Any advice where I should start checking what needs to be replaced? Waterpump, thermostat, engine timing chain guides - how to determine if needed or replaced already? Thanks!

VIN# SAJHX6044XC857419

 

 

Also, battery is weak and the transmission is slipping - but the service gearbox light is not ON - will replace the battery on Monday - should I do a hard reset by touching the negative cable to the positive terminal for 10 seconds? Is that worth a shot or am I risking damaging the ECU/ECM???

 

pull the cam covers and check the tensioners. Priority 1.

Yes, you can touch the battery cables together (while they are OFF the battery) to clear and reset.

 

Also, replace the battery- old batteries bring out gremlins that will make you chase your tail in circles for days.

 

welcome to the club

 

Thanks DSNYDER and VINCENT!!!

 

1. If the Thermostat housing is plastic, order a metal one for about
$55 on Ebay.
2. The better water pumps have metal fins.
3. Get some spare plastic coolant lines that go to the reservoir etc. They
break very easily and it is handy having a spare. About $20 each.
4. Some Jaguar dealerships will help with maintenance history if the
work was done at a dealership. Good maintenance records save a
lot of guessing.
5. It is only necessary to remove the negative cable from the battery
and then touch that to the positive terminal. The negative post is
not connected to anything and there is no current path. The
car may run poorly until it relearns.
6. Get a spare serpentine belt and keep it in the trunk. Cheap insurance.
7. Ebay is your friend for parts.
8. NEVER run the car if it is hot. Get it towed. NOT EVEN one mile.
9. Get the Best OBD2 reader you can afford. Check the forum for
suggestions. Not all will clear Jaguar codes.
10. Download JTIS from the Forum. That will give you all the manuals.
PRINT out the wiring diagrams.
11. The car will let you know what is needs soon enough.....
12. You can have the transmission overhauled and installed for well
under $3,000. If the rest of the car is good. Do it and press on
when that time comes.
13. Find a non dealership mechanic you trust to help when things get
too complicated.
Good Luck!

 

+1 on what big D said. tensioners are crucial. to check tensioners pull off valve covers. if they are plastic, replace. weak batteries tend to set off codes.

check water pump and thermostat housing. if thermostat housing is plastic, replace it as well as upgrade the water pump.

if your car has the original engine it has nikasil cylinder liners. i'd recommend to check compression. you can also check the plugs at the same time. drop the oil. do the fluid change (rear end, brakes, coolant flush, etc.)

 

Tirefriar - thanks - would a Jaguar dealer be able to tell me if the motor is original or has been changed by the VIN #? I thought by 1999 Jaguar had already switched to the cast iron liners.

 

The last nikasil engine was produced 8/18/00. If you have a reman. engine there will be a tag on top of the bell housing on the right side. If your engine is nikasil and the compression is good it will likely outlast the steel lined engines. But you should read up on "bore wash" and not shut the engine off when cold.

 

Excellent suggestion RJ about bore wash - I will check the motor out tomorrow - thanks!

 

Most of the engine replacements were done by Jaguar dealers on cars that were still under warranty. You can have them run the number to see or check your engine number to see if it matches.

In theory nikasil lined engines should outlast steel lined engines. There are many members on the forum that swear by their nikasil motors. The belief is that if the nikasil motor made it to this day without lining issues, then they will run forever.

Problem is you never know when the lining decides to crack. Several Jaguar techs I spoke to suggest to avoid these because if the nikasil lining ever goes bad, the engine immediately becomes an oversized paperweight. The steel lined engines are rebuildable.

It all boils down to how well the car was looked after. No worries, keep up the maintenance and enjoy it.

 

this is the list of what I have done since the purchase and more to come on the way

https://www.jaguarforums.com/forum/x...-so-far-82136/

 

Welcome eurosport you have found an awesome forum. I belong to other forums for some of the other vehicles I own and this out shines them by far. Congratulations on getting your XJ8L. As you have already found there is a wealth of information available here, if fact I can not think of anything else to add to the advice you have already received. Enjoy your Jaguar - I love mine!

 

Someone mentioned that I should replace the gearbox cable assemble as it stretches over time and can cause 1st gear flare (slipping) - very expensive and currently on back order at the Jaguar dealer ($220.00). I was going to start with this first. Thanks!

 

Gearbox cable? I would not start there unless you already have a problem.

Tensioners first.

 

gear selector cable that runs from the J-Gate to the transmission

 

Regrettably, transmission slip on old XJ8's usually points towards worn valve blocks in the transmission sump which can then cause 'A' drum failure which then requires a transmission rebuild.

As you suggest though, try all the cheaper options first-a new battery & make sure the transmission fluid level is correct. As the others state on here, a weak battery can cause all sorts of electrical gremlins on these cars.

 

+1 with Red October on doing the trans service first as a least expensive attempt at fixing the trans. unfortunately, i'm not 100% sure that it solve your problem.

my advise would be to take the car to a local Jaguar specialist and have him/her do a complete inspection/diagnostic. the charge for this is usually 1 hour of labor, with compression test it would be more. doing so will help you avoid spending money and time on things you will not need but rather draw your attention to really important items. i would recommend adding a compression test to the inspection as a great piece of mind.