I was just told It was going to cost me $5,000.00 to replace the timing belt and head gasket....does this sound right?

 

I would be suspicious of this diagnosis...your engine does not have a timing belt.

Can you share some history of your problem with us?

 

My Jag started really blowing white smoke so I shut it down last November. Now have taken it to a Jaguar specialist who only does Jaguars and has been doing it for 20 years. I have gone to him for the past several years and, to date has done a good job. I am not sure what the car is worth in the condition it is in now and don't want to spend more than it is worth. He says it needs a new engine.

 

I just replaced the engine in my 98 XK8. It cost me $4800 when all was said and done. This included a crapload of other stuff done to the car too, search my posts and check the head gasket thread for details.

 

I'm confused... did he say it was going to cost $5000 for a head gasket and non-existent timing belt, or did he say it was $5000 for a whole engine?

By the way, your Jag uses a timing chain, not a belt. Your model year has a common problem where a plastic piece that keeps the timing chain taught breaks. When that happens the car will not run. And if you try to run the engine the pistons slam into the valves, breaking them and requiring an engine replacement.

With white smoke you might have a cracked block, although it could be a gasket. There's a big difference in price between the labor and materials to replace an engine the the labor and materials to replace a gasket.

 

Thinking back he did say timing chain and was talking about replacment because of "enging clatter" he called it. I have asked him for a specific list of work and associated costs. The funny thing, when I had it to him last October there was intermittent smoke and he ran the Jaguar diagnostic computer analysis and said the engine tested out sound. When I got it back from him it was fine for about three weeks then really started smoking....That's when I shut it down.

 

And, in October, when it went to him he could not get it to smoke.

 

I will sell you my 97 with all the repairs you may be looking at all done. HE HE HE
1997 Jaguar XK8

 

Uncle Frosty:

I think you have some reading assignments in the FAQ section of the XK8 section specifically dealing with camshaft tensioners, etc.

The penalty for not being an informed owner when you have a engine problem costs you big $. When it comes to mechanics, you should be very defensive and know something about these cars.

You can get a used motor for $2500, but it's got to be inspected for the proper tensioners, water pump, thermostat housing, worn serpentine belts, belt tensioners, new radiator hoses spark plugs. It's kind'a like opening up a can of worms.