2001 XJ8 - about to buy one !

[Busa_Rush]

Hi, just about to buy an XJ8 if it's all what it seems. Says 65,000 miles.

I know about the Nikasil issue and being an Aug 2001 car that shouldn't be a problem. The timing chain should be OK with the later tensioner and it might still have the plastic water pump. How easy is a water pump change ?

Is there anything else I need to look out for ? Any major problems which I need to be aware of ?

Does the timing chain need to be changed at a certain mileage ? Anything else big coming up in the next 30,000 miles or so ?

Thanks

[fatboy b]

I think people on here advise gearbox oil about now.

[Jaguar steve]

Busa_Rush said:

Hi, just about to buy an XJ8 if it's all what it seems. Says 65,000 miles.

I know about the Nikasil issue and being an Aug 2001 car that shouldn't be a problem. The timing chain should be OK with the later tensioner and it might still have the plastic water pump. How easy is a water pump change ?

Is there anything else I need to look out for ? Any major problems which I need to be aware of ?

Does the timing chain need to be changed at a certain mileage ? Anything else big coming up in the next 30,000 miles or so ?

Thanks

Right: Buy it - you'll love it

A 2001 car will have the revised steel lined engine. Secondary timing chain tensioners will be the 2nd generation cream plastic bodied ones which will for peace of mind - unless they've been done already - have to be changed for the latest metal bodied type. Timing chains themselves don't tend to wear to excess unless the oil changes have been negected at that mileage so you are likley to get away with just having the tensioners themselves changed. Easy to check - just take the offside cam cover off and have a look. Allow around £400 or £150 if you DIY.

Your car will have the later water pump, so no worries there. It should have had the big service at 60k. You'll need spark plugs at 70k unless its a XJR - and they are expensive - £8/10 each.

You will also need the have the "sealed for life" gearbox oil and filter changed. At 65k and 8 years old it will be starting to live on borrowed time. Consequence of ignoring this will almost certainly premature gearbox failure which will really spoil your day. Most Jaguar independents will do this for around £250 - the oil is very expensive and only the approved Esso oil should be used - don't let anybody tell you otherwise. I'd have the "sealed for life 'diff oil changed too. There is no drain plug so the oil has to be sucked out the filler hole. About an hour's work and ordinary EP oil so no big deal costwise.

Check very carefully for corrosion behind the front shockabsorbers. The subframe mounting plates are prone to corrosion on some cars - both sides too one can go whilst the other stays sound.

Rattles from the rear over bumps is usually a failing shock absorber another common problem. Look and feel the tyres for odd wear pattens, a bit of light feathering on the inside and outside of the fronts is normal, but any uneven or heavy wear is a sign of worn bushes or incorrect geometry

Take the car for a long drive - you're expecting a almost silent engine, silky smooth gearchanges, no hesitation in taking up drive from standstill, no rattles or vibration through the steering and strong performance right up to the red line when you boot it. Expect some road noise, but find a quiet section and listen for noisy bearings. The car should track straight with no whine or hum from the 'diff under either throttle off or on. Make sure all the toys work.

Drive your existing car straight after over exactly same route you took the potential new one on. This is an excellent way of highlighting any niggling doubts about whether the car you've just test drove is a good one. It's stopped me from replacing my current XJ8 with a much newer one twice so far.

If you do buy it then buget for a full fluid change and bring the engine oil and filter change intervals down to 6-8K. Buy a really good one, take care of it and it'll last for a long time. Buy a ragged one, continue abusing and neglecting it and sooner or later it'll bite you so hard in the wallet you'll regret it forever.

Set of tyres (16" rims) from £250 to £450. Expect 26+ MPG if you're carefull, a LOT less if you're not . Insurance (48yo/full NCD/comp) £300. Set of shocks £250+. Discs and pads £200 for OE ones.

[Busa_Rush]

Thanks, much appreciated. It's apparently got full Jaguar service history but I always change the oil in my cars at 5000-7000 anyway.

Don't suppose anybody knows of a good specialist in Herts/Cambs/Beds area ?

[sparky35uk]

You will also need the have the "sealed for life" gearbox oil and filter changed. At 65k and 8 years old it will be starting to live on borrowed time. Consequence of ignoring this will almost certainly premature gearbox failure which will really spoil your day. Most Jaguar independents will do this for around £250 - the oil is very expensive and only the approved Esso oil should be used - don't let anybody tell you otherwise. I'd have the "sealed for life 'diff oil changed too. There is no drain plug so the oil has to be sucked out the filler hole. About an hour's work and ordinary EP oil so no big deal costwise.

Check very carefully for corrosion behind the front shockabsorbers. The subframe mounting plates are prone to corrosion on some cars - both sides too one can go whilst the other stays sound.

Rattles from the rear over bumps is usually a failing shock absorber another common problem. Look and feel the tyres for odd wear pattens, a bit of light feathering on the inside and outside of the fronts is normal, but any uneven or heavy wear is a sign of worn bushes or incorrect geometry

.....................................

Excellent advice....as always from Steve, can vouch for the gearbox, as mine 'died' on my old XJ....but not wishing to give up, I brought another XJ (2002 model) and will certainly get the gearbox oil changed for sure!

With regards to the rear shocks, just about to have the lower bushes renewed as they are knocking, bushes were a good price though @£19 each and about £50-80 to have fitted.

Edited by sparky35uk on Tuesday 6th October 19:53

[dkatwa]

Try Kingsroad Garage, 1 Kings Road, Berkamsted HP4 3BD. Tel [phone]

[sparky35uk]

Any news Busa? did you buy it?

[Busa_Rush]

The garage haven't called me back yet. I rang again this afternoon but chap I need to speak to was out.

Drove a BMW 535 this evening and it was good but not as good as I expected.