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I picked up a 1999 XK8 off eBay and had it delivered Sunday. It is nowhere near the description the seller said it was in and silly me for trusting him. It's got a lot of problems that weren't disclosed, but there's little I can do about it outside of small claims.
Moving on...
With the KOEO and KOER the fans always kick on not matter if the engine is hot or cold, and stay on until I turn the engine off and remove the key. I also have a stability control failure and reduced performance mode. I cleared 2 stored DTCs to see if they come back, but obviously something is unhappy with my new kitty.
Can anyone advise where to start? I haven't come across fans running all the time while searching.
Never buy a car without seeing it in person and test driving it. Where to start? A full service probably would help, check wheel bearings and wheel speed sensors. Clean MAF sensor and throttle body. That would be a good place to start others will add more I would think.
Change all the fluids, as suggested, and plan for a trans fluid & filter down the line.
Check the battery condition. Should read ~12.6V with the engine off. If it's old ( >5-6 years) then I'd suggest replacing it.
Do you have any documentation regarding chain tensioner replacement? If not, then you need to make checking them a priority, changing for gen 3 metal-bodied if they're still the old plastic ones.
Did you make a note of the codes before clearing them? If you have RP, then I'd expect codes. Post them here (the raw code information, not any interpretation) if/when they return.
Fans always running with the ignition on is not normal - perhaps a PO has had issues here and just jury-rigged the wiring, but a lower priority than the above.
Change all the fluids, as suggested, and plan for a trans fluid & filter down the line.
noted - I'll get on it
Originally Posted by michaelh
Check the battery condition. Should read ~12.6V with the engine off. If it's old ( >5-6 years) then I'd suggest replacing it.
I bought a brand new battery for it, manufactured 8/21 and the proper size. I'll check voltage when I get home
Originally Posted by michaelh
Do you have any documentation regarding chain tensioner replacement? If not, then you need to make checking them a priority, changing for gen 3 metal-bodied if they're still the old plastic ones.
The owner metioned he'd be sending docs to me including the maintenance and title so waiting on those
Originally Posted by michaelh
Did you make a note of the codes before clearing them? If you have RP, then I'd expect codes. Post them here (the raw code information, not any interpretation) if/when they return.
P0335, P0161
Originally Posted by michaelh
Fans always running with the ignition on is not normal - perhaps a PO has had issues here and just jury-rigged the wiring, but a lower priority than the above.
Did the car come with more than one key?
With the KOEO and KOER the fans always kick on not matter if the engine is hot or cold, and stay on until I turn the engine off and remove the key.
This happens when the A/C is on to help evacuate heat from the condenser. Make sure to re-test with and without A/C.
I am less sure, but if the water temp sensor is disconnected/failed, the ECM assumes it is super hot and runs the fan. An OBDII tool will tell you the temp as seen by the ECM.
As already pointed out, priority 1 is to check on these secondary tensioners, ideally before starting the engine again. Original ones crack, regardless of miles, and allow the chains to skip teeth, and then the valves meet the pistons.
Replacing the coolant temp sensor may be a good idea. Mine has dies in the past and I think it's on it's way out again. For some reason it triggers the car to go into restricted performance occasionally as the temp gauge shoots up to the top, turning the ignition off and on again fixes it.
Woojo, another thing you'll see. The fans are designed to run for a bit, car off key removed, if engine temp is above a certain level. Not to worry when you see that.
I changed out the coolant temp sensor and it seems to be happier. Still get the rear O2 code and stability control failure. I'm going to flush the cooling system this weekend. Fans still run on high all the time. I bet it's hacked together..
New XK8 owner - fans always on
never trust anything online
