I'm looking at the sedan version of my XKR; a 1998 XJR in Carnival Red. It is in good shape with 80k and I know a lot of the faults of the AJ26, the W5A580 and in general these cars.

If I buy; I had a few questions about some parts I wanted to do immediately preventatively.

When I did the Secondary Tensioners in my XKR, this applied:

Ford PN 2W9Z6K254BA Right Secondary metal bodied Tensioner (1 required)
Ford PN 2W9Z6K254CA Left Secondary metal bodied Tensioner (1 required)
Ford PN W500301S300 Bolt (4 required)

Are those part numbers correct for a 1998 AJ26 XJR? Also, where can I get a valve cover gasket set since I know the felpro one I used on my AJ27 is not an option.

I know I want to replace the water pump right off the bat too. What is the consensus on what exact piece to replace it with? It seems I can get the OEM Jaguar part for $87, but the price isn't the issue, I just want to be sure I'm putting the best part on the car.

What else should I look at immediately doing other than fluids and belts and what I mentioned?

Also, you XJ guys are pretty cool! I've looked for a while for an XJR because my Audi A8 has become an expensive annoyance that requires way too much of my time in maintenance and repairs, but enough of that. XJ!

 

The engine are the same. Try sng barratt or motorcars ltd. for the valve cover gaskets.

The pump is a source of endless discussion. I think most are buying metal impellers now, OEM is always a choice, whatever they are sourcing now.

 

The person I was buying from had some stuff come up and I had to wait until today. It was great and I ended up getting it for $4100.

They have a receipt for a new water pump and service for the entire cooling system done 1 year ago! They have receipts for the transmission fluid change, differential reseal and refill; both done 2 years ago. New Serpentine and SC belt at the same time. It was done at a local shop that's well respected for Euro cars called Community Auto (Grand Rapids, MI). They just put a new Interstate battery in it too!

The faults:

The red paint on the right taillight bezel is chipping in one spot, I have touch up paint for this exact color (my XKR is also Carnival Red), so im going to clean up the spot and paint it.

The sunroof tries to work, the motor runs and the button works, but it seems to bind up; there's no leakage from the sunroof, and that's good. In the spring I'll fix it; sunroofs are easy.

The driver's door panel seems a little beat up and rough near the switches for the windows. I'll be buying a nice used one.

 

That is why they are called project cars.

 

Less so than my Audis! They like time and money a lot.

 

Ain't it the truth!

 

I'd replace the plastic tensioner guides as well as the tensioners themselves.

Be aware, the ZF transmission in X308s, which uses synthetic fluid and is "sealed for life" LOL, is known to fail after 80K miles. Metal dust builds up until it overcomes the filter and magnet, and something blows. I'm on my third X308 -- the transmission failed on my '98 XJ. My wrench, Juan at Continental Imports in Oakland CA, cleaned out my current XJR's transmission thoroughly and replaced the synthetic fluid with regular. I'll be having the tranny serviced regularly, just as did owners of previous generations of XJs.

Like you I'm a sucker for the A8 -- but I've had too much experience with Audis to risk owning one. My three XJs have been magnificent. Take care of the few sensitive areas and your XJR will run like a train. I've got 135K miles on my '01 and I still get 5,000 miles to a quart of Mobil 1.





John's 2001 XJR, factory Emerald over Ivory

 

The XJR from 98-03 US years and the XKR from 00-02 US Years had a Jaguar W5A580 aka Mercedes 722.6 rather than a ZF unit, which on the XK8/XJ8 (XK8 pre-03, XJ8 pre x350) was a 5HP24 by ZF. I purposely prefer the R models partially because of the better transmission.

Luckily the former owner had receipts for the transmission fluid being changed recently!