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Ordered the Adamesh Exhaust Stage 1 and 2 kit. Arrived super fast from the UK (faster than (ahem) SNG Barratt can send a simple part).
I've never fitted an exhaust and had to do it on my back. Sucked. Still sore. Passenger side went in relatively easy but the Driver's side was a royal pain. Not sure if I didn't hold my tongue right or what but it took hours to get it lined up correctly. And then more hours.
Working on your back fiddling with exhausts is not on my to-do list anytime soon. Luckily my new-to-me car is super clean so that definitely helped.
Hey folks, I'll likely be posting a few threads about the new-to-me (but not yet arrived) 1999 XK8. So apologies if you're the type who doesn't like reading the same info, but I do search, and trying to put everything in one place.
1: I'm going to do the primary and secondary tensioners, chain, etc. I'm looking on ebay and see there are a ton of sellers of these things. I know enough to get the right set for my year model, but are there any caveats to buying off ebay? Are some of these absolute garbage and not worth it? Are they all pretty much the same? I see some kits come with a waterpump, and the one on this vehicle was done 6k miles ago so probably doesn't need it, but I guess it couldn't hurt.
2: This is a list of parts I believe I need to undertake this:
Timing Chain Kit
Timing Cover Gasket-OuterOuter
Timing Cover Gasket-InnerInner
Water Pump Gasket
Crankshaft Seal-Front
Valve Cover Gasket Set
8 plugs + seals
VVT Solenoid Seal
Is there anything from that list I am missing? Carfax notes that the plugs and coils were replaced at 110k miles, but I guess 8 new plugs isn't going to hurt anything.
3: Here are some of the recent repairs (and mileage) that was completed:
Heater hose(s) replaced
Antifreeze/coolant checked
Intake manifold gasket(s) replaced
Drivability/performance checked
Intake manifold replaced
Transmission replaced
Antifreeze/coolant flushed/changed
(114k miles - 2k miles ago)
The "Transmission replaced" doesn't mean a new transmission apparently - it means that it was dropped when replacing some of these hoses the transmission was removed and replaced. So I am guessing, because I don't see on the carfax, that the transmission fluid should be replaced.
I don't have a lift, and I've read the procedure, so I think that I'd likely have a shop do that for me. it seems pretty complex for a guy laying on his back on a cold unheated garage floor.
I guess I can link to the Carfax so people can see what was done.
Carfax notes it didn't pass CA emissions, but the seller stated that later it did and it was registered.
I'm moving the car to South Carolina and we don't have emissions checked here.
Anything else I should do while I'm in there?
But yeah, mainly looking at the tensioners. I guess I could buy a new radiator while I am in there - not sure how clogged up these get on these cars after this many miles and they aren't that expensive.
Appreciate everyone's time in helping a n00b.
you sound like you know a lot w the auto,,i am very lucky,,have a local shop,does euro,,most are clueless,my rare find 98,,low miles calif rescue ,is down to rather small items im completing to make it 100 percent,,good luck again w yours,,they are wonderful cars
you sound like you know a lot w the auto,,i am very lucky,,have a local shop,does euro,,most are clueless,my rare find 98,,low miles calif rescue ,is down to rather small items im completing to make it 100 percent,,good luck again w yours,,they are wonderful cars
Thanks. I know enough to generally break something else when I get into fixing something, am impatient, messy, but I tend to go head-first into something and fix as much as I can!
The one thing I am good at is following directions, so I'm thankful there's so much information about working on these and how to fix them!
Decided to do the differential fluid. This is all I needed. I understand mine's a coupe and not a convertible so access is easier but it was really easy. Note that the extension is a "wobbly" one because you can't go directly into the plug, you need that tiny bit of wobble to fit the end piece into the plug. A small breaker bar broke it free.
The longest part was sucking the old fluid out - it's definitely thick. Used a cheapo fluid extractor. I have a much better pump to add fluid but it's one-way only. Measured the extracted bit and added the same back in.
Now to replacing the plug - luckily my middle finger fits exactly into the end of the plug and was able to get it to the threads, then eyeballed it being straight and could turn my hand to get a thread or two to catch. Then reached up with two fingers to turn it and ensure it was smooth, added the tool back onto the end and tightened it up.
Did a complete wash, cutting compound, polish, and finally wax job yesterday.
hard to tell in the photos the difference, though you can definitely see it, but in person it's night and day.
Wasn't sure what that white stuff was, or if I would be able to get it out of the clear. It was embedded. Took a lot of correction compound to get it out. After a wash After Cutting compound Cutting, Polish, Wax - this is in my dark garage with only overhead lights but you can almost see the lines in my hand using a cell phone.
Finally able to take it out on a spirited drive (last week I was on travel for work):
Approximately 60 miles, mostly interstate....and at the end: No codes! None. Nada. Nothing. No pending codes either.
Rides really great up to about 72 mph and then shakes horribly, so probably a tire balancing issue so I'll have to take it to get the wheels balanced if I can find a good shop I trust.
Transmission shifts brilliantly - no hard shifts, no hesitations. Used the J gate extensively and love the growl of the Adamesh exhaust.
Ordered a new set of rotors, EBC Redstuff brakes, and the AVO GTZ Front and Rear Coilovers. Went ahead and prepped the car for installation as I wait on the parts and really surprised at how clean this $3700 car really is.
These bushings and everything are in amazing condition. I really wanted to drop the suspension and went back and forth between simple lowering springs or the coilover and finally went in the direction of the coilover.
Adamesh Stage 1 and 2 Exhaust
