Right, purchased my 97 XK8 (90km) about 4 weeks back and have started it every 2nd or 3rd day, no probs. It was sitting for about 8 days and when I started it on Fri took a very long time to get up to oil pressure. The gauge didn't move for about 20secs, then started to move up to about 1/4 gauge, then moved back down and back up to 1/4 for about next minute (warning light going off and on), it then moved up to 1/2 gauge down to 1/4 gauge next 15secs, then stays on 1/2 gauge where it usually sits. Over the weekend it moves straight to 1/2 half gauge when fired up.

I thought, what the? It was obviously nice and hot when I test drived it.

I had an AA check and compression test when purchased which is all good.

Any thoughts gentlemen?

 

Stan,

Both the oil pressure and temperature gauges are notorious as being little more than decorative on the XK8.

Provided there's no ominous sounds on startup or blue smoke from the exhaust it's likely to be the sender unit or harness at fault. If these check out OK, make sure it has a Jaguar oil filter fitted. These have a non-return valve which prevents oil draining back down into the sump when the vehicle is left standing for a period. Many aftermarket filters don't have this.

You'll find plenty more info and advice on this topic in the XK8/XKR 1996-2006 section.

Graham

 

Hello

back in December 2012 I had a new ancillary belt fitted to my 1997 XK8 convertibe at 101Kmiles

During the winter the car has been used approx once per week and I get the sqealing noise on start up this lasts for around a minute sometimes along with a slight knocking noise then the all the noises disappear.

I have also had a warning on the dash at the same time saying "low oil pressure" which immediatley disappears as soon as the engine is revved. I noted this morning also a red light in the oil pressure guage and the gauge moving from low to the middle.

Once the car is moving and starting to warm up the engine sounds very healthy with no noises (Tensions etc have all been recently changed) and silky smooth

Do you have any advise on the above

 

As GGG suggested, replace the inexpensive oil pressure switch, inspect the wiring and use an OEM oil filter.

It would also be wise to drop the oil pan and inspect the oil sump screen for clogging from debris from broken tensioners and chain guides. (Replacing the secondary chain tensioners is also a must on these cars.)

Rtucker, repalce your serpentine belt and check your belt idler pulleys and belt tensioner.

 

Hey! just on a side note, I used a Purolator oil filter on my '99' I didn't read anywhere about the importance of using a Jaguar filter. Do I need to correct this ?

 

There are other filters with check valves. I use Mann, but go online and see if the one you used has one. That is the most important thing to look for.