Was there a model year where the X100 XK8 ha better rust pro

[sparks_190e]

I know early ones are rot boxes if unloved (or loved, even) but was there a model year where things got better? I see later ones often enough and they look considerably less rotten than the early ones?

[Jaguar steve]

Not to my knowledge and even if there were the condition of the body will depend far more on how the car has been used and treated now.

2000MY onward cars will benefit from engine modifications that did away with Nicasil liners and the fitting of more robust water pumps and throttle bodies but will still have plastic bodied timing chain tensioners fitted up to the introduction of the 4.2 engine. Metal bodied tensioners can be retro fitted.

[P700DEE]

If anything the later ones are more prone to rust than the early ones. I've seen plenty of 4.2 cars with extensive rust I don't think you need to even consider susceptibility an issue, they ALL rust. It's all about how the car has been kept and what remedial work has been done. The 4.2 is the most reliable engine but don't discount the 4.0 as by now it is highly likely the issues will have been sorted. I shudder everytime anyone says water pumps, the issues were sorted by 1998! Really Nicasil!!! If it got damaged when there was high Sulfur fuel pre 2000 is it really likely to be an issue 20 years later? Nicasil lined cars should be more robust than steel lined as the coating hardens with age and heat cycles. There are even fixes for the weak ZF five speed box as fitted to 4.0 V8 NA, superchargded have the better Mercedes box.

[Jaguar steve]

P700DEE said:

I shudder everytime anyone says water pumps, the issues were sorted by 1998! Really Nicasil!!!

Regardless of it making you shudder or not water pump impeller material was changed on the introduction of the improved AJ27 engine in 1999 for the 2000 model year cars so not only is it entirely relevant to the age range of cars the OP asked about but could have catastrophic consequences if ignored.

I'm aware as you are that Nicasil bore erosion isn't a issue anymore and mentioned it as that's a commonly used defining point between the AJ26 and AJ27 engines and could be used as a negotiating point if buying a earlier car.

[P700DEE]

Jaguar steve said:

P700DEE said:

I shudder everytime anyone says water pumps, the issues were sorted by 1998! Really Nicasil!!!

Regardless of it making you shudder or not water pump impeller material was changed on the introduction of the improved AJ27 engine in 1999 for the 2000 model year cars so not only is it entirely relevant to the age range of cars the OP asked about but could have catastrophic consequences if ignored.

I'm aware as you are that Nicasil bore erosion isn't a issue anymore and mentioned it as that's a commonly used defining point between the AJ26 and AJ27 engines and could be used as a negotiating point if buying a earlier car.

Hi Steve as a mechanic would you really expect any car of 21 plus years of age to still have the original water pump fitted especially as the item in question is known to be a weak point and have vanes fall off? I don't question the original diagnosis rather that any would still be on a car now? Most sensible owners swap water pump and thermostat, I'm on my third set of each not counting any changes that were done prior to the 15+ years I've owned my car. Failure of the thermostat in the closed position leading to overheating is surely more likely and important. Having had head gasket failure due to this, I would also mention that replacement with the later gasket set is well worthwhile too.

[Jaguar steve]

P700DEE said:

Jaguar steve said:

P700DEE said:

I shudder everytime anyone says water pumps, the issues were sorted by 1998! Really Nicasil!!!

Regardless of it making you shudder or not water pump impeller material was changed on the introduction of the improved AJ27 engine in 1999 for the 2000 model year cars so not only is it entirely relevant to the age range of cars the OP asked about but could have catastrophic consequences if ignored.

I'm aware as you are that Nicasil bore erosion isn't a issue anymore and mentioned it as that's a commonly used defining point between the AJ26 and AJ27 engines and could be used as a negotiating point if buying a earlier car.

Hi Steve as a mechanic would you really expect any car of 21 plus years of age to still have the original water pump fitted especially as the item in question is known to be a weak point and have vanes fall off?

The answer is who knows? Water pumps aren't a normal service item that'll be on most people's radar.

If somebody is unaware that pumps can gradually loose efficiency and they've been lucky in not having had one go or never been in a situation where one has been failing for years without them realizing but suddenly presents a real problem when they get stuck in stationary traffic on a hot day once in a blue moon there's no reason to have one changed so there reasonably could be some cars still around on the original ones.

Don't forget the coolant temperature gauge on the XK8 and X308 is software driven so there's no help there until it's way too late whereas a reasonably observant person with a proper analogue gauge might see the engine running a little hotter on occasions with a failing pump or slightly sticky thermostat and decide to investigate.

[cardigankid]

Is it worth changing the water pump on spec? I have no idea if there is a problem on my 2005 car though it seems to be OK.

[cardigankid]

I believe that the flange which caused the footwell corrosion was removed at the time the engine switched to 4.2. The suspension requires frequent TLC, if its any consolation, the X150 Ali monocoque aside, is even worse. The whole thing is ‘ower femmer’ and not well protected.

[cardigankid]

I also think that a lot of cars get neglected, driven in winter, never cleaned down, wheel arch, body flange and sundry suspension corrosion ignored, left standing by the kerb day in day out, in rain, condensation, cold, frost and dead leaves, then periodically thrashed, simply because they are cheap and there’s always another one. No car is going to thrive under those conditions.

[sparks_190e]

Jaguar steve said:

P700DEE said:

Jaguar steve said:

P700DEE said:

I shudder everytime anyone says water pumps, the issues were sorted by 1998! Really Nicasil!!!

Regardless of it making you shudder or not water pump impeller material was changed on the introduction of the improved AJ27 engine in 1999 for the 2000 model year cars so not only is it entirely relevant to the age range of cars the OP asked about but could have catastrophic consequences if ignored.

I'm aware as you are that Nicasil bore erosion isn't a issue anymore and mentioned it as that's a commonly used defining point between the AJ26 and AJ27 engines and could be used as a negotiating point if buying a earlier car.

Hi Steve as a mechanic would you really expect any car of 21 plus years of age to still have the original water pump fitted especially as the item in question is known to be a weak point and have vanes fall off?

The answer is who knows? Water pumps aren't a normal service item that'll be on most people's radar.

If somebody is unaware that pumps can gradually loose efficiency and they've been lucky in not having had one go or never been in a situation where one has been failing for years without them realizing but suddenly presents a real problem when they get stuck in stationary traffic on a hot day once in a blue moon there's no reason to have one changed so there reasonably could be some cars still around on the original ones.

Don't forget the coolant temperature gauge on the XK8 and X308 is software driven so there's no help there until it's way too late whereas a reasonably observant person with a proper analogue gauge might see the engine running a little hotter on occasions with a failing pump or slightly sticky thermostat and decide to investigate.

I have owned 6 cars, four of which I've changed the water pump on. My 190e is on it's third, but it's 30 years old!

[hashluck]

Water pump failed on my 2011 X150 at 30K miles and know of several others the same.

[P700DEE]

hashluck said:

Water pump failed on my 2011 X150 at 30K miles and know of several others the same.

Water pump is a known weakness on X150 especially the 5.0 engine. Prone to leaks and general failure rather than loss of the blades as seen back in 96!