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What is the recommended oil weight and brand to use in these car's? I just got it running, so I would like to change the oil and filter. Not even sure where the filter is located.
Best oil brand and oil weight, and also filter to use for my car?
5W30 is the universal right answer. And the oil filter is right next to the oil drain plug. It's about the easiest car in the universe to do an oil/filter change.
..... Not even sure where the filter is located. .....
The filter is slightly above the alternator cooling duct (arrowed in red). There's a black plastic extension on this duct (often missing) which has to be removed (1 hex bolt) to be able to reach the filter. Filter rotates anti-clockwise to remove. Should undo by hand unless some gorilla has fitted it.
Drain plug is at the corner on the side arrowed in green. Jaguar recommend replacement at every oil change. I'm sure I've read a post from a US member advising on a source of rubber "O" rings instead of buying the whole plug.
The filters are not always available at the auto chain stores, so I order mine online from Rock Auto, and get a Mahle OC 602. Just to chime in, I use 5w-30 and the level always stays right between the full and add marks after 120K miles.
Last edited by JimmyL; Feb 1, 2021 at 10:14 AM.
Reason: formatting
The filters are not always available at the auto chain stores, so I order mine online from Rock Auto, and get a Mahle OC 602. ......
That reminds me about the oil filter. Jaguar OE filter has a non-return valve to assist in rapid oil presssure build up from a cold start. Several aftermarket filters will physically fit but make sure you get one with a non-return valve.
The non-return valve is not as technical as it may sound. It's a plastic flap that prevents oil draining back out of the filter so it doesn't need to fill again on starting before delivering oil to bearings etc.
We purchased my wife's 2006 XK8 in early February 2012 at 36,000 miles. I have always run Castrol 5W-30 conventional oil with the appropriate Purolator oil filter in this car. It gets an oil & filter change every 6,000 miles along with a 20-ounce bottle of Chevron Techron down the fuel filler hatch. Now at 121,600 miles and no engine or oil-related issues....
I have a '99XK8 98,000mi. I use Mobile 1 10w-40 for engines over 75,000mi, with an OEM filter. I live in Southwest Ct and have no problem with starting in cold weather and very little oil consumption. The advice that GGG gave about the non-return valve filter is very important. If the engine manufacturer didn't think it necessary they wouldn't have done it. Other filters may work fine, but in this case I'll stick with the OEM filter.
Safe Driving and all the best with the new care.
Mitch
From: Somewhere south of Grand Rapids, Michigan, USA
Just out of curiosity, what part of Montana do you live in? I'm sure some of you are wondering what this has to do with oil, but bear with me. Do you plan on driving the Jag in the winter? I still have family out there and posed the "what oil" question to them and the universal answer was Mobil 0W-30 synthetic.
I lived on the family ranch in northeastern Montana for years and winter temps can be brutal. -40f was not uncommon and my winter car had both a block and tank heater as oil just plain doesn't like those temps and gasoline doesnt vaporize real well...I'd bet fuel injected engines are better at firing up than my old 4bbl.
As a side note completely off topic, back in the mid 70's, the diesel tractor I used to feed the range cattle with had a block heater, a tank heater and dual battery heaters. I'd still have to use the built in ether inject system to fire that beast up.
I live in Great Falls (Central Montana). I have been all over the state, though. I will not be driving this car in the Winter's. I have several other rides to drive when the weather is bad. I did drive the car for a bit, as I am in an area that is like a Banana Belt in the Winter's. We just started getting snowed out last week.
That reminds me about the oil filter. Jaguar OE filter has a non-return valve to assist in rapid oil presssure build up from a cold start. Several aftermarket filters will physically fit but make sure you get one with a non-return valve.
Great point, Graham!
Mann and Mahle are OEMs of Jaguar filters, and Mann confirms in its catalog that its filters include both a non-return/check/anti-drain-back valve to keep the filter full of oil when the engine is shut off, and a bypass valve to allow oil to flow even if the filtration media were to become obstructed.
If you compare the Mann+Hummel and Mahle/Clevite filters to a Jaguar-branded filter it will be obvious that Mann and Mahle make the Jaguar filters.
Note that the Mahle OC 602 filter that JimmyL mentioned is correct for the 4.2L cars, but Mahle specifies its OC 323 for the 4.0L cars. Mann specifies its W719/7 for both the 4.0L and 4.2L engines.
I do not know if Purolator filters that were mentioned include non-return and bypass valves.
From: Somewhere south of Grand Rapids, Michigan, USA
Originally Posted by Don B
Great point, Graham!
Mann and Mahle are OEMs of Jaguar filters, and Mann confirms in its catalog that its filters include both a non-return or check valve to keep the filter full of oil when the engine is shut off, and a bypass valve to allow oil to flow even if the filtration media were to become obstructed.
If you compare the Mann+Hummel and Mahle/Clevite filters to a Jaguar-branded filter it will be obvious that Mann and Mahle make the Jaguar filters.
Note that the Mahle OC 602 filter that JimmyL mentioned is correct for the 4.2L cars, but Mahle specifies its OC 323 for the 4.0L cars. Mann specifies its W719/7 for both the 4.0L and 4.2L engines.
I do not know if Purolator filters that were mentioned include non-return and bypass valves.
Cheers,
Don
For what it's worth, the filter that fits my XK8 4.0L and according to the Purolator site, the filter has relief valve and an anti drain valve.
OIL FILTER
PurolatorONE™
Advanced protection up to 10,000 miles
PL15317 APPLICATIONS V8 4.0L, F.I., (VIN 2), 32V SPEC DATA Threads 1-12 O.D. 2.99 Height 4.69 Weight 8.3 Flute count 14 Relief Valve P.S.I. 15 Type of Filter Spin-on Thread Pitch UNF-2B Anti-Drain Valve Yes
Do yourself a big favor on your first oil change. Remove the drain plug and throw it in the trash, where it belongs.
Install a Fumoto drain valve. I rarely promote any product or service but this one I will always recommend.
They have different types of valves that will fit, with a nipple for a hose or without, and I think some discharge at an angle.
When draining the oil, it doesn't go from nothing to max flow and splash all over the place. You have total control of flow.
I have the basic valve without a nipple and I love it.
All of my vehicles have had these for years with no problems and many instances of patting myself on the back for installing these.
Anyway, go to the website and select one.
You will not regret it. Fumoto® USA | Quick and Easy Engine Oil Drain Valves
I also have a Fumoto valve installed, one with the nipple, which allows me to easily attach a hose leading to my drain pan. The nipple extension is not as low as the oil cooler and it’s framework, so no worries about it getting hit.
oil changes are much easier / cleaner now. Great product.
Fumoto F106N FN-Series Drain Valve with Long Nipple with Lever Clip
My first oil change for my 1998 XK8
