XK8 New engin, Why

[jaguar wheels]

I have been keeping my eye on the secondhand price of XK8s, through piston heads and autotrader. I intend to buy one in December. I have noticed that a good proportion have had new engins. Can any one tell me what the problem is with the engines and when it is likly to occur.

Simon

[schueymcfee]

Usually down to Nikasil cylinder lining failure on pre 1999 model cars, although the timing chain pre-tensioners have been known to fail and trash the engine.

If it's had a replacment engine then it's ususally a good thing as it won't have the Nikasil problem and would've been replaced by Jag free of charge.

Nothing to worry about IMO.

[derick]

Although there seems to be a fix for a Nikasil engine by having steel liners or a new revised engine from Jaguar fitted. However is their a fix or upgrade for the timing chain pre-tensioners so a possible failure can be prevented?

[robocop]

Just bought a early XK8 - fantastic car!

If you get a car with an original engine(not all of them suffered the Nikasil problem - mainly those that used cheap rubbish petrol and did a lot of stop start driving), make sure you have the Blow-by check done at a Jag dealer/specialist(£40 well spent). That will give a good indication of the state of the engine. While they are doing that, you can check to see the state of the suspension bushes at the same - XK8's tend to chew through these apparently. Listen for rattle after start up - could be chain tensioners, which is expensive...but not as much as a new engine if they fail!!

Apart from all the usual second hand buying tips, try out the owners club for advice at:

www.xk8xkrenthusiastsclub.com

they were very helpful.

Best of luck!
Rgds


P.S. You wont miss the TVR, bags more style ... and reliability

[derick]

derick said:

is their a fix or upgrade for the timing chain pre-tensioners so a possible failure can be prevented?

And also if an XK is fitted with CAT suspension, Do these cars also suffer from bush failure problem?

[robocop]

derick said:

And also if an XK is fitted with CAT suspension, Do these cars also suffer from bush failure problem?

Derick,

I think it is more that XK's wear the bushes quicker than would be expected, as opossed to actually failing. I think its just down to the size of the car and the geometry set up. Maybe the bush construction needs beefing up a bit too

Does anyone one know if there are 'updated' bushes available - polypropylene etc?

Mine has CATS, and as far as I know, the bushes were only changed at the 60k service in Feb, just before I bought it! I don't think that is too bad. I would imagine CATS would help as there would be less compression under load as the suspension stays firmer.

Any techies out there to confirm(or disprove ) this?

Rgds