Interesting, Ngarara. I note that you're in the UK. I wonder if the same year US and UK models are identical in this regard? Specifically, will a UK 4.2L start if you press the START button before depressing the brake pedal? What about a later model US 5.0L - will it start that way, or do you have to depress the brake pedal first? If you have to depress the brake pedal first, I wonder why the engineers made the change?

 

It looks like I owe Ngararaa beer, cause I bled the braked again, and wouldn't you know the car started right up!!!

Lots of white smoke for the first minute (had squirted some penetrating oil in the cylinders to get them running) then settled down.

runs really nice, idling at about 600 RPM...

No warning lights.

I am a bit nervous about oil pressure. there is no guage, and no way to tell it i have good pressure (except the idiot light, which is ok)

the oil filter and pan are hot. but strangely the oil coolers are not hot at all. read in the shop manual that they may only get flow once the thermostat opens all the way. and I haven't run it long enough cause i am worried about pressure...

anybody know if the oil coolers get fluid all the time, or whether they only get fluid once a certain temperature is reached?

thx for all the help and moral support!

-jg

 

Heh - inspired guess, but it was mostly the way it just turned off when you hit Start in the video.

The idiot-light system is self-checking - if the monitoring sensors don't work, you get a warning. So you're probably fine, but I understand the nervousness! There is bound to be somewhere on the car where you could connect a conventional pressure gauge in the oil lines, but I lack the knowledge. Does the workshop manual give you any hints?

 

jg-

I'm sure you had the same feeling of relief as I had when my wife delivered our first child! Way to go! Reading this thread has been a real cliffhanger! Can't wait to see the video of you driving it for the first time!

Stuart

 

recalled to life...

2008 Jaguar XKR back on the road.... click link below to see the video....

View My Video

 

You deserve to be knighted by her majesty the queen!
Excellent job SIR!

 

Awesome accomplishment.....you should be very proud.

You now have a $40,000+ Jaguar XK Coupe.

You deserve a Phoenix Award

 

A resurrection worthy of Lazarus! This just proves that some "write offs" can be restored to full health, provided you're patient and diligent, even if they're complex modern cars.

Well done mate - I look forward to seeing more pics & vids as the work is completed.

 

Nice one JG, that's a pretty impressive turn around.

 

So it runs fine? it seems the dog approved it...cool video...

 

Congrats good sir!

Thank you for tackling this project and keeping us posted! What an amazing feat!

Vince

 

Great job! I have such project on my to do list as well (I found only 15-18 k damaged XKR's on American sites).
Reading how the engine was not starting, I remember the emotions on the first attempt to start my XJ8 after converting it to LHD , failing because one main connector was not seated properly.

 

Amazing!! Simply amazaing!!! Good job and congratulations. Can't wait to see more!!

 

Congratulations man - great job! Great that all the systems retained their programming...

So, if it's not too rude to ask, how much do you have into your project? Will you have saved a good bit over having just bought one?

I think part of doing this was the adventure of rebuilding such a car.

Will you have a salvage title or will you be able to get a regular title?

 

Good luck. Wish I could help you.

 

How is the job with the car? Is it true that the chassis panels are not welded but glued and riveted?

 

Just found your thread. How's the rebuild going? An impressive project that I wouldn't dare attempt. As they say in England: Best Of British Luck!

 

Just curious but what was the total investment and what did the shell cost?

 

Amazing stuff, keep us updated!

 

congrats-------moving along nicely --nice to see i,m not the only slightly damaged jag lover i have a few ---will keep up with your progress