Hello! I took my 2000 XKR to the mechanic yesterday for an oil change and to address some other issues. The mechanic was recommended by the forum and had other older jags in his shop. He proceeded to drain the oil and pour in new oil. He seemed very confident but I decided to ask if the oil was 5W 30 (I had called a day in advance and let him know I was bringing the car, but never specified the oil I wanted). He looked a bit startled and said no it's 5W 20 synthetic, and immediatly went off to grab something different. He had already poured 2 cannisters in.

He came back and showed me Royal Purple 20W 50, and said this is the highest quality stuff. I asked if it would be too heavy, and he said of course not, this oil was even better than what I was asking for, and it's the stuff they used in "racecars." I didn't want to question him any further, with my car already up on the lift and not being an expert myself.

Drove my car home full of 20W 50 oil and maybe some 5W 20 mixed in, is my car good to go or should I get it swapped out immediatly?

I'm in Los Angeles, CA.

Thanks guys.

 

If you look up an "engine oil viscosity" chart (not sure if that's the proper name but that's what I googled) you can compare the hot and cold wokrking temperatures of different oils. I only ever use 5w-30 in my 1997 xk8 (I live in Florida where temps range between about 50 - 90 degrees F. The manual also permits 5w-40 for hot climates. The viscosity grade is not super important as long as you go lower than recommended at the W end and higher than recommended at the hot end. (within reason).

20W-50 mixed with a little bit of 5w-20.... I'm definitely no expert, but personally I'd fear that the oil is too thick. I would change it and insist on 5w-30, simply because that is what is recommended by the manual and is standard. You're likely going to be fine, but come winter your oil might be a tad thick.

 

I am running 10w40 and the piston slap has gone .I also read a very very well informed guy from Norway on land rovers who is adamant anything finishing 30 is engine poison/
I would not bother if it 20w 50 a bit diluted,
the thin oil is only to get a tiny increase in MPG and of no consequence to us

 

I would change it.

5w-40 is the thickest oil recommended in the owners manuals, and that’s really for just summertime in 90-110 F air temperatures.

For my daily drive 2002 XKR I use Mobi 1 0w-40 year round in my climate, which ranges from 50-120 F mostly. Once and awhile I’ll put in the 5w-40 if I’m doing an oil change at the beginning of summer.

Z

PS : The last time I put 20w-50 in an engine at the recommendation of the factory was 1970 and it was what we used in Triumph motorcycles at the dealership where I worked.

Oil, lubrication science, and engine design have come a long way since then.

 

We were still setup for the AJ6/AJ16 and V12 engines in the late 90s when the AJV8 engines came along.

15W40 Mobil Oil was the bulk tank that the Jaguar Dealer I worked at used so we kept using that for years for the XK8/XJ8.

Jaguar Tech Line was a little surprised at that when i mentioned it but realized we were in Texas so did not condemn it completely.

They still protested and we finally got another tank for the 5W30 used in the V8 engines.

No engines failed because of the 15W40 viscosity so I would not be concerned.

 

They won’t fail due the heavier oil, mostly.

But it is a horsepower drag to use a higher viscosity than needed. That’s all.


Z

 

Appreciate all the info in everyones replies.

Settled on 5W 40 full synthetic, the car is about to see some freezing temperatures this week in Nor Cal, but it also gets quite hot here in the summer (above 85F. Particularly when I drive through Nevada/Arizona, 100+).

 

Snackalac,

Down here in Texas, I use 10/40 all the time.....change it every 5,000 miles......make sure they put in 5 Quarts....and I check it at least twice a week!

Works for me!

Billy Clyde @ Cinco Ranch,

 

5 quarts eh ? Must be those Texas sized quarts that are 50% bigger than quarts everywhere else



Z

 

Well Z, It could be more but Momma will only let me buy 5 at a time!

Billy Clyde

 

Might be a good idea to have Momma read the manual....

 

Jon89, Z, Snackalac & Everyone Else:

Back in 1996, I think the Book said 5 Quarts.......But it was only a 4 Liter Engine.....But you Guys know that the 4.2 Engine holds more than that! So, I looked up my last Oil change Bill and found that they had poured 8 Quarts in the 4.2 Engine with a new Filter.......So....I screwed up! Sorry about that, Snackalac!

It really doesn't matter if it's Summer or Winter unless you live in Canada or Scotland except when you are Starting the Engine...It would Start easier with 10/20 Weight if it was Cold......than it would with 40 Weight.....

Billy Clyde @ Cinco Ranch

 

The 4.0 liter also holds 8 quarts...might be a fraction less as I haven't looked it up lately. By my recollection, Jaguar started at 7 quarts for the 4.0, then added a quart with a TSB. I have my dipstick marked at the proper value, but haven't looked at the documents lately, so can't be more precise.

Perhaps someone will chime in. Motor oil, I believe, is the favorite topic in the forum!

BTW, I just changed mine with 5W30 synthetic. Might go to 10W40 in the heat of the summer or 5W40 if I can find it, and if I drive far enough for a change.

 

my 2002 XKR gets 7.75 liters at each oil change. Roughly that’s 8.189334 US quarts. That comes to about 1/8” over the top hole mark on the dipstick. Close enough. After 4,000 to 5,000 miles the oil level has come down that 1/8”, about 250 ml or one 8 oz cup. To me that’s negligible oil consumption. I’ve put about 66,000 miles on the car in 5 years. All total it has 182,000 + .

btw, you can find Mobil 1 5w-40 in most Walmart’s for under $30 per 5 qt jug. I use that or Mobil 1 0w-40 depending on when the oil change comes up. Mainly the 0w-40. It works well in the extreme temperatures, winter or summer.

once the engine is fully warmed up, my oil pressure is about 30 psi at idle and 75 psi at rpm’s over 1,800 regardless of which viscosity I’ve chosen.

Z

PS: love talking oil too. And how about oil filters too ? Anyone trying different filters ? At the beginning of my ownership I stuck with the Jaguar oil filter # EAZ1354.

I’ve since heard that better quality filters can be had. I’ve tried the Mann oil filter, part number # W719 / 7 and the Mahle # OC 323. Both of which are supposed to be among the best available.

I do keep a spare oil filter for emergencies, a (Ford) MotorCraft branded FL - 2021. Haven’t had to use it yet. It’s not quite as long as the others, so I’m doubting it has the same filtering capacity.






Z

 

Increase in oil fill level

100-17 (jagrepair.com)

 

Hello: X100

The Tech Bulletin you sent was Published 11-99.......At the time, the XK8 - XKR Engines were 4.0-Litre......Mine is a 2005 with a 4.2 Engine! So, I checked my Dipstick (02/2004 Build-Date) and it looks like the example (B) on the Bulletin you sent except my Part Number ends in (AE) rather than (AC) ...
So, I'm assuming they are pretty much the same, as when I change both Oil and Filter and fill the (4.2) with 8 Quarts, it is just a little above the MAX Line...Therefore, I'm assuming both Dip Sticks measure the same. for both Engines...

Please let us know if there is a current revision to Bulletin 100-17.

Thanks!

Billy Clyde @ Cinco Ranch...

 

I'm not aware of any further revisions to oil capacity, so the figure in the hand book of 7.4 quarts (Oil and filter change) is correct.

 

If you drain the engine when its hot or just been running you will leave 1 Quart of oil in the engine so best to do it when totally cold..I jack mine up after leaving overnight to make sure I get it all out.