Oh god, what have I done?
Thread Starter
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Senior Member
Joined: Aug 2013
Posts: 345
Likes: 37
From: So. Fla.
Oh god, what have I done?
Hello Jagforum.
I have been a lurking member for the last couple of years and finally this is my first post.
Since laying eyes on the xk8/Xkr series from 96-06 I have been trying to acquire one of these most beautiful of cats. No luck until now.
A friend with a dealership recently came into possession of a 2000 Xkr with 70k miles. It is very strait body and paint wise. The engine is another matter.
The P.O. Said car was in storage for two years, started in order to charge battery, left unattended, thermostat stuck, car ever heated. Plausible, but can you believe a PO?
He does not want to bother with the vehicle. Knowing I have been trying to get one he has made a proposal. He will fund the repair of the car, I will do the repair. I get first digs at the car at cost. He will give a sweetheart financing.
I must be crazy, feels like a pact with the devil. But what's
a man in love to do?
GO FOR IT!
I am counting on the Forums wisdom to help me reach my objective. Be prepared for a lot of silly questions.
Thank you
Juan
Ps. I must have read all 161 pages of the Forum at least once. Many more than once.
I have been a lurking member for the last couple of years and finally this is my first post.
Since laying eyes on the xk8/Xkr series from 96-06 I have been trying to acquire one of these most beautiful of cats. No luck until now.
A friend with a dealership recently came into possession of a 2000 Xkr with 70k miles. It is very strait body and paint wise. The engine is another matter.
The P.O. Said car was in storage for two years, started in order to charge battery, left unattended, thermostat stuck, car ever heated. Plausible, but can you believe a PO?
He does not want to bother with the vehicle. Knowing I have been trying to get one he has made a proposal. He will fund the repair of the car, I will do the repair. I get first digs at the car at cost. He will give a sweetheart financing.
I must be crazy, feels like a pact with the devil. But what's
a man in love to do?
GO FOR IT!
I am counting on the Forums wisdom to help me reach my objective. Be prepared for a lot of silly questions.
Thank you
Juan
Ps. I must have read all 161 pages of the Forum at least once. Many more than once.
You need to research the engine before you agree to anything. Does it have metal tensioners or not? That's probably the first thing I'd look at. How bad did it overheat? Enough to drop a valve seat? I bought my XJR in a similar deal, a bit of a gamble because you don't know how expensive the engine will be until you take it apart.
Worse case scenario you could always buy another complete engine. Price that out, then work a deal with this guy, and if the numbers are ok, do the deal. But be wary of any agreement that leaves you taking the risk of the unknown damage.
Head gaskets, tensioners and timing chains, tools, gaskets, etc just cost me $1750 in parts, and I did all the work. And that is with no head damage.
Look before you leap, my friend.
Worse case scenario you could always buy another complete engine. Price that out, then work a deal with this guy, and if the numbers are ok, do the deal. But be wary of any agreement that leaves you taking the risk of the unknown damage.
Head gaskets, tensioners and timing chains, tools, gaskets, etc just cost me $1750 in parts, and I did all the work. And that is with no head damage.
Look before you leap, my friend.
Thread Starter
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Senior Member
Joined: Aug 2013
Posts: 345
Likes: 37
From: So. Fla.
Thank you Xjr Chad.
AgreedmAVT007. I will have control of what is done and what gets bought and placed on the engine, using his money not mine, so I have no loss but my time and I get to have all the fun in his ticket.
Engine starts and I did not see any white smoke out of the pipes. The car was very low on the coolant tank, I filled it with Zerex G-05. I will loosen the inter cooler plug an finish filling through there. There was no oilynresidue on the expansion tank. The oil cap had a very small amount of brownish matter on the bottom, the dipstick was clean, oil on stick looked normal.
The engine does miss. I am not without resources, I have a veteran mechanic looking over my shoulder. I have yet to read the codes. The computer indicates a CEL and is in restricted mode. The battery (interstate with vent, 1000CCA) was dead. Charged it and the car started at once.
My friends opinion is that the compression is high, upper radiator hose was bulging. He suggested we pull the engine and remove the heads. Send them out to check. If they are rebuildable we have been quoted $250 per head.
What would you recommend I do prior to pulling and tearing into the engine?
AgreedmAVT007. I will have control of what is done and what gets bought and placed on the engine, using his money not mine, so I have no loss but my time and I get to have all the fun in his ticket.
Engine starts and I did not see any white smoke out of the pipes. The car was very low on the coolant tank, I filled it with Zerex G-05. I will loosen the inter cooler plug an finish filling through there. There was no oilynresidue on the expansion tank. The oil cap had a very small amount of brownish matter on the bottom, the dipstick was clean, oil on stick looked normal.
The engine does miss. I am not without resources, I have a veteran mechanic looking over my shoulder. I have yet to read the codes. The computer indicates a CEL and is in restricted mode. The battery (interstate with vent, 1000CCA) was dead. Charged it and the car started at once.
My friends opinion is that the compression is high, upper radiator hose was bulging. He suggested we pull the engine and remove the heads. Send them out to check. If they are rebuildable we have been quoted $250 per head.
What would you recommend I do prior to pulling and tearing into the engine?
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 120,439
Likes: 17,006
From: Durham, UK
Welcome to the forum Autobahn Kid,
Good to have you here with us at Jaguar forums.
I take it you've made the decision and the vehicle is either yours already or soon will be?
Follow this link XK8 / XKR - Jaguar Forums - Jaguar Enthusiasts Forum to the XK8/XKR section advice, help and information. The 'HOW TO' thread at the top is a good place to start for info on regular issues.
Please remember to add vehicle details to your Signature to help others to give relevant advice. Go to the User CP button on the left of the top menu bar, then Settings & Options under Your Control Panel. Select Edit Signature and enter the details.
You can also visit the US Lower Atlantic Region section by following this link Lower Atlantic - NC SC FL GA - Jaguar Forums - Jaguar Enthusiasts Forum to find other members in your region.
Good luck with the project and enjoy the forum.
Graham
Good to have you here with us at Jaguar forums.
I take it you've made the decision and the vehicle is either yours already or soon will be?
Follow this link XK8 / XKR - Jaguar Forums - Jaguar Enthusiasts Forum to the XK8/XKR section advice, help and information. The 'HOW TO' thread at the top is a good place to start for info on regular issues.
Please remember to add vehicle details to your Signature to help others to give relevant advice. Go to the User CP button on the left of the top menu bar, then Settings & Options under Your Control Panel. Select Edit Signature and enter the details.
You can also visit the US Lower Atlantic Region section by following this link Lower Atlantic - NC SC FL GA - Jaguar Forums - Jaguar Enthusiasts Forum to find other members in your region.
Good luck with the project and enjoy the forum.
Graham
Senior Member
Joined: Jul 2013
Posts: 513
Likes: 54
From: White Cloud, Michigan
Good luck with the XKR. There's nothing quite like a supercharged Jag. Great... Now I want to take mine for a drive, but I'm stuck at work for another 3 hours... 
Trending Topics
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 120,439
Likes: 17,006
From: Durham, UK
Moved from New Member Area - Intro a MUST section to XK8/XKR section as requested.
I've left a re-direct in the New Member Area.
Graham
Veteran Member
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 7,657
Likes: 3,020
From: Arlington VA USA
Thank you Xjr Chad.
AgreedmAVT007. I will have control of what is done and what gets bought and placed on the engine, using his money not mine, so I have no loss but my time and I get to have all the fun in his ticket.
Engine starts and I did not see any white smoke out of the pipes. The car was very low on the coolant tank, I filled it with Zerex G-05. I will loosen the inter cooler plug an finish filling through there. There was no oilynresidue on the expansion tank. The oil cap had a very small amount of brownish matter on the bottom, the dipstick was clean, oil on stick looked normal.
The engine does miss. I am not without resources, I have a veteran mechanic looking over my shoulder. I have yet to read the codes. The computer indicates a CEL and is in restricted mode. The battery (interstate with vent, 1000CCA) was dead. Charged it and the car started at once.
My friends opinion is that the compression is high, upper radiator hose was bulging. He suggested we pull the engine and remove the heads. Send them out to check. If they are rebuildable we have been quoted $250 per head.
What would you recommend I do prior to pulling and tearing into the engine?
AgreedmAVT007. I will have control of what is done and what gets bought and placed on the engine, using his money not mine, so I have no loss but my time and I get to have all the fun in his ticket.
Engine starts and I did not see any white smoke out of the pipes. The car was very low on the coolant tank, I filled it with Zerex G-05. I will loosen the inter cooler plug an finish filling through there. There was no oilynresidue on the expansion tank. The oil cap had a very small amount of brownish matter on the bottom, the dipstick was clean, oil on stick looked normal.
The engine does miss. I am not without resources, I have a veteran mechanic looking over my shoulder. I have yet to read the codes. The computer indicates a CEL and is in restricted mode. The battery (interstate with vent, 1000CCA) was dead. Charged it and the car started at once.
My friends opinion is that the compression is high, upper radiator hose was bulging. He suggested we pull the engine and remove the heads. Send them out to check. If they are rebuildable we have been quoted $250 per head.
What would you recommend I do prior to pulling and tearing into the engine?
Veteran Member
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 2,134
Likes: 542
From: Costa Mesa, CA
Ok- Here's my $.02.
Check compression- if it reads ok, your looking good, no dropped seats.
Replace thermostat
Check for coolant leaks with a pressure tester
You *may* have a car that just needs a few minor things changed out OR it may need a new engine (overheated for too long)
Some folks think overheated means steam came out (possibly just a split hose)
Some folks think overheated means it wouldn't drive anymore after a 120mph run when a hose burst, then drive for 10 more miles until the engine would no longer
If #1, happy days you get an inexpensive XK
If #2, you still get an inexpensive XK, but your gonna want a different engine (used or rebuilt)
FYI- earlier XK's have nikasil lined cylinders, which DO NOT like overheating.
Check compression- if it reads ok, your looking good, no dropped seats.
Replace thermostat
Check for coolant leaks with a pressure tester
You *may* have a car that just needs a few minor things changed out OR it may need a new engine (overheated for too long)
Some folks think overheated means steam came out (possibly just a split hose)
Some folks think overheated means it wouldn't drive anymore after a 120mph run when a hose burst, then drive for 10 more miles until the engine would no longer
If #1, happy days you get an inexpensive XK
If #2, you still get an inexpensive XK, but your gonna want a different engine (used or rebuilt)
FYI- earlier XK's have nikasil lined cylinders, which DO NOT like overheating.
Veteran Member
Joined: Feb 2012
Posts: 2,997
Likes: 713
From: Waco, Texas, US
Low batteries in these cars cause all sorts of issues. I'm amazed you aren't getting more problems showing up, but up to now it doesn't sound too bad. Check compression and go from there.
