2-questions 1- what was mfg;s date for new non-nikisil engines to come out and 2- what was the date to be ale to get the 4.2 engine. This is info I,m interested in for the Jaguar xk8. Thank you. Ed

 

August 2000 was the end of Nikasil. 18/8/2000

2003 MY was the first 4.2 cars.

 

Not sure the reason for your question, but in a car like the XK8 and XKR, owners tend to be very knowledgeable and they may have done engine mods/changes. The Nikasil problem may have even dealt with by the dealer at the time.

If your looking to buy this car, the car history is very important. If you don’t have it, you need to know what to look for. It’s a gamble then. Someone on this Forum even suggested a compression test on the cylinders.

If you’re looking for a reliable powerful fast good value V8 car, I would go for a 2003+ MY Gen3. Maybe supercharged.

However if you’re good with spanners, and enjoy a car that needs work, the AJ26/27 engines are sweet even in earlier Gens. Just be sure sometime that the chain tensioners have been upgraded as previous chain tensioners’ versions were as crumbly as “biscuits”. Those are the words of another knowledgable forum member. As I said, the Car history is important.

Don’t overlook the gear box which is a big ticket item too. Early ones had the ZF 5HP tranny, later switched to a Mercedes 722.6 unit then a ZF6HP unit. At least make sure an ATF change has been done.

The key to this old, beautiful car is whether it has been cared for. If you have proof of this, that the previous owners have looked after the car (beyond just oil and air filter changes) then the engine, and car, you’re looking for, will look after you.

 

Little correction.

4.0 XK8s have the 5HP24
4.0 XKRs have the W5A580 (722.6)
4.2 XK8s and XKRs have the 6HP26

If you wonder if the engine has nikasil: check the engine stamp. If you wonder if it still has earlier tensioners; pull the cam covers.