Well after many years away I am back! I have a very clean 2003 xk8 being shipped to me soon. Pics soon.

 

Good for you, I just had a 03 shipped to me in HI from CA. Couldn't be happier!

 

And It's good to have you back!

Look forward to the Pics.

 

Welcome back to the fold!

 

here is one pic. Still have to have it shipped to me.

 

Welcome Back brgjag
nice looking cat.

 

ganna need to change my site name. Ha ha ha.

 

it is an 03 model so hopefully as I recall many of the bugs had been worked out? Timing chain tensioner issue not an issue??

 

Hello what are the issue with the 03 models. It has pretty much everything on it (loaded).

 

Just my

You are right, the tensioners are not an issue with the 4.2L. Overall the engine is pretty solid.

Navigation is near worthless, but there are options to repurpose the space for more modern and useful things.

The 6spd trans is more reliable than the older ZF 5spd. Early models have a semi weak spot in a torque converter seal that can cause the clutch to stop locking. Early signs are a rumble strip sort of shudder when cold or the rpm jumping up and down 200rpm. Not always fatal, my car has done this for 20k miles now, I just go easy on it until the trans is warmed up and then it acts fine.

Fuel pumps. It's a single pump in the tank with no return line so the fuel system is very different than the older ones. There are some built in regulators and check valves in the pump that can go bad, letting the fuel drain back when the car isn't running. Symptom is a long crank after the car sits for a while.

CATS shocks. This isn't a weakness exactly (and is the same as older models) but they are silly expensive to replace.

Bushings. This is true of all Jags I think, but the rubber parts disintegrate and you can spend years chasing squeaks, groans and whatever else. If I were doing it over again, I would just replace all of the rubber parts the first day I had the car and be done with it.

 

The 03 has a bigger motor? I did not know that. I do not have nav. I have rain sensing wipes and some type of backup alert system? Xenon (speel) head lights that I recall off the top of my head.
Is the console cup holder still cheap on the later models? I also recall on early models having the possible issue of top lines breaking and leaking. Was that fixed by 2003?

 

Unfortunately no, it was not fixed until the aluminum X150 chassis came out in 2007. Higher quality aftermarket replacements are available now though.

 

And the cupholder is still the same useless POS.

If you've already got the gauges, I'd recommend taking a look at WhiteXKR's Real Gauge product to turn them into actual working gauges rather than glorified idiot lights.

 

While you avoid changing the tensioners and some of the tranny issues, the rest of the nagging issues remain on the "03. But as far as I know they didn't add any new ones! When she arrives I would start with a cooling system pressure test, and a full fluid swap.

 

I knew that the 97/98 computers has issues (my 97 did) is that issue gone in 03?

 

No big problems with electronics although all x100s are somewhat sensitive to having a good battery.

 

Not that mine needs it but has anyone seen or done the Chevy LS1 conversion on these cars? I have seen out there where it is possible now.

 

Yes...search the forum and the web for "Jaguar Specialties" and you'll find it.



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Welcome back! I forget--why did you sell your original one?

Anyway white was my first choice when I was first shopping around for these but they are not all that common.

Doug

 

I was out of work, turns out I was for sometime so we had to get rid of the toys.