Hi,

I am looking for the engine identification number for my '97 XK8. I just got a quote for $7218.72 to do
the timing chains and tensioners. Of this $4515.29 was parts from the Jaguar dealer down south .
I can get a timing chain kit on Ebay that includes all the mechanical parts and the gaskets, seals,
bolts, O rings, bolt isolators etc but the supplier wants to know the engine number and I can't find
it. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

 

As you face the engine from the front, it's just to the right of the thermostat tower. You'll probably need a flashlight to see it.

 

Thank you sir. I'll have a look when I get home.

Tom

 

Hi RJ237,

It was to dark by the time I got home to see the numbers clearly but I did sort of see them.
Weekend thing I guess but I did find an engine number in the original warranty and benefits
book. It says Engine No. CA960814 043. Is this the same number as on the block?

Thanks,

Tom

 

Yes, that's the number. Aug. 14, 1996.

 

Hi R237,

Right on. That saves me some searching and squinting.
Thank you for your help. Just out of curiosity, what does
the 043 stand for?

 

At a wild guess, the forty-third engine made that month?

 

I'm not sure, but think it's hour and minute of that day.

 

If you scratch around you may find the missing digit (there should be 4 for the time). Generally of no real significance other than to make the number unique to the day.

 

I thought there was supposed to be four digits but couldn't find a link. Thanks for that.

 

TBH I'd just repeated what I'd read and found as it made sense, so you prompted me to search. It's in the 168 training guide:



I wasn't aware that the s/n moved at the changeover point, so I've learnt something new

 

Ahoj lidi. Jsem další v řadě, kdo neví, jak zjistit číslo motoru. Nechci zakládat další paralelní vlákno, takže s vaším dovolením toto trochu oživím.

​​​​​Už několik dní se snažím rozluštit sériové číslo svého motoru na mém XK8 z roku 1999, abych si mohl objednat správné sekundární napínáky. Bohužel videa "Jak zjistit číslo motoru" z odkazů zde na fóru v mém případě nefungovala. U vodní pumpy je dokonce plech, který na jiných XK8 na fotkách a videích nevidím a brání ve výhledu. Tak byl někdo v motoru? Pokus vyčíst číslo motoru z dokumentace, kterou jsem k autu dostal, mě také nikam nedostal. Spíše naopak! Moje otazníky přibyly!

Díky dvěma VINům (USA VIN a tovární Jaguar VIN) byla českými úřady vydána rozsáhlá dokumentace v rámci zpětného dovozu a následného schválení k provozu a registraci v ČR, což mě ještě více mate. Přikládám obrázek. Číslo motoru je v dokumentu uvedeno dvakrát. Jakmile bude jasno. 1. února 1999. Ale v dalším řádku je číslo motoru v jiném tvaru a s datem 18. září 2003. A tomu nerozumím. Byl měněn motor? Where and why? Jen v USA v ČR na auto kromě běžného servisu nesáhli. Takže dokud nenajdu skutečné číslo přímo na bloku motoru, tak to nevzdám. co si o tom myslíš?
Děkuji moc za trpělivost...A omlouvám se za mou angličtinu Google. Mluvím pouze česky a německy.
Cyrila.

 

Google English translation:
"
Hello guys. I'm the next in line who doesn't know how to find out the engine number. I don't want to start another parallel thread, so with your permission I'll liven this up a bit.

​​​​​​For several days now I have been trying to decipher my engine serial number on my 1999 XK8 so I can order the correct secondary tensioners. Unfortunately, the videos "How to find out the engine number" from the links here on the forum did not work in my case. There is even a metal plate near the water pump, which I do not see on other XK8s in photos and videos and obstructs the view. So was anyone in the engine? Trying to read the engine number from the documentation I received for the car also got me nowhere. Quite the contrary! My question marks have increased!

Thanks to two VINs (USA VIN and factory Jaguar VIN), extensive documentation was issued by the Czech authorities as part of the re-import and subsequent approval for operation and registration in the Czech Republic, which confuses me even more. I am attaching a picture. The engine number is listed twice in the document. As soon as it's clear. February 1, 1999. But the next line has the engine number in a different format and with the date September 18, 2003. And I don't understand that. Has the engine been changed? Where and why? Only in the USA, in the Czech Republic, they did not touch the car except for regular service. So until I find the actual number right on the engine block, I won't give up. what do you think about it?
Thank you so much for your patience...And sorry for my google english. I only speak Czech and German.
Cyril.
"

Cyril,
The engine has been replaced:- possibly tensioner or Nikasil failure. If you don't have an issue with the car's documentation, then I wouldn't worry.

The replacement engine will have its original number on the RHS of the thermostat tower here:



Does the plate you mention look like this one?:

 

This morning I crawled into the mounting pit under the car and finally discovered the engine serial number!
It is indeed on the left side of the engine as the various instructional videos show!
See my photo!
But I couldn't find the number or any other label around the thermostat tower.
Glad to have (hopefully) solved the turnbuckles and Nicasil issue.
I remember the previous owner saying they had the valve covers removed in the past and the tensioners were said to be orange. So second generation turnbuckles? Unfortunately, he cannot find the photos.
I'm about to replace the thermostat tower, so I'd better check the tensioners as well.
Michael, thanks for the reply that confirmed the theory that I have a new engine in the car!
I wasn't sure it was a "new" engine because I read in another forum thread that various XK8 engines don't communicate with ECUs and other units on other model year XK8s.
Hezký den všem

!

 

Cyril,
Please put your text through the Czech to English translator before posting it as you are more likely to receive a response on an English-speaking forum.

Google translate:
"
This morning I crawled into the assembly pit under the car and finally found the serial number of the engine! It is indeed on the left side of the engine, as shown in the instructional video! See my photo! But I couldn't find the number or other label around the thermostat tower. I'm glad I (hopefully) solved both the turnbuckles and the Nicasil problem. I remember that the previous owner said that he had removed the valve covers in the past and the tensioners were orange. So the second-generation tensioners? Unfortunately, I can't find the photos. I'm going to replace the thermostat tower, so I'd better check the tensioners as well. Michael, thank you for your answer, which confirmed the theory that I have a new engine in my car! I wasn't sure it was a "new" engine, as I read in another forum thread that different XK8 engines don't communicate with ECUs and other units on a different model year XK8. Have a nice day everyone
"
Strange.
Your engine block is dated 9th April 2003 (030409 0455), which means it is from a 4.2L engine, not a 4.0L that your car originally had.

Either:
1) someone has installed an engine built from parts or;
2) it has had a 4.2L engine fitted. Not impossible, but requires other 4.2L parts to be installed at the same time (ECM, etc...)

If it is a full 4.2L, then it will already have 3rd gen tensioners and steel cylinder liners, but the only sure way to tell about the tensioners is to lift a cam cover and check. The RHS one is easier as you don't have to deal with the dipstick.

Since all this work appears to have happened 20+ years ago I would be curious, like you, but not concerned.

 

Thank you Michael.
I always enter the text in English, but the Macbook may be able to convert it back to Czech before it goes to the server. Thanks for the info, I'll keep an eye on it.
Regarding the version of the engine volume (4.0 and 4.2), I have been puzzling over this question all day. I wanted to order an aluminum thermostat housing, but all the descriptions on e-shops end with the engine year 2002. Some cars in the offers on the Internet are also 4.0 liters from 2003. However, most of the offers state the date of commissioning, which is not the date of manufacture of the engine.
I don't know if I should continue this thread so I don't needlessly weed it. We already found the engine number...what next? Is there an answer to why I have a 4.2 engine block in a 4.0 engine? Maybe I'll start a new thread. There are probably not many cars like this in the world. Thanks for understanding..
The engine looks like a normal 4.0.

 

The REMAN engine is likely a 4,0
A Jaguar REMAN engine should have the green tag (as shown) and just because the REMAN date is later than the change point of 4.0 to 4.2 does not mean that Jaguar upgraded it to the larger engine. (it was NOT designed for that car and Jaguar would not authorize mismatch replacement)

I'm sure Jaguar had a bunch of 4.0 cores left over from early builds for warranty replacement.(like that scenario)

If it is a true replacement engine from 2003, it will have Morse-style chains, new tensioners and different oil pump/upper sump and everything a 2003 4.0 engine came with.(2003MY XJ sedans were still equipped with 4.0 engines until the X350 was introduced)

Congratulations on the replacement engine.

 

Thanks, Bob.
Doh! - I was thinking about that last night and what you say makes much more sense...

@Cyrilmoto - Apologies for leading you off-track:- you can go ahead and order your new [Aluminium] thermostat tower for a 4.0L engine. Change the bypass hose
(NCA2213AC) while you're in there as it is badly swollen.

 

Thank you Bob and Michael for your help with the identification!
When I wanted to order the tower and gasket, the e-shop system of the seller in Austria asks me for the exact identification of the engine (year of manufacture/AJ26 AJ27), which I do not know. So I remove the right valve cover and check the tensioners. So maybe I'll determine what engine I have in the car.