Had my XK8 now for about three weeks and as it's arrival coincided with a spell of unusually (for the UK) sunny and hot weather, it has been absolutely fantastic - roof down every day and lovely driving conditions.
Now I'm getting to know the car, and have been through all the extensive paperwork, I have a couple of questions.
I have a boot release button, which I don't think was standard on the 2007 model, and it doesn't work. I'm not particularly bothered - the internal button and the key-hole are both OK, but it would be nice to know whether it was part of the original car, or put on by a later owner.
I have also found a note in the service book to the effect that a new engine was fitted at 64k miles in 2001. I assume that was because of Nikasil issues, and for me, that's very good news. I have also found, in a separate envelope, what I think is probably the engine tag from the replacement engine. Do the numbers on it mean anything to anyone ? I would guess that it has "second generation" tensioners so will need some attention at some point, but is there any way of knowing that from the letters and numbers on the tag.
Thanks for any advice.
Cheers,
David.

 

I do not believe that the replacement engine serial number has been demonstrated to report any information. Making the assumption that the replacement engine had the upgraded tensioners is not a valid one. You should verify by removing a valve cover.

Trunk (boot) deck wiring has a common fail point at the right hinge where it is constantly flexed by use.

You should add your vehicle information into your signature line to help us know what year you are discussing. The use of the '2007' was confusing.

 

+1 on adding vehicle details to your Signature.

I'd investigate and fix any malfunction of the boot locking system. better to check when you can open the boot rather than on the day you're locked out.

Like test point, I haven't found any information on replacement engine serial numbers. However, a number of sources report the rebuilds were not done by Jaguar at the Bridgend engine factory but were sub contracted.

Graham

 

At 64k miles, I'd assume tensioners failed. That's more likely than Nikasil failure, IMO.

And if it's a 2001 engine, you will definitely want to check to see if the tensioners have been replaced.

 

Thanks everyone - sorry about the finger trouble - should have been 1997 I blame old-age !
The JEPC lists NCA 1002 BAE as a "stripped engine" - so I think it unlikely that metal tensioners were fitted in 2001. I suppose that if it were a Nikasil issue, then the original tensioners might still be on the original heads.