It's a whole story, you can read here https://www.jaguarforums.com/forum/x...verfill-57708/

 

Because the new dipstick moved the goal posts.

 

And the oil pan has the volume to accept another quart without unhappy consequences, per Jaguar's recommendation...which the new dipstick then accurate measures for.

 

The original oil refill capacity was listed as 6.9 qts, however that has been revised to 7.9 and a revised oil dip stick was at one time offered. That dip stick has been discontinued but you can still fill the the increased capacity.

 

once the oil is hot it drains back into the sump rather quickly. a minute or two after shutdown gives the same reading as cold, sitting overnight. i checked this and the two readings are exactly the same. on my 2001, perfectly level with oil filter change the capacity is 7.5. dumping in all 8 quarts leaves just slightly above the full mark which does not matter as there is plenty of room in the sump. if anyone is filling with less than this amount, then it is obvious that all of the oil is not draining out and/or the car is not level. if you jack up the front of the car, all of the old oil is not going to drain out. the nice thing about this car is that with the correct drain pan it is not even necessary to jack it up.

 

Many Many years ago I had a co-worker whose new car kept leaking oil. After quite a few trips to the dealer and leaving it for service several times the problem was finally found to be a defective dipstick that was too short.

 

I just had my Oil changed about an hour ago.....It took 8 Quarts with the new Filter ...It's a 4.2 Supercharged 2005 XKR...I've had it for lots of years and it still holds 8 Quarts....So by that, I think it's safe to say, "My XKR holds 8 quarts of Mobil-One Oil" and that's all I have to say about that! Now Please don't start about Mobil-One not being as good as your Pennzoil or some other Brand.....OK?

Billy Clyde in Houston

 

BCP,

….. but what about the length of your dip stick? LOL!

 

I had just replaced my oil pan gasket and oil filter, completely drained the engine of oil. I added 7 quarts of oil back to the engine and was still quite low on the dipstick.

I had been pondering why this might be, funny I should run along a thread explaining that I am not the only one having to put in a bit more oil than I had originally been expecting to get it up to the full line.

 

I also run exactly 8 quarts of oil in my wife's 2006 XK8. I believe the official published capacity is 8.2 quarts, but 8 quarts always measures to the "full" hole on the dipstick so that is where I keep it. Now at 120,300 miles, this 4.2 engine still burns no oil whatsoever between my 6,000-mile oil & filter changes....

 

I haven't had enough time of the engine running to really know whether mine burns any, but since I had the transmission out I noticed that it had a leaking casting plug and rear main seal.

I am having trouble getting the rear main seal to stop seeping oil. It might be that I installed it poorly and the only way to get it to seal properly is to use standard oil, and probably a heavier weight.

Worst comes to worst, I will have to pull the tranny again and get someone more skilled in installing the rear main seal to do it next time. Every pass through seal I have ever installed in an engine or transmission has leaked, go figure.

 

Yep, the problem with synthetic oil in older vehicles is that it can seep past seals and gaskets that still manage to fully contain conventional oil. I have read about numerous situations where an owner decided to switch to synthetic oil in an older vehicle, then quickly experienced various leaks after doing so. Switching back to conventional oil usually solves the issue....

Our only vehicle running synthetic oil is my wife's 2015 Lexus RX350 (her current daily driver). To keep the drivetrain warranty intact, Lexus requires full synthetic 0W-20 oil in that engine....

I run conventional 5W-30 oil in my wife's 2006 XK8 and also in my 2013 Subaru Outback 3.6R. I run conventional 10W-30 oil in my 1999 Dodge Ram 5.9 V8....

 

It is on the to-do list to swap to a conventional oil and see if that swells the seals enough to stop the leak.

IF the car does better with the heavier weight conventional oil, i can't see how it would hurt, then this is both the newest and only car that I have ever owned that had seals that weren't dry as a bone with full synthetic. To be completely honest, i just don't think the build quality on these cars are all that great. They feel like they were built in a way where every corner that could be cut, was.

 

Be aware that the old theory that synthetic oil will seep out around seals is not true.
It started when synthetic first came out and it had an ester balance issue.
This was quickly solved and synthetic no longer damages seals.
It is also not true that synthetic oil is slicker than conventional oil.
Synthetic oil is more stable at high temps than conventional oil. This is where the difference is and is why it last so much longer.

 

^^ Sorry, but I am not taking any chances. Our XK8, Outback, and Ram will continue to run conventional oil for as long as we own them....

 

Hahaha

Add oil slowly, and check the dipstick....

Y'all should see this thread about orange coolant, lol... It goes on and on and oooon.... https://rennlist.com/forums/928-foru...y-forever.html

Lately,,, I will ONLY go there to research and read. It's no fun there, a pretty nasty 'culture' prevading that forum, IMHO...

 

@JayJagJay Yeah I am doing so, this is just the first engine I have had to go back to the store a couple times to buy more oil. It just keeps taking more and more oil past the amount it is prescribed.

 

I've read this thread with great interest because I've only owned my XK8 for about 6 weeks and I planned on changing the oil this weekend. Sounds like 7.5 to 8 qts. is the sweet spot and then check the dipstick. The one comment above regarding, in his opinion, the inferior build quality of the XK8's struck me as odd because my 23 year car is in remarkable condition and virtually everything works with "like-new" precision which is incredible. Every light, gauge, switch, and electronic gadget works perfectly after 71,000 miles so I certainly have no beef about build quality whatsoever. At least so far. I probably just jinxed myself and something major will fail, but for now, I'm super impressed with the build quality.

 

Lolololololololol,,,,,
I wasn't gonna say it,,,, hahahaha

Naw, really. I agree with you. And when I have a problem with the xk8, sometimes I have to stop myself and think,,,, well what does ones EXPECT from a 20 yr old car with 210K on the clock? Like you at 70K most everything works. All the little bells and whistles... Yes, some problems of her age (and mistakes I've made) but the engine is STRONG quite and smooooth. Some suspension stuff, stuff Incan and will fix,,,,

Anyways, I agree with you and the perspective you hold for the age and miles...

 

David,
I want you to know that my Dip Stick is just long enough to do the job at hand!

Thank you very much!
Billy Clyde