This week my wife's '98 XJ8 decided to shred its serpentine belt and leak coolant. I'm guessing the two are related which would mean the belt drives a water pump not inside the timing belt cover like my 944.
Am I correct and can I get to this myself with the engine still in the car? If so, what tools do I need to replace it.

 

Hello and Welcome
I extracted the 1998 XJ8 Accessory Drive Belt Removal & Install instructions and illustration from my JTIS21 CD. You will have to enlarge the image by left clicking you mouse a couple of times (try 2 or 3 times).



I hope this helps

Jim Lombardi

 

It is a fairly easy job to change the water pump and it is not inside the timing cover, rather just above. The belt is also a pretty easy change also with the routing diagram posted here and a breaker bar to take the tension off.

 

I put up a new thread that has the water pump Removal and Installation.
https://www.jaguarforums.com/forum/j...-jtis21-55824/

Jim lombardi

 

Also be sure the belt tensioner idler pulley is good--no bad bearings, etc.
This is almost a wear item on a Jaguar 8 cylinder engine.

The water pump is behind the thermostat housing--the thing with the round top on the front of the engine. You should make sure you don't have the old generation plastic thermo. housing, or it also needs to be replaced with a metal housing. While you're in there, install a new thermostat.

It's kind'a like turning over a rock when you're working on a Jag.

 

Well, the most obvious problem I have as I look at the front of the engine in daylight is that the idler roller hard a port of the alternator is worn out and has mostly fallen off. I just bet that if a new one were installed, the serpentine belt system would work. That still doesn't tell me why the coolant was leaking but I can save that for later.
Are there any auto stores in America that sell these or am I going to have to take a trip to the Jag dealer down the road 20 miles?
Thanks, jimlombardi, for the graphic and info. They are most helpful. Any relation to the late Vince Lombardi of the Green Bay Packers?