Greetings everyone! I wish I found this board before I bought my 97! Owned the 97 Xk8 2 days and wish I could drive it:

Purchased 97 XK8 w/74500 miles. VIN SAJGX2741VC012714. I am 3rd owner.

Price: $9,012 after tax,dealer, and doc. Prior owner said he had 60k mile service done; however, I have no documentation of this.

Mileage Estimates from prior owners receipts:

1998: 4500 miles
2005: 43,840 miles
2008: 64,233 miles
2011: 75,000 miles

Found the warranty items completed to be:

1999 Code S474: Engine part load engine breather. (Q1: Cleaned it?)

1999 Code S822: Propellor shaft on framing (Q2: What does this mean?)

1999 Code S479- flashing and reprogram of ECM (Q3: What is this?)

2005 Code S514: Throttle position repaired. (Q4: Does this mean replaced throttle body?)

2008: Had work done for convertible top and antennae mast repair.

Just after my purchase 4/2011:

4/2011: Changed oil to SP 5w30 blend, repaired coolant leak at hose, replaced marker bulb, and filled with premium ethonoal free 91 octane. Nikasil check: There was no oil in the filter, but the part load tube was very dirty.

4/2011: Had compression test done to see if had Nikasil issue (stock engine w/black oil pan). Mechanic did first compression test and had 180, then a few more near there. He began having troubles with his valve and it began spitting out 115-120 PSI routinely. He thought this was low and due to his tool not working correctly, so he decided to do a leak-down test. The results of the leakdown test were evenly spaced at 20-25%. (Q5: Does 20-25% sound like it goes hand in hand with 115-120 psi?, I don't trust hte 115-120 numbers, Q6: is 20-25% normal wear for a 97 w/75k?)

4/2011: Convertible top will not latch without using the allen wrench tool. It opens decently and closes ok, but the mechanism that comes from out of the headliner does not extend fully and catch the top to pull it in. (Q7: Does this sound like a fluid issue)

4/2011: Thanks to this board I immedietely scheduled an appointment with a Jaguar specialist. Within the last two days, I have seen 3 XK8's there getting repaired for tensioner issues (One in need of engine replacement.) One of the Nikasil XK8's with only a new water pump had 170k miles on the clock and was just now getting the tensioners installed. Anyways, I scheduled the following work to be performed for what I believe to be a reasonable cost:

Upgrade water pump w/metal vs plastic and coolant flush $202.20

Update 3rd gen timing chain tensioners (4), guides, and timing chain, timing cover,gaskets, crank seal, valve cover gaskets. $1550.00

Serpentine belt installed $84.32

Replace thermostat housing, and all hoses ( upper and lower radiator, bypass, heater) $378.79

Replace spark plugs with NGK Iridium $158.95

Total Cost: Estimated Cost $2,374.26

Leak Down Test: $210.00

Replace front suspension (4 total front and rear lower lca bushings)$440.82

Replace convertible top fluid $311.80

I've driven the car about 20 miles so far and it was a blast! Cant wait to get it back from the shop! Let me know what your thought are on items in my post. Look forward to many years of fun in my new old XK8!

 

Welcome aboard!

Good looking car! All the repair quotes seem in line but you would love the car more if you had an interest in the repairs yourself . . . from my point of view.

At the top of this forum is a 'Sticky' that will probably have most if not all of the 'Service Actions' listed. I did not go check them but holler back with any that are missing.

The top hydraulics are a never ending source of entertainment. See the FAQ sticky above for many links on the issues. I would suggest that you check the fluid in the reservoir in the trunk. If it is green it doesn't need changing, just top it up, if yellow flush and change it. Do the research on the two methods of reducing the probability of a hydraulic hose failure in the same sticky.

Again, welcome to the forum and do not be bashful about posting.

 

Looks great

 

Dude! It looks like you're completely on top of things. You're taking care of everything that has the potential to cause major problems. The car should give you years of "relatively" trouble free service now. I say relatively" because" it's a Jag. It will never be like a Camry. But you probably won't get stranded anywhere now that you've fixed the major issues.

 

I've the car's engine lasted the past 10 years, then don't worry about the nikasil engine.

One more thing to think about is to get a grease gun and grease the spiderjoints of the drive shafts.

 

Good looking car !! I would have to agree that your ownership experience will be enhanced if you learn to do some of your own maintenance / repairs yourself.
When you wash the car, check the trunk to see if water is getting past the trunk lid weatherstrip. The SLC module sets on the bottom of the trunk and can be ruined by a small amount of water. I learned this the hard way on my '97.

 

Great looking XK8! I just purchased a 98 in the same color combo (but wasn't nearly as diligent as you in doing my homework on its history). I guess I'd better check some things out.......

Enjoy!

 

Nice car, good buy. You are taking care already of the major issues. Don't worry about nikasyl. The top not closing completely may be low oil in the pump. Add one of the voltage reduction kits from reverend sam to prevent "the green shower". Enjoy it.

 

Good to have you aboard! You`ll love your Jag as you get to know it better from all of the great information available on this, the best Jaguar forum on the net! Enjoy.....

 

Here are some of your questions answered....

bob gauff