Pretty much finished with my 1998 XK8. Full suspension is done. New tires, and oil I'm and happy to say the car feels terrific.

On to other matters....

Fluids:

1) At 46K miles, should I even consider a transmission fluid service to prolong the life of the trans?

2) Should I have brake system bled and new fluid?

3) Car had all new hoses and water pump / housing done about 8 years ago. Should I get a radiator flush and refill with new antifreeze?

4) Any other fluids I should consider a purge and replace?

Yes, all of that. Not so much a flush but drain and refill radiator, brake lines, transmission

From what I've read, it appears that the transmission fluid change is not your typical "drop the pan and fill".
Is this a dealer specific procedure? Or do you think a local foreign car mechanic can do this?
Better yet, should I bring to a foreign car transmission specialist?

I'd take the car to a shop that has done the trans fluid job on this car before. Don't let some CHAIN shop do it. Even at those lows miles it has been on the road for 20 years, go ahead and do it.
I would do the coolant flush or as said at least drain the radiator. It is long over due at 8 years.
Brake fluid if ya want.
Rear end and on the end shafts on the rear end if like on my 03 there are GREASE fittings back there that need hit. Most folks are not aware of these.

I'll do my homework for an experienced shop for the tranny.

As far as the radiator.. I also read about types of antifreeze that I should be using.
Can we elaborate a bit further and tell me what antifreeze I need to make sure enters my car?

Thanks

There is a lot of discussion here about proper transmission fluid and changing procedures. I recently went through the same thing you are going through when i bought my 2003 with 45K and no history. The good news is that Ford Transmission fluid is good in this car - Mercon. I found a repair shop that had worked with ZF transmissions and used the transmission cooler line method. Replaces all the fluid but make sure the fluid they use is Mercon compatible.

I'll make a note of this.

Thanks

Put in it what ever comes out. Don't mix ORANGE and GREEN rad fluids together. I used the GM orange stuff. I was told it meets spec for the Jag in 03 anyway.

Tim

differential lubricant change?

power steering flush?

Ford Mercon? First I heard of that. My own research indicated ZF was just rebranding Mobil 1 full synthetic tranni fluid.

We're getting confused here. Several members have used Mercon in the 4.2L with ZF6HP26. I and many others use Castrol Transmax Import, other fluids have also been identified as being compatible. On early 5HP24 transmission it is recommended by ZF to relace the main pressure valve with the updated version.

The brake fluid should be flushed every two years.

Hi.

Different Model Years use different transmissions.

Early XK8 use ZF 5HP24 five speed.
Early XKR use Mercedes five speed.
Later XK8 and XKR use ZF 6HP26 six speed.

ZF 5HP24 requires ESSO (EXXON) LT 71141 or equivalent, which is hard to get and very expensive.
Cheapest alternative I have found is from Volkswagen, part number VW G 052 162 A2.

With regard to coolant / antifreeze - Jaguar made life a bit more complicated by using three different specifications during the production life of the XK8 / R
Very early cars have "old type" green / blue coolant. (Part #MOR051)
This then changed to a yellow coolant (part # JLM204042/3) and finally to an orange coolant (part # JLM209722/3)
To complicate things even further, colo(u)r isn't necessarily a definitive guide to the specification of a non-Jaguar brand.


Having done a fair bit of research on this, I think it is accurate to say that :
1. Don't mix different types - in some cases, a sort-of sludge will form which can eventually clog up the cooling system.
2. If you do a fairly thorough drain, flush, refill with water, drain & flush again - then it is safe to use a modern OAT (Organic Acid Technology) coolant which may be orange, yellow or purple in colo(u)r.
I'm happy to be corrected, but there seems to be a consensus that this would be OK.

Valvoline Import multi-vehicle full Synthetic ATF meets LT71141 spec.
When I did a cooling system change, I did a chemical flush and used Zerox G05.

I admit I have never flushed brake fluid on any car I have had in 30+ years of driving. Does it make that much of a diff?

Brake fluid absorbs water, can result in corrosion of components, and causes brake fade if you indulge in spirited driving.

For the ZF 5HP24, Castrol Transmax Import Multivehicle, also states it is LT71141 compatible, for BMW, which used the same trans. It sells for $20 for 5 liters at Autozone. I have done a few flushes and filter change with this, and everything seems to be fine, for the last 4000 miles......Just a heads up for those of us, who aren't that well heeled.......Mike

How difficult is it to replace the main pressure valve?