it's a different story, but if he is a regular Jag owner (and not one of us enthusiasts!), he will take a little cash and have a problem taken off of his hands.

Let us know how it plays out.

 

There may be plenty of motors where you live, but not here. They seem to be in the range of 2-3000 dollars before shipping, then of course I have an unknown quantity on my hands. I would feel better about spending that money and having a solid engone in there.
I'm off to have a look at it now, will update later.

 

Well, I went to see it and it's very pretty. Red/burgundy/maroon in colour. Black and white interior (without woodgrain, is this normal for an XJR?), generally very clean inside and out.
No oil in the water, no water in the coolant tank. Apparently is being dumped overboard through the expansion tank. On startup there i a loud rattle from the front. It stopped within a second or so. It is running rough, with more white smoke from the left bank than the right. Steam and a smell come from the coolant tank after it runs for a minute.
It still sounds like a head gasket to me. I could not find the engine number, so I am assuming it's original. The car is Canadain, and I am told from BC where I live. This is important due to road salt concerns.
There was a check engine message but I didn't have my OBDII reader. As mentioned before, 89,000 miles. Super clean interior, very nice paint decent factory rims, tires ok but getting low on tread. Brake discs look ok but some wear. Exhaust is solid, dunno what else to say. I have video and pics, not sure how they turned out.

 

 

And here's a video of the start; IMG_0228_zps1baa1c2c.mp4 Video by avt007 | Photobucket

And one showing the smoke, sorry for the crappy quality. http://s336.photobucket.com/user/avt...42878.mp4.html

 

It is indeed, a clean machine!!

 

Check for rust behind the front shock absorbers , in the area where the subframe is bolted to the body ..

https://www.jaguarforums.com/forum/x...-repair-96817/


I'm doing almost the same repair on my '99 XJR right now , subframe off etc.

 

carnival red and ivory, I had one in that colour, sounded bottom end on startup....weird noise I was expecting a rattle from the s/c. It started up like a tractor engine, it stopped halfway through cranking, what was that about?
The dark stain wood is standard on the R of that year.

 

Wow, I agree Sean. I expected a single hydro lock kind of knock. I wonder if hydro lock has caused some other damage?

 

I am going to look at it again today. The intermittent knock is scary but most bottom ends noises tend to be steady, in my experience.

 

Well I bought it. It was too pretty and too good a deal in this market. Most of all it is a project I can sink my teeth into. Whether it's a repair, replacement, or 4.2/4.0 hybrid, it will run again.
Thanks for the replies everyone.

 

congratulations with that nice car