My XK8
#1
07-06-2009, 12:35 PM
Guest
Posts: n/a
My XK8
Hello everyone!
As I'm completely new to this forum i will give a small introduction:
Since I'm driving cars I've always wanted to have a sportscar. 6 years later, after browsing the net and saving up money it was time! Last week I bought myself a Jaguar XK8 from 1997! I instantly fell for it when i saw it and love to drive it. Puts a smile on my face everytime I get in it. I'm still quite young, and im looking even younger so the reactions are legendary! Especialy because there aren't that many jags around in the Netherlands.
About the car:
After I bought it I immediately replaced some crucial engine components; Upgraded the chain tensioners, spark plugs, waterpump, valve seals. Has also a new battery, radiator, fresh new oil, tires, brakepads, tires... So that's as good to go.
However, there are some issues with the interior.
- The Air Conditioning is not working properly. When the engine is hot there is basicly hot air coming trough the vents (also when the engine is not heated up but i have the feeling that there is some intermittent cool air then).
- The right, wooden dashboard is cracked (its just the paint). I've checked on ebay to replace it but ofcourse the english dashboard is different compared to ours, to bad!
- It does not have a cd player. Ive seen some cd players (exchangers) which seems to be a loose casset. How does this work? Does that go back in the boot?
And now the most important:
- The airbags once got deployed (hence the damage on the right dashboard). The airbags never got replaced but the casset with the empty airbag is still there. But the problem is that all functions on the steering wheel are not working. The horn, radio control, cruise control etc. Does anyone have an idea how to solve that problem? I hope its just some wire issues. But before im going to remove covers around the steering wheel i want to know what im doing
.
Any help, suggestions are welcome. Would be much appreciated!
Thanks in advance!!
Regards,
******.
Oh Ive added a picture of the beauty
As I'm completely new to this forum i will give a small introduction:
Since I'm driving cars I've always wanted to have a sportscar. 6 years later, after browsing the net and saving up money it was time! Last week I bought myself a Jaguar XK8 from 1997! I instantly fell for it when i saw it and love to drive it. Puts a smile on my face everytime I get in it. I'm still quite young, and im looking even younger so the reactions are legendary! Especialy because there aren't that many jags around in the Netherlands.
About the car:
After I bought it I immediately replaced some crucial engine components; Upgraded the chain tensioners, spark plugs, waterpump, valve seals. Has also a new battery, radiator, fresh new oil, tires, brakepads, tires... So that's as good to go.
However, there are some issues with the interior.
- The Air Conditioning is not working properly. When the engine is hot there is basicly hot air coming trough the vents (also when the engine is not heated up but i have the feeling that there is some intermittent cool air then).
- The right, wooden dashboard is cracked (its just the paint). I've checked on ebay to replace it but ofcourse the english dashboard is different compared to ours, to bad!
- It does not have a cd player. Ive seen some cd players (exchangers) which seems to be a loose casset. How does this work? Does that go back in the boot?
And now the most important:
- The airbags once got deployed (hence the damage on the right dashboard). The airbags never got replaced but the casset with the empty airbag is still there. But the problem is that all functions on the steering wheel are not working. The horn, radio control, cruise control etc. Does anyone have an idea how to solve that problem? I hope its just some wire issues. But before im going to remove covers around the steering wheel i want to know what im doing
. Any help, suggestions are welcome. Would be much appreciated!
Thanks in advance!!
Regards,
******.
Oh Ive added a picture of the beauty
Last edited by Snatch; 07-06-2009 at 12:39 PM.
#4
07-07-2009, 09:00 AM
Veteran Member
Welcome to the forum. Your car looks great. I'm from a small town (<5000 people) and its great to see the looks I get, many have never seen one of these cars. I'm young too (25) and the only downside is that some people who don't know me or the depreciating value of these cars assume I'm one of the local drug dealers.
Enough about me, and on to you. If you want to get the dash trim to match perfectly, then you will have to contact Jaguar to get some of the original wood they kept when your car was made (since the veneer would vary slightly from tree to tree, Jaguar saves some from each car for cases like yours) If you just want something close enough, check out ebay for other countries besides the UK (that way you can get the proper LHD dash piece) you may pay more but still would be significantly less than from Jaguar. Keep searching the forum too, I'm fairly sure I found a link here to another manufacturer for wooden dash trim (I was looking at an XK8 with cracked veneer also, but passed on it)
The orignal CD changer for these cars is in the trunk. A sort of case with 6 trays pops out for the CDs to fit into. You can go aftermarket and change the head unit in the dash, but it seems like this is more difficult for this vehicle. I will admit I haven't looked into the aftermarket approach much.
Enough about me, and on to you. If you want to get the dash trim to match perfectly, then you will have to contact Jaguar to get some of the original wood they kept when your car was made (since the veneer would vary slightly from tree to tree, Jaguar saves some from each car for cases like yours) If you just want something close enough, check out ebay for other countries besides the UK (that way you can get the proper LHD dash piece) you may pay more but still would be significantly less than from Jaguar. Keep searching the forum too, I'm fairly sure I found a link here to another manufacturer for wooden dash trim (I was looking at an XK8 with cracked veneer also, but passed on it)
The orignal CD changer for these cars is in the trunk. A sort of case with 6 trays pops out for the CDs to fit into. You can go aftermarket and change the head unit in the dash, but it seems like this is more difficult for this vehicle. I will admit I haven't looked into the aftermarket approach much.
#5
07-07-2009, 04:04 PM
Guest
Posts: n/a
Thanks a lot Westra! Cheers for the advise too.
I'll keep the CD changer in mind there! Today someone suggested to get a tape (cassette) with a wire which makes it possible to attach to your MP3 player. I'll have a go at that tomorrow and see if thats working properly. Meantime I'll hunt for some CD changers!
Regards,
Tony.
I'll keep the CD changer in mind there! Today someone suggested to get a tape (cassette) with a wire which makes it possible to attach to your MP3 player. I'll have a go at that tomorrow and see if thats working properly. Meantime I'll hunt for some CD changers!
Regards,
Tony.
#6
07-07-2009, 05:27 PM
Veteran Member
Welcome to the forum. Your car looks great. I'm from a small town (<5000 people) and its great to see the looks I get, many have never seen one of these cars. I'm young too (25) and the only downside is that some people who don't know me or the depreciating value of these cars assume I'm one of the local drug dealers.
Enough about me, and on to you. If you want to get the dash trim to match perfectly, then you will have to contact Jaguar to get some of the original wood they kept when your car was made (since the veneer would vary slightly from tree to tree, Jaguar saves some from each car for cases like yours) If you just want something close enough, check out ebay for other countries besides the UK (that way you can get the proper LHD dash piece) you may pay more but still would be significantly less than from Jaguar. Keep searching the forum too, I'm fairly sure I found a link here to another manufacturer for wooden dash trim (I was looking at an XK8 with cracked veneer also, but passed on it)
The orignal CD changer for these cars is in the trunk. A sort of case with 6 trays pops out for the CDs to fit into. You can go aftermarket and change the head unit in the dash, but it seems like this is more difficult for this vehicle. I will admit I haven't looked into the aftermarket approach much.
Enough about me, and on to you. If you want to get the dash trim to match perfectly, then you will have to contact Jaguar to get some of the original wood they kept when your car was made (since the veneer would vary slightly from tree to tree, Jaguar saves some from each car for cases like yours) If you just want something close enough, check out ebay for other countries besides the UK (that way you can get the proper LHD dash piece) you may pay more but still would be significantly less than from Jaguar. Keep searching the forum too, I'm fairly sure I found a link here to another manufacturer for wooden dash trim (I was looking at an XK8 with cracked veneer also, but passed on it)
The orignal CD changer for these cars is in the trunk. A sort of case with 6 trays pops out for the CDs to fit into. You can go aftermarket and change the head unit in the dash, but it seems like this is more difficult for this vehicle. I will admit I haven't looked into the aftermarket approach much.
#7
07-07-2009, 06:17 PM
Veteran member
welcome ******, there's a wealth of information in many posts and threads in this forum, so when you're bored, read and absorb. 
Fine job with the tensioners and other repairs you completed.
Not sure what to tell you about the heat/cooling system, as it's not something I'm proficient in. When you replaced the waterpump, I assume the thermostat was also taken care of with a new one? Other than that, coolant flush may clean out your radiator and other system hoses, never know what kind of crud is in your heater core or in those lines. Not sure if there are valves in the system or not, again, not my area of knowledge.
Just work on one issue at a time and you'll be back together in no time. Good luck.
Fine job with the tensioners and other repairs you completed.Not sure what to tell you about the heat/cooling system, as it's not something I'm proficient in. When you replaced the waterpump, I assume the thermostat was also taken care of with a new one? Other than that, coolant flush may clean out your radiator and other system hoses, never know what kind of crud is in your heater core or in those lines. Not sure if there are valves in the system or not, again, not my area of knowledge.
Just work on one issue at a time and you'll be back together in no time. Good luck.
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#8
07-07-2009, 08:34 PM
#9
07-07-2009, 09:21 PM
Veteran Member
Originally Posted by ******
Thanks a lot Westra! Cheers for the advise too.
I'll keep the CD changer in mind there! Today someone suggested to get a tape (cassette) with a wire which makes it possible to attach to your MP3 player. I'll have a go at that tomorrow and see if thats working properly. Meantime I'll hunt for some CD changers!
Regards,
Tony.
I'll keep the CD changer in mind there! Today someone suggested to get a tape (cassette) with a wire which makes it possible to attach to your MP3 player. I'll have a go at that tomorrow and see if thats working properly. Meantime I'll hunt for some CD changers!
Regards,
Tony.
#11
07-08-2009, 11:42 AM
Veteran Member
#12
07-13-2009, 05:50 AM
Guest
Posts: n/a
Hey all!
Thanks for all the replies! Havent been able to give an update due to work but here we go;
The CD player stuff has been sorted out now. Found some addressses which i can buy them from. For now ill stick to the cassette/mp3.
The functions on the steering wheel (horn, radio control, cruise control) are still not working. Guess I have to disensamble the steering column to check the wires.
Air conditioning really needs some attention. Any tips are welcome on this matter as this has the most priority. How can I check if the fluid is still good f.e.? What else is there to check?
The waterpump got replaced but not the thermostate. Could that be the problem?
Regards,
Tony.
Thanks for all the replies! Havent been able to give an update due to work but here we go;
The CD player stuff has been sorted out now. Found some addressses which i can buy them from. For now ill stick to the cassette/mp3.
The functions on the steering wheel (horn, radio control, cruise control) are still not working. Guess I have to disensamble the steering column to check the wires.
Air conditioning really needs some attention. Any tips are welcome on this matter as this has the most priority. How can I check if the fluid is still good f.e.? What else is there to check?
The waterpump got replaced but not the thermostate. Could that be the problem?
Regards,
Tony.
#13
07-15-2009, 04:41 AM
Senior Member
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