I have just moved up from a 1980 MGB (staying in the British car family). I look forward to reviewing questions and answers here on the forum as I did with the MGB.

What are the common failures/issues with the 1999 XK8?

 

Welcome to the forums XK8WGM,

The most common failure/issue is newbies not reading the massive number of posts on this topic.

Look for:
1. Plastic tensioners
2. Overheating
3. 'sealed for life' transmission

That will get you to threads and posts on the main issues affecting the X100.

Please read the guidance for new members ( https://www.jaguarforums.com/forum/n...ned-up-241802/ ) which answers many of the most frequent questions about getting started.

Graham

 

WELL, I see that the forum world has not changed much since I joined the MG Forum 8 years ago. Sorry to bother you with rookie questions/posts. Guidance and opinions are like other body parts -- everybody has one. Thank for the welcome...

 

Ignore the GGG it's just British humour ....just ask what you want and you will get an answer no problem.

 

Thank you, that's a much better reply and welcome. My family descends from Melton/Mowbray region, so I am part British...

 

Welcome to the Forum,

There are lots of opinions about what are generally the weaknesses in our car. I bought a car stuck in storage for 2 years as a garage restoration project. Car wasn’t too bad to start with but I had to get it running, and then had a fabulous three years driving it without any real issues. Learnt a lot from this forum and, even in the middle of a difficult task, forum members would answer my SOS!

GGG is right about the threads here - the search function is the best place to start as someone will have had your problem before.

I would say that the car’s aging electronics are tough to DIY but depending on your skills with a soldering iron, some repairs are possible - ie soldering the power pins on the ABS - Michaelh showed me the way.

The plastic cable connectors are getting tougher to source and replace plus the cost of interior plastics can be shockingly high. I was lucky enough to have a scrap donor car.

Big shout out to all the members here who are prompt to respond, esp us Veterans. I sold my car when I left Bahrain but I still drop in this forum to see what’s up, and will probably get another X100 in the future. It’s a fab GT classy car that eats up long distance miles with power and comfort.

 

This forum along with the website that long-time forum member Gus runs will serve as the best tools in your toolbox for keeping these cars performing at their best. And yes, there can be a lot of time and money involved so the more you can DIY, the better off you will be. Many of the Jaguar dealerships here in the U.S. will not even service these cars any longer due to inexperienced techs and parts that are becoming scarce or no longer available. Gus's website is JagRepair.com - Jaguar Repair Information Resource. It would be an extremely wise use of your time to spend the better part of a day perusing this forum along with that website. If your tensioners have not been replaced with the upgraded metal ones for the 4.0 engine cars, you are driving a ticking time bomb....

 

Welcome! I have a 98, look forward to helping you.

John

 

welcome to the forum this group has a wealth of information that will definitely help you with your new cat

 

Welcome !


the number one issue with all of these cars is the aging electrical system. It’s my theory that the aging wiring and circuitry has a little more resistance than when the cars were new(er). I Without full battery voltage getting thru, we end up with low voltage anomalies that manifest in many different and hard to trace ways.

A fully charged battery overcomes these issues and is why many forum members keep a battery tender hooked up whenever the car is not being driven. In my case, I have one hooked up whenever the car is in the garage overnight or longer.


The Delran Battery Tender + is a good product. The CTEK and NOCO products really well respected also.


I’ve been using a Delean Battery tender + for many years , no problems . But when Amazon had a recent sale on the NOCO Genius 5, I bought of those, and it’s working fine .


You can avoid many issues, even a “restricted performance” warning light by having a battery that’s 100%.


Z

 

If you feel it was at all neglected, or you're hearing things from the front end, take a look at the front upper control arms and the upper bushings for wear. To me, it's a terrible set up and the GREAT fun, sometimes, comes with changing the bushings and finding everything all stuck together...

Battery battery battery, as mentioned.

Rear most FRONT subframe mounts. Often forgotten about and over-seen. Makes a great difference when replaced... The job is a bit involved but not that bad a job IF the silly torx bolts Jaguar used don't strip out on removal, you construct or buy a engine support beam, and ain't afraid...

Tensioners, as mentioned.

Often neglected air intake seals. Can be replaced quickly (I don't know what year your car is) if you yank the whole intake and throttle body off as one chunk.

The underside... There is triangular shaped section of the rear axle subframe. Check for signs of corrosion... I think parts dealers are starting to catch on that it's TIME for them to start going bad. Prices are creeping up. This subframe section holds the rear axle and diff to the car like trailing arms on older cars.

Cool thing is, from 1980 to now, is the system of codes and OBD stuff. HAVE a cheap easy scan tool that will talk blue tooth to your phone. If you have issues, immediately post codes. They are great leads and folks here have seen it all!

Change the trans fluid and filter. Forget the sealed for life myth and selling strategy.

Youre in a good spot. GGG was jus Fing with ya!

 

WGM, Maybe this will help down the road some common thoughts/questions that frequently come up after a bit of ownership:

Can I add a super charger? No, cheaper to find and buy an XKR

Do they sell LSDs? No one seems to have found a source hundreds have looked. Its been said that some of the cars that went to Mexico had a differential with a slightly higher ratio. Can't say I've ever heard of anyone finding one and reporting back.

Can I use regular gas? Yes, won't cause a problem, but may force ecu to change timing into not ideal for maximum performance.

Why do I sometines see a red light flash really fast on dashboard with hard fast turns? Its reporting a bit of wheel slip. If you've got trac control, the car has already changed timing, fuel flow, brakes at individual wheel, to minimize slippage. Oh yeah that slip will turn off cruise control as designed.

Valet switch (at left knee height) push it hear a beep, not the only way to unlock trunk and glove box is with green key. Black key is given to valet, blocking their access to your bars of gold in the trunk, jewelry in glove box. Friend most of us find this feature falls into the PITA category. All to easy to turn it on with knee when exiting, hope you then have the right key!
2 solutions:
1) disconnect the valet switch in the bank
2) move the switch to the mirrored area on the opposite side of the knee bolster panel. The square holes are same size. Easy to swap interior temp monitor on inner side of panel with valet on outer side.

Got a dark car (mines asphalt grey, blends right in), or for any reason, you'd like daytime lights?
If you've got auto headlights your in business. Just cut a small square of masking tape, place it over the LED Light sensor on back of mirror = car thinks its night lights on for safety.

Speaking of headlights. You'll soon feel frustration with forward view from factory headlights. If you're like me, or many of us, you'll spend $$$ on Halogen bulbs, realize they suck, then maybe go for extra extra bright halogens at 2x the price (another waste).
These cats are just begging for LED OR HID HEADLIGHTS! Makes a HUGE improvement!!
Yes you can install then yourself.

My findings HID VS LED:
HID more expensive. Install tougher because you need to mount high voltage transformer, then notch out slots to feed high voltage cables through weather housing to XENON bulb.
While they take a few seconds to maximum brightness, they are a bit brighter, longer reach than LEDS.

LED, Less expensive, easier to install.
it'll take a minute to decipher how to mount then in existing socket but not too hard. It will be larger, they get very hot, internal fan needed. Instant on, starts at full brightness.

I lean towards recommending LED for both high and low beam lights. A WORLD of difference!!!

FYI I never figured out if LED will fit in fog light slot.

Ok whats next?

Oh I love this Xk8 secret. You have rear fog lights. Someone tailgating you? Flick them on off on. Works almost every time! If you need more ooompf, tun on emergency flashers, then depress the rear fog light button on off on off in contra synch with e flashers. Now I'm not saying that looks like an emergency vehicle, that'd be illegal, but I am saying I've never seen a tailgater stick around (wink wink nudge nudge)

Discount stereo sells a great Bluetooth add on that preserves cd changer ability. Haven't listened to a cd since I installed iit though.

Enough for tonight. Say if you want more of these tid bits.

John

 

Thank you for your detailed reply. This is more of what I was looking for and expecting from current Jaguar owners.

 

If you get a strange rattle from the bell house area ..sounds like a rattling exhaust or failed catalytic then its low auto transmission fluid ...Use a german filter and change the fluid.
There is an upgrade for some older models raising the oil level 1 quart .
You cannot dip the oil for about an hour as the engine holds about a quart in its internals which takes that long to drain.

Search on you tube "To the Garage" hundreds of good videos on how to sort things out .
eg

 

Welcome. This forum is indispensable to me.

 

WGM, I sorry to disagree with you but I didn't read GGG's response as snotty and unhelpful. It was short and to the point but he said what he meant and meant what he said. I think you didn't read that correctly.
Those 3 searches will deliver sooooo much info and helpful tips. I found the forum long before I bought an XK8 and learned a great deal to be armed with in my search.
After reading some of those searches you will see that this is the most helpful and infomative forum ever!!!

You can't hear a persons tone of voice in type, this leads to a lot of problems on the internet. NEVER have I read someone saying that the question is stupid and you should have done your research. We're enthusiasts, not scientists. Well, some sound like they're auto scientists. There's no haters here. You'll see. You won't regret joining or buying that car. But of course, we can't see what you're starting with but help is here.

Welcome to the Forum and drive safe, TM

 

Perhaps a few more:
If a window goes cockeyed in the track DONT FORCE IT (I did once I learned). Its just a loose bolt.

Don't know if your my age, but its a lot easier to get down into the driver seat by sliding down the outer edge of the chair back - you WILL wear through the leather in months!!


Are checking ride height part of your maintenance procedures. Specs are on this site. W, if upper shock mounts wear, you'll ride on front tire outside edge- ruins it in weeks/ months.

Hood can be secured vertical for easy engine access. Dont do it in heavy wind!!

Taking radiator out is super simple fast. BUT mind both sides of the nut& bolt, it wants to hide on you!! Pita when its lost in the bowels.

Should you need to, access to back of radio is doable without yanking it out. Plenty of room back there, just unstuck the carpet folds for access.

John

 

 

Well done, added another British car to the Fleet. So you must be well prepared to work on your own cars.

 

Crossing my fingers that not too much will need to be done on this one. It only has 33,500 miles on it. The only obvious thing is the fuel door actuator has fallen into trunk. I have a used one on the way. The belt is showing some cracking on the ribbed inside so I will probably take to a local European shop to have replaced and at the same time replace the plastic pulleys. Driver's seat has the fat man slide leather cracking. Other than those items, it looks and feels like new. Today, I have to put new fuse box on the MGB but will probably be selling it soon. Hate to let it go but the Jag is so much easier to drive.