Hello again,

I must be a complete klutz. I want to remove the engine panels (or covers) so that I can see the area under the thermostat to determine the engine serial number (engine was replaced at one time and our documents were not updated with new number) and confirm that the green tag indicating engine replacement is affixed to the the engine somewhere behind the right head

In any case, how do I get those engine panel off? I usually remove way too much gear when I tackle a job and I do not want to do it in this case and I do not want to force a fastener breaking it in the process

Thanks for your help

P

 

They just pull off. No tools needed.

 

Hi MR,

Thanks for your encouraging news.

So I just have to remove the lines crossing over the panels from their keeper and I should b able to lift those suckers up?


Sounds simple

Thanks

P

 

That's about it.

Note the rubber connector at the Throttle Body end which joins the two covers together.



The two round items below 'Jaguar V8' and the one next to the top hose are the rubber fixing bungs which push onto extended studs below to secure the cover. Same arrangement on the other side.

Graham

 

Thank you Graham,

That is exactly what I needed - a picture is worth a thousand words to me because I always overthink things

Once I get those off - I might have enough confidence to flush the coolant sytem and replace the t'stat

Thanks again to those who help lost souls like me

Preston

 

Preston,

re 'Also drive a 2005 35.5 foot gas engined motorhome pulling a 2003 CRV'

Do you have a pic of this monster?

Graham

 

Here you go Graham - I included my parts MGB for reference. Sort of the big and the small of things

A quick question - using your above picture as reference where exactly is the engine number located?

Preston

 

I can scale that exactly from having owned MGB's - it's enormous!

Engine number is stamped on a raised pad on the top of the cylinder block next to base of the aluminium Thermostat Housing. You should be able to see it with only the LH cover removed but easier with both off.

Here's a drawing of the location:

XK8 - Engine Number.pdf

Early engines have it at the left front top of the block and the later engines are stamped on the left side near the engine mount bracket. Not sure when the location changed.

Graham

 

Thank you Graham - your verbal description led me right to the number - for some reason I had had no success on my previous tries to find it

So the original engine number as indicated by Jaguar is CA9703281234. The number I found today is 9703241450 followed in the second line by 2222222 (6 or seven 2s - it was difficult to count them). I have no idea what the significance of the deuces is.

The engine, according to Jaguar, was replaced in Sep 99 at 16, 221 miles. Based on the engine numbers, the replacement engine was manufactured before the original engine and was probably used when installed under warranty.

I just noticed from the Carfax sheet that the thermostat was replaced in June 08 at 50,179 miles so I should not have to worry about that.

The coolant which I originally thought was yellow and now looks definitely orange was probably changed from green when the engine was changed or when the T'stat was changed.

In any case, my search for more info on this car continues. One of the reasons that I bought the car was because I had been told the engine had been replaced. My findings today probably negate what I thought was a sound reason to buy

Thanks again

Preston

ps yes the motorhome is huge - but with the large mirrors and the rear view camera I find it very easy to move about - reversing is a breeze and I can easily place the rear end within 6" of where I want it. I can not do that with the Jag yet LOL

 

Preston,

You can be right on top of the engine number and not see it unless you know exactly where to look!

The original engine unit came off the line at 12:34 on 28th March 1997 and the currently fitted replacement four days earlier at 14:50 on 24th March 1997. Presumably a warranty change of the Nikalsil build? I've read that Jaguar were rebuilding affected engines with cast bores and putting them back out to dealers for warranty exchanges which would account for the odd timeline. This means you are OK for the cylinder bores but are likely to still have early tensioners unless fitted at a later date.

The later long life coolant looks a dirty orange straightaway when filled fresh and must have been changed when the thermostat was replaced in June 2008.

Graham