XK8 Engine Concerns

XK8 Engine Concerns

Author
Discussion

johnverry

Original Poster:

5 posts

244 months

Monday 5th July 2004
quotequote all
I'm looking for a '98/'99 XK8 for around £17k and have seen a few with rebuilt engines for sale. Is this a common problem, and if so are there any tell tale signs when test driving?

I would love to own one of these fantastic big cats but am concerned .... HELP!!!

bobfrance

1,323 posts

274 months

Monday 5th July 2004
quotequote all
Here's a few past threads on The Nikasil coating problem which has probably caused the engines you refer to be rebuilt.

www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?t=108822&f=85&h=0&hw=nikasil

www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?t=80254&f=85&h=0&hw=nikasil

www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?t=65990&f=85&h=0&hw=nikasil

You can find plenty more on the subject if you do a search for "Nikasil" in the Jaguar section of the gassing station.

I'd say a rebuilt/replaced engine would be a good thing.

Hope this helps.
Bob.

silverback mike

11,290 posts

260 months

Monday 5th July 2004
quotequote all
It will no doubt have something to do with the 'NICASIL' bore wear problem.

There are numerous threads on here, but basically BMW, and Jaguars of 97 - 99 ish vintage had problems with uk fuel, in that the nicasil liners were broken down causing excessive oil consumption and general bad running.

Jaguar (and BMW) replaced the engines up to about 100k. Not sure if they are still doing it.

I researched the problem when I had an XJ8. Jaguar can perform a 15 minute test on the engine to see if it is affected, but the common consensus is that if it had problems, it would have presented itself now, as I believe the fuel has changed.

Hope that helps a bit.

silverback mike

11,290 posts

260 months

Monday 5th July 2004
quotequote all
Bob beat me to it!

johnverry

Original Poster:

5 posts

244 months

Monday 5th July 2004
quotequote all
Thanks fellas, I'll be thread-reading from here on in!

Hope to be purring through Cambridgeshire before christmas!

Cheers

bobfrance

1,323 posts

274 months

Monday 5th July 2004
quotequote all
silverback mike said:
Bob beat me to it!


Ha ha! That old nikasil word always brings us out of the woodwork doesn't it Mike!

silverback mike

11,290 posts

260 months

Tuesday 6th July 2004
quotequote all
Certainly does Bob, scary word......Hopefully I will be back in a Jaguar soon ish Bob, wifey is happy with her alfa, that's the main thing......XJR, XJR

johnverry

Original Poster:

5 posts

244 months

Tuesday 6th July 2004
quotequote all
Thanks for the links chaps - i feel like a guru now!!

happy purring!

grf500

77 posts

269 months

Wednesday 7th July 2004
quotequote all
Nah..... just by a TVR!

johnverry

Original Poster:

5 posts

244 months

Wednesday 7th July 2004
quotequote all
Not a bad suggestion, but i've heard TVR owners sell up in favour of (yawn) bimmers after a year!

What was it you are driving now?

grf500

77 posts

269 months

Wednesday 7th July 2004
quotequote all
Nissan Primera!

Only Joking.

I did sell the Griffith 500 and bought something more my style..... Lamborghini Murcielago. Black with creme hide. Its a beautiful machine and I got a "good" deal on it - 2000 miles and 1 owner..... and got a BMW as well!

johnverry

Original Poster:

5 posts

244 months

Wednesday 7th July 2004
quotequote all
sounds unreal .... what scale is it?

bobfrance

1,323 posts

274 months

Monday 12th July 2004
quotequote all

spunagain

756 posts

265 months

Monday 12th July 2004
quotequote all
Hi all
I am also off to see 1998 XKR this week . Are the engine blocks the same as the XK8? Any ideas What else should I be looking out for? Thanks for the benefit of your XK-perience!
All the best
Spunagain

V8Smith

3,510 posts

260 months

Monday 12th July 2004
quotequote all
After speaking to a Jag specialist a car with a new engine is the car to go for, as long as its been fitted by Jaguar and has the warranty! If you find a car you like insist it go for the blow back test to check the bore wear, this will tell you if there is a problem! I did this last week and the car needs a new engine, costing £7K

Mike

bobfrance

1,323 posts

274 months

Monday 12th July 2004
quotequote all
I'm pretty sure you could get it re-sleeved for a fraction of that.

grf500

77 posts

269 months

Tuesday 13th July 2004
quotequote all
Ah Mr. Verry.

Yes the sound is unreal..... and the scale, well, I'd say its an 11 out of 10!!

So, when are you going to get the Jag? Be nice to be driving around the countryside this summer with the windows down etc. I bet you can't wait. There's nothing like getting a new car during the summer months! Chosen anywhere to drive to for a long sunny weekend?

Jim Meehan

1,103 posts

248 months

Friday 16th July 2004
quotequote all
hello people.

Sold my TVR400SE this very day in order to sample the land of the xjs'91 4.0 manual. Is that true, only 127 or so with manual boxes? If so, is that good or bad news!? MPG c/w the auto?

Only started thinking about getting a Jaguar this week but one chap who restores and services them says the V8 engines whose last 5 chassis characters are numbers, are ok, but DONT GO FOR THOSE WITH 6, i.e. keep away from e.g. ;;;;;;;;;123456 but look at ;;;;;;;;;A23456

Is there no definitive site for Jaguar facts? Anywhere I can find all I need to know about the XJS, like performance, fuel consumption, power output, maintenence schedule, wear & tear n stuff? Iam gonna join the jec cos they've been great when I rang them for advice, really helpful.

From tvr Spifire to stealth bomber in 2 days - p.s. should I have listened to the scare stories about a V12 on a maintenence budget of £1k p.a.? Cos I settled for the 6 - still, Vera can now have the attention she deserves

[

>> Edited by Jim Meehan on Friday 16th July 23:05

bobfrance

1,323 posts

274 months

Sunday 18th July 2004
quotequote all
Jim, I've never been so wealthy since I switched from TVR to a V12 Jag. It's got a 100K miles on the clock is built like a swiss watch and has NEVER let me down.
However I'd still like to own a TVR as well - but not as my main car.

jim meehan

1,103 posts

248 months

Monday 19th July 2004
quotequote all
Bob - after 4 months 400se ownership, several things led to my wanting to change - basically, no man is an island ( so my better half reminds me) & it came down to a need for pace with grace. Sought V8 & V12 info. Felt crushed after talking to classic cats, my local garage guy who is ok, and others, cos they all put me off the V8 (what I now see summarised as 'the nikasil issue') or V12 as a first jaguar, i.e. if budget is an issue. Still, there's time to test one or two under ownership. Besides, am keeping Vera, and she's running great, so a V8 stays in the family.

Nice SE pic that!