Looking at a 1999 XK8 Convertible
 

I am looking at a 1999 XK8 Convertible with 130,000 miles. Seller says that there may be a Head Gasket Leak. What should I look out for? Is a bad head gasket a typical issue on these cars? Is it a tough fix? I have read that timing belts are a weak point.

The three common problem areas on the XK8 are:

Timing Chains and Tensioners (Tensioners fail)
Cooling System (Water Pump, Thermostat and Thermostat Tower)
ZF Transmission (failure due to lack of fluid changes)

A leaking Head Gasket often turns out to be more serious with warped or cracked heads. The V8 is very susceptible to damage if overheated.

Unless the vehicle is otherwise in very good condition and the price adjusted to reflect the possible big repair bills, I'd suggest passing on this one and looking elsewhere.

Graham

The all aluminum engine is subject to blown head gaskets when overheated. Damage can be more than just the gasket depending on how severe the overheating was.

The engine doesn't have timing belts but chains and originally installed plastic chain tensioners are a critical issue potentially causing the chain to jump teeth on the exhaust cam sprocket. The engine is an 'interference' design meaning that the valves and pistons can attempt to occupy the same space at the same time. Such occurrences are often fatal to the engine.

I would suggest you start with the FAQ sticky above. It has links to almost any question you might come up with.

These cars are wonderful toys but can be deep and wide money pits unless you are fully capable of doing the work yourself. They are best owned by hobby mechanics.

You'd have to get it for free to make up for an engine replacement.

What is the asking price? What exactly are you looking for? How much are you wanting or willing to spend....without having to add XX thousands after you make the buy? Seriously.

By the time you pay for parts, even if you do all the labor yourself, you would be better off getting something working, or working better. If cheap, it would make a great parts car.

Additionally, you should take a look at the going prices of 1999 XK8's on autotrader.com, cars.com, and maybe even completed eBay listings. Put "any distance" on the first two so you can see quite a number of asking prices. Ones in decent condition are relatively cheap.

Does the car currently run? any CEL codes?

I will ask about the codes. It is on Ebay at Buy it Now for $4,500. It is being advertised as a parts car because the previous owner told him that there was an issue with the head gasket. I was actually thinking about offering $2,500 because of the issue. I read the stickies and have seen on the web that there can be issues with the timing chain tensioners. I was going to research if the timing chain issue was an expensive fix and a DIY possibility.

I almost looked at the car when the previous owner was trying to sell it in Macon, Ga. It was at shop then and quite a lot of work had been done, including brakes and I think steering rack, maybe even transmission. It's possible the shop was treating it as a cash cow, until the cow ran dry.
The present owner may well have found out that it needs more than a head gasket and wants out. You can buy a used engine for under $3000 with a one year warranty, so if you buy it cheap enough and do your own work it may be reasonable. But I suspect the present owner feels stuck and wants someone to bail him out for more like $3500.
RJ

I called him today and his bottom dollar is $4,100. A little expensive for the unknowns that the car has.

You are correct. PM/Email sent.

The car has a parts car value of about $3k if that helps. If you are not able to DIY, run away, run away fast!

Thanks all for the advise. If I could have got the deal done for $2,500, I would have done it. The other issue is that is about 10-12 hours away in North Georgia, so I will still lurk around and learn more and keep an eye out for the right one.