Hi guys-
I have '98 XJ8L that's been backfiring.
Here's the history.
I've been working on this car for a little while now. it belonged to a good friend (Mike) who passed away. His wife called me recently and asked if I wanted it.
I said yes, so now it's up to me to find the problem.
Mike he had been robbed and he came home and caught the guys and they took off in their car. He chased them until the jag started backfiring and was over heating. He managed to limp home and that's when he called me.
I've changed the cam chain guides and tensioners and ignitors/plugs, checked everything I can things of. I found a number of large vacuum leaks. (I did all this before Mike passed)
Timing appears to be correct so nothing has jumped a tooth.
I have noticed that when I was turn the crank, I can hear what I believe is one of the valves sticking and then letting lose. Sort of a loud click at the back side of the motor on the passenger side.

I'm fairly certain that a valve is bent or a seat has come lose or something catastrophic to the head like that.

My question(s) are:
is there an independent jag mechanic in the Dallas , Texas area?
If not is there a jaguar salvage yard where I can get a replacement head?

Or, if anyone knows something I haven't tried....
-Thanks in advance.
-Cash

 

First off, you're in the wrong forum for your car. This one is for the aluminium cars from 2003-2009.

However it's not clear what model your car is, and hence what forum covers it. It cannot be an XJ8 if its 1989, as the engines were either the straight six AJ6 engine, or the V12, and the car would be the successor model to the XJ Series 1,2, & 3 built from 1968-1986. This means it should be the XJ40 series of cars built from 1986 to 1994.

 

Cash,

If you can clarify the car's model, model year and engine per Fraser's questions we'll be happy to try to help, starting with ensuring you're in the right forum.

Cheers,

Don

 

Well- It looks like an XJ8L
I am also looking at the title now. It says it's a 1998 XJ8
-C

 

I'll repost in the correct forum.
Soory-
-C

 

Thread moved to X308 section, 1998 XJ8 is an X308.

Get in touch with Brutal here on the forum, he's a Jag tech in Sugarland.