I read a few different versions of exactly how much oil my 1998 XK8 4.0 requires.

Doing the oil change on Friday.
Please advise.

Thanks

Many install what the manual says after an oil change and end up overfilling my suggestion is to install 4qts then use the dipstick to get the correct amount installed. I think it is safe to say you should purchase 7qts with a filter. Be sure to check the oil level after your first start.

+1
That way will work even if the original level was too low or too high.

There are several threads on here about just this.
See post #50 in https://www.jaguarforums.com/forum/x...l-57708/page3/

Best advice is to follow what Jaguar recommended back in the day and check the level on flat ground 1 minute after the engine has been turned off, not from cold. The latter will always give a level above the MAX mark suggesting erroneously that it's overfilled.

Steve

This is my dipstick cold engine, sitting overnight.

Your thoughts?

Check it again and if it is the same it is over filled and you should remove the excess the correct level is at the top hole on the stick

I do not do my own oil changes.
However, I am a bit concerned that most local mechanics are NOT as informed about the amount of oil these cars truly require.

The previous owner did the last oil change at a Jaguar dealership.
I'm looking at the service record, and it says that oil and filter @ 8 quarts. That seems consistent with what appears on the dipstick.
I'll start and run for 1 minute then recheck

If i were to drive into my local mechanic and ask for an oil change, what exactly should I instruct him to do?
Car has synthetic oil as well.

To fill it to the fill line on the dipstick.

This is from the XK vehicle care manual:

It is preferable to check the oil level after the vehicle has been standing, that is, with the engine completely cold.

If the engine has been started do not check the oil level until the engine has reached normal operating temperature.
Stop the engine and wait for a minimum of two minutes to allow the oil to drain back into the sump.


I've changed the Oil in my Jag several times, 7 quarts takes it to the full line. (put in 6, check level, put in another 1/2 quart, check, and so forth until it is at the correct level)

Listen to Gus, He knows

Please don't start on Synthetic VS Dino oil.

Aw c'mon, it's been a few weeks. Aren't we due?

Aw lets go. Is the measurement process different if you use Synthetic oil????

Most definitely. The car must be absolutely level when taking a dipstick reading. If it's off in the least, the synthetics in the oil won't stick properly and global warming will ensue.

Best bet to ensure that it's level is to remove the air from the tires and replace it with nitrogen. Not the free stuff either, the $10 per tire stuff. It's much better, everybody says so.

Nitrogen? That's old school. I put Hydrogen in the front tires and Helium in the back tires. Reducing the unsprung weight and achieving a near perfect 50/50 weight distribution.

Still no-one has mentioned the length of their dipstick.

...I'll get me coat.

M

Though in reality this is worthy of mention...there was a replacement program that changed dipstick lengths, as I recall.

any pre-fill the oil filter?

yes good point Burnham. Didn't that add an extra quart?

Mine is a 2000 XK8. Do they all have oil coolers. Because mine takes almost 8 qts.

Yes, as I recall it did, bringing capacity to about 8 quarts with filter change.

Are you saying that the 6.9 recommended is now 8 ?

Not sure how a dipstick affects the required amount. If an engine takes 8 quarts, it takes 8 quarts.