here's another question for everyone out there with regards to my 2000 xj8 executive 3.2 with 50000 miles.
i'll apologize now for the amount of text but better too much info than not enough!!
occaissionally on starting the engine a huge (and i mean huge) cloud of white smoke has emitted from both tail pipes. this smoke doesn't appear to have any smell to it or not one that i recognize or it's so faint my nose aint sensitive enough to smell it.
after this initial puff of white (which happens as soon as the engine fires and lasts no longer than 1 or 2 seconds) smoke no more is evident either on tickover or when being driven.
it's done this when it's been cold and parked up for a few days as well as when hot and only been stood for half an hour but it's only done it 3 times in the last 1000 or so miles.
the car starts easily/immediately, with no labouring to turn over etc.
it has been to an independant jag garage who have coolant leak tested it, checked for exhaust gas in the coolant etc and everything appears fine.
they did say that it could be condensation in the exhaust but it seems an awful lot of smoke to be just that but then what do i know and that's why i'm asking you guys.
my general driving style is fairly gentle as a rule with only occaisional foot to the floor acceleration and top speeds on average of 70-80mph. the last time it did the smoke thing it had had a quite hard drive for approx 5 miles before switching the engine off, i don't know if that would have contributed to the smoking (valve seals???).
one final question:- do these v8's use engine oil and if so what's about normal???
thanks in advance chaps/chapesses for any replies.
all the best, rod.

 

I remember someone else posting about this in the XJ section, not sure which one. Do a search for 'cloud of white smoke'. seriously

I remember reading it was a serious engine issue, a manufacturer's defect. I hope that isn't your issue though, but need to find those threads to be sure.

 

I'm going from "Max" to "Min" on the dipstick in 3000 miles using Mobil 1

 

hi, thanks for the replies chaps. i found the thread relating to the white smoke and it is mooted that it was to do with the nikasil coating, according to my engine number my car is post nikasil though i stand to be corrected.
thanks for the info on the oil consumption i assume that it's a normal/acceptable amount to be consuming.
any other input would be appreciated.

 

White smoke= water... Blown headgasket is my guess and yes, these V-8's do eat oil and typically it's normal if it's just a moderate amount but if it's a large amount you probably are having internal engine troubles and you should start using a different oil. Note: Mobil 1 5W-30 has massive problems with shearing. If you going to use Mobil 1 in the V-8 powered Jags got with at least a 0W-40 or a 5W-50. I run Redline 5W-40 in my XJR and I don't burn a drop...

 

Yes, I would have to agree it's probably a headgasket issue.

These V-8's are typically not known for oil consumption. I also agree with Mobil 1 having shearing issues. My friends 99 XJ8 has 220K miles and does not consume any oil between 5,000 mile oil changes. This is with 10-40 Syntec.

The min marking is too low in these cars. The "R" package has a different dipstick that actually allows for an additional qt of oil. Crank whipping is not issue with these engines as the crank sits pretty well above the oil line in the pan when the standard dipstick is at the max level.

 

hi, excuse my ignorance but what do you mean by "shearing"?.

 

At the risk of over-simplification, shearing is the amount of viscosity an oil may lose during operation. Oil experiences very high stresses in certain areas of the engine such as in the oil pump, cam shaft area , piston rings, and any other areas where two mating surface areas squeeze the oil film out momentarily . Most multigrade oils contain special types of additives, called Viscosity Index Improvers, which are composed of very large, viscosity-controlling molecules. As the oil passes through the engine, these molecules are permanently sheared or torn apart over time, causing the additive to lose its viscosity-contributing advantages which reduces the oils ability to maintain its higher number, for example 30 in 10-30w oil.

 

hi, thanks for the explanation, it makes sense to me now. cheers, rod.