I am having an issue that I can't seem to solve so I called my normal shop and 6 others, they all say they will no longer work on XK8, at least a 99 XK8 which is what I asked for. They say it is so hard to get parts they just don't want to start a project that they may not be able to finish. Atlanta has one of the best used parts stores for Jags in the country (Coventry West) but I guess that is not good enough and they don't want to send modules out for rebuilds. The shops I called were all Europe and British specialty shops. I finally found one that will look at my problem, I hope they have the right person to figure out my bug.

Is anyone else having this issue?

 

Have you contacted Enzo's Atlanta? They have been Jag experts for decades.
Enzo's Automotive Service – Atlanta Jaguar, Land Rover, Ferrari, & Maserati Repair and Service

 

Anyone who says these kinds of things,,, THEY are MORE the ones to worry about. I have less and less faith in a GREAT majority or mechanics as time goes on. What a punk set of things to say. That's just me
Especially in this day and age, in a major US city no less. Maybe they don't know how to work a computer?

 

I would say the opposite, that they only know how to use a computer. In newer cars, you just need to plug in an OBDII scanner and it will tell you what the problem is. The old process of listening and a test drive isn't done because mechanics don't know what sounds mean. My dad has a 2012 Expedition that was making a squeak that matched the tachometer, dealership said it was the power steering fluid being low. The squeak still persisted and the dealership said they didn't know. I looked under the truck and the pulley on the tensioner broke so it was rubbing on the engine. Took me 5 minutes to diagnose the problem with a minimal mechanic background that the dealership couldn't diagnose.

 

more money in other cars

it costs them money to learn on yours

 

A garage that won't work on an XK8 isn't a garage ever worth giving work to for any car.

 

If only it were that easy . This forum would see little traffic if every problem could be diagnosed by a scanner. Every fault code gives a starting point for diagnosing a repair. Rarely is that a straight line to resolving the issue..


Z

 

I hear ya, I hear ya - I was talking more about looking for and finding the parts. Anyways,,,

what Z said... I agree with that. I wish (for the codes my cars throw) that a code was like BAM, problem solved. But as we see, in many many posts and threads here, it's where the hunt begins. Not always is an issue killed just by knowing the code... Especially with some of the no crank no start stuff that's been coming up recently.... What's up with the surge? Anyways,,,

These cars ain't that complicated. Pro Mechanics that get all afraid of a car,,,, and pass like that. I've been so very disappointed in mechanics around my parts...

 

I've had this problem. Most places don't want to be bothered with a (semi) old Jaguar, and the ones that will, think they can keep the car for as long as it takes them to figure out what the issue is, and then charge an arm and a leg if they ever do figure it out. I've actually had to say, "forget it" and go pick up the car and do the job myself - that was the one time my car saw the inside of a shop.

 

Most of the Newer Jaguar Dealers will not let anything less than a 2007 XK8 in their Shop....and some of them will tell you "Where to GO" in a hurry!

Billy Clyde @ Cinco Ranch

 

Did you have any luck asking the folks at 'Coventry' for a recommendation? I lived in ATL years ago. Plenty on garages then, but that was then. Check with some of the parts dealers(AutoZone, PepBoys O Reilly's etc.). Sometimes independent mechs will list with them. I's lucky here in S.W. Fla. Have a mech that will work on old cars and new ones. Reasonably priced also.

 

What is it you are having problems with other than finding a mechanic?

Gus
JagRepair.com - Jaguar Repair Information Resource

 

I did and they would not work on a 99 either, I was shocked.

 

It is a Top issue. I replaced the rear regulator and when I did it I had to manually open and close the tops a few times. Now the sequence or something is totally messed up. At first it was not fully completing the sequence now it has completely stopped responding to the up and down button. I have tried going through a bunch of the troubleshooting including resetting the computer, switching the relays, testing the fuse, putting it up and down manually 6 times, pushing it hard to make sure it is fully open I tried to follow the steps of tech bulletin 501-11 but it got a bit complicated. It is beyond frustrating.

 

Did you perform a hard reset on the car?

Gus
JagRepair.com - Jaguar Repair Information Resource

 

I agree that good shops that will work on these cars are hard to find. I found a shop near me that works on a wide variety of cars, but specializes in performance work on Subaru. They didn't blink when I started bring in my cars which range in age from 2000 to 2006. They usually get the problem the first time, but stand behind their work if there's a problem.
My point is that a good shop is a good shop, make of car notwithstanding.

 

max224,

There are several shops in the Houston area that will work on the XKR but only 2 or 3 that specialize in them! The one I've been using over the years can do just about anything and has done just about everything to my XKR. They completely rebuilt the Engine several years ago...Back in the Smoking Days and recently when the Head Bolts pulled out of the Head...Blowing almost all the Hoses, Radiator, Water Pump and Head Gaskets. They were able to Heli-Coil the Bolts and it is running nicely again! I don't know if I could have found anyone but them to do the work!

There are a couple of Shops here in Houston like that but without them, I would have to go to Hennessey's out in Sealy, TX and they would want to completely rebuild almost everything! and charge me $25,000. or $30,000. Bucks'! ..That is if I could get them to work on it!

Billy Clyde @ Cinco Ranch

 

There are a couple of good Jaguar indie shops here in central North Carolina. The issue with them is the length of their current backlog. Flying Circus English Cars in Durham has a 4 to 5 month backlog. Eurobahn in Greensboro may be a more appealing option right now with a 1 month backlog. I would bet that some North Carolina XK8/XKR owners who prefer not to DIY their maintenance and repairs are now doing so as a result....

 

Scott, I believe Enzo's has decided to specialize in V12 and early I6 cars, but probably more to the point, Ferrari, Maserati, Lamborghini. If you can't find help I would be willing to take a look. I do have the Launch X431 pros mini software, which is very comprehensive, and I have dealt with top problems. But I am not a professional.
RJ

 

Much to my disappointment, I am finding the same problem, even with repair stores that specialize in foreign. I got all the parts together (it took 4 months) but now no mechanic. "But it's just a Ford V-8" I keep saying. *sigh*