What are the known trouble areas?
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Junior Member
Joined: Feb 2017
Posts: 7
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From: Chicagoland
What are the known trouble areas?
I am in the market for a 2000(?) XJR. I have read the forum to find out the big weak spots in the car. So far, I gather the chain tensioners and transmission issues are areas of concern. What are the other major known weaknesses?
Any and all input is welcome. This will be my first foray into the world of Jaguar.
Thanks.
Any and all input is welcome. This will be my first foray into the world of Jaguar.
Thanks.
The XJ8 has transmission issues, The XJR does not.
Timing chain tensioners
Coolant hoses
Front and rear suspension
Nikasil Liner Engines
Water pump
Headliner glue deteriorates
and more....
Timing chain tensioners
Coolant hoses
Front and rear suspension
Nikasil Liner Engines
Water pump
Headliner glue deteriorates
and more....
Veteran Member
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 2,319
Likes: 1,278
From: Fort Worth
I'll add to that there is a defective solder connection inside the ABS controller module that's either a 50 cent DIY fix or a $1,000 shop replacement. Also, the interior door handle cable tends to stretch over time and need replacement. Its several hundred dollars for the whole door handle assembly from Jag, but one of the aftermarket vendors has the cable itself for under $100. More specifically on the suspension, look at all the rubber bushings and isolators, like the ones at the top of the front shocks may literally appear like a well-used pencil eraser if not already replaced. Again, cheaper alternatives through the aftermarket.
Nikasil is apparently not so much an issue in the United States, but some countries got high sulfur content in gasoline which reacts poorly with cylinder wall plating, wearing it away. Check to see if the engine is smoking blue smoke. If not, no worry. Water pumps had defective? plastic impellers on early models. Best advice, try to find one with complete maintenance records showing that many of the common issues have already been sorted. After all, at this age and typical mileage, it probably has been. Once sorted tho, its as reliable as any Ford product of the same vintage.
But at this age, every piece of plastic, rubber and vinyl on these cars is where I'd be most concerned. For instance, even things out of sight that you don't often think about like the rubber around each speaker cone is probably disintegrated by now. Or here in Texas, every time I press the little tab on an electrical connector, it just snaps off. Depending on your climate, all these kind of things may be already toast if the car was parked outdoors or may have a few years left if it was always parked indoors both night AND DAY. Up your way, the plastic lasts longer, but the lifespan of steel is shorter. Good luck.
Nikasil is apparently not so much an issue in the United States, but some countries got high sulfur content in gasoline which reacts poorly with cylinder wall plating, wearing it away. Check to see if the engine is smoking blue smoke. If not, no worry. Water pumps had defective? plastic impellers on early models. Best advice, try to find one with complete maintenance records showing that many of the common issues have already been sorted. After all, at this age and typical mileage, it probably has been. Once sorted tho, its as reliable as any Ford product of the same vintage.
But at this age, every piece of plastic, rubber and vinyl on these cars is where I'd be most concerned. For instance, even things out of sight that you don't often think about like the rubber around each speaker cone is probably disintegrated by now. Or here in Texas, every time I press the little tab on an electrical connector, it just snaps off. Depending on your climate, all these kind of things may be already toast if the car was parked outdoors or may have a few years left if it was always parked indoors both night AND DAY. Up your way, the plastic lasts longer, but the lifespan of steel is shorter. Good luck.