just brought a jaguar xj8 1998 s reg, driving back on the motorway and the a warning light came on sayin: oil Pressue low.
and the car shut down, now it wont start just makes a clunking noise, any ideas on what the fault could be?

 

Might be low on oil. Have you checked the dip stick?

 

yea accroding to the dipstick the oil is on the second indent, could that cause the car to not start?

 

More than likely the oil pressure switch went out and the ecm thinks there is no oil.

 

just recieved the verdict and it is that the engine is done and dusted! as the mechanic could not move it with a breaker bar :S

 

Dude, there's a guy called Chris Forbes close to you in Coventry, he is THE independent Jag specialist I'd use if I lived in Brum, go see him for a second opinion, he was an engineer at Jaguar and needless to say he's a Jag engine specialist, to be honest, it's never a good thing to get a breaker bar out and then say is knackered.......more inclined to see if plugs come out first.

1, oil pump packed up
2. head gasket
3. timing chains

never, "done and dusted" until of course I see a con rod sticking out the side of the block.

time to chill on the idea, have a brew, and deep breath on next route, stick or bin.

 

yea thats what im thinking becaus eim only 20 so at the moment pulling out 1000 for engine + fitting is alot, the scenrio was i was driving the car back and it came up on the dashboard sayin oil pressure low then shut down, surely it couldnt have siezed that quikly?

 

I have to say the prognosis doesn't look good. Seizure, or at least running a main or big end bearing can happen very quickly once there is no oil pressure there; it happened to me twice with motorcycles.

However the whole engine may not be scrap, but clearly if you have no or little money, it has to be a DIY job to sort it out, hopefully assisted by somebody with some knowledge of car engines.

How long have you had the car, and what sort of mileage ? Did you see any service records or anything ? Neglect by previous owners is what kills car engines.

 

Hi mate I brought it yesterday from london drove it back 3 miles away from my house it broke down within 30 seconds it packed up, car has 136k with fsh 5 owners doesn't make sense,

 

So from what you say the engine will not turn over at all, correct ? Yet you managed to drive from London to Brum which is about 100 miles or so. then 3 miles later it seizes.

Was this a private "internet" type of deal, or did you buy from a trader ? Did you test drive the car ? Was the "full service history" just a stamped up service book or were there other documents like service receipts with the car ?
If the engine is really seized up through oil failure, I have to say it seems you have been sold a pup, in my humble opinion.

 

Cool your jets Fraser, the lad's only 20. I guess checking the dipstick, and it being oiled, then that for many would be the end of it. I can see his point, why after a 100 mile trip, it throws it's hand in 3 miles later, after 130,00 odd? It would make me wonder!

Anyway, I suggest contacting the seller, if it's no dice sue. I guess there was no warranty implied or given?

Either way, Fraser's blunt opinion (at this stage) is probably correct, you're stuck with it, or try and make a court get your money back.

The suggestion of DIY isn't a bad one.

It's a rough lesson to learn, but at least you've got it in early.

 

Yes, I am sorry, I didn't mean to be offensive just trying to find out the circumstances of the sale. If it was a private sale, there is very little one can do in the UK, it is 'caveat emptor' in law, (let the buyer beware). However if the car was sold by a trader, there are buyer rights that can be enforced. Car has to be of "merchantable quality" meaning it should not be about to seize up, and also has to be roadworthy with current MOT certificate; I cant see a county court judge finding in favour of the trader for a fault like that.

Palli17 - what did you pay for the car and how did you buy it ? Normal trouble with these V8 cars is not bottom end, it is Nikasil and/or cam chain tensioners, and also water pump losing its vanes. Very high mileages are attainable, and have been attained. I was only last week looking at a lovely black 1998 XJ8 in my local service garage.