Hey folks, I'll likely be posting a few threads about the new-to-me (but not yet arrived) 1999 XK8. So apologies if you're the type who doesn't like reading the same info, but I do search, and trying to put everything in one place.

1: I'm going to do the primary and secondary tensioners, chain, etc. I'm looking on ebay and see there are a ton of sellers of these things. I know enough to get the right set for my year model, but are there any caveats to buying off ebay? Are some of these absolute garbage and not worth it? Are they all pretty much the same? I see some kits come with a waterpump, and the one on this vehicle was done 6k miles ago so probably doesn't need it, but I guess it couldn't hurt.

2: This is a list of parts I believe I need to undertake this:

Timing Chain Kit
Timing Cover Gasket-OuterOuter
Timing Cover Gasket-InnerInner
Water Pump Gasket
Crankshaft Seal-Front
Valve Cover Gasket Set
8 plugs + seals
VVT Solenoid Seal

Is there anything from that list I am missing? Carfax notes that the plugs and coils were replaced at 110k miles, but I guess 8 new plugs isn't going to hurt anything.

3: Here are some of the recent repairs (and mileage) that was completed:
Heater hose(s) replaced
Antifreeze/coolant checked
Intake manifold gasket(s) replaced
Drivability/performance checked
Intake manifold replaced
Transmission replaced
Antifreeze/coolant flushed/changed
(114k miles - 2k miles ago)
The "Transmission replaced" doesn't mean a new transmission apparently - it means that it was dropped when replacing some of these hoses the transmission was removed and replaced. So I am guessing, because I don't see on the carfax, that the transmission fluid should be replaced.

I don't have a lift, and I've read the procedure, so I think that I'd likely have a shop do that for me. it seems pretty complex for a guy laying on his back on a cold unheated garage floor.

I guess I can link to the Carfax so people can see what was done.

Carfax notes it didn't pass CA emissions, but the seller stated that later it did and it was registered.

I'm moving the car to South Carolina and we don't have emissions checked here.

Anything else I should do while I'm in there?

But yeah, mainly looking at the tensioners. I guess I could buy a new radiator while I am in there - not sure how clogged up these get on these cars after this many miles and they aren't that expensive.

Appreciate everyone's time in helping a n00b.

 

Is there a difference in the $400 valve cover and timing cover gasket kit and the $99 kit that I'm seeing on ebay?

$400 seems a lot for valve cover gaskets...

 

There are two different cam cover sets depending on engine number.
TO ENGINE 9810290000 is the thicker grey and orange gaskets with one piece spark plug boss seals.(1999MY cars can have engines made in 1998)

Engines after that are the thinner black gaskets with individual boss seals.

One of my 1999MY sedans has the earlier grey/orange cam cover set.The engine (and car) was made in 1998)

The gasket sets are NOT interchangeable.

 

If you want the poorest quality gaskets and other parts, eBay is the place for you.

that’s just one persons opinion based on the parts I bought from eBay sellers.

Now I purchase from SNG Barratt and have a lot less leaky gaskets and other parts that end up failing.

like most things in life , you get what you pay for.

They will give a discount to forum members if you order by phone and mention the forum.

https://www.sngbarratt.com/English/#...?saveBranch=US

Z

 

Quality gaskets are super important especially for a job you don't want to have to do again. FCP Euro is where I've purchased a lot of my gaskets, pumps ect. The best prices and everything is OEM or clearly labeled. They don't always have everything but I just purchased my cam cover gaskets from them. Ships in like 3 days too.

I would get the water pump and thermostat separately and make sure it is the upgraded water pump with the metal (instead of plastic) fins. Because you have the XK8 you can also upgrade to the metal thermostat housing tower which I would highly recommend. You can also get a lower degree thermostat which will open at a lower temp and give you a head start on cooling. Your spark plugs and coils are coming out for the job anyways so it would make sense to replace them now. Good coils are important (and pricey) and usually last a long time, but I would replace the spark plugs if you want to replace something without spending a whole lot. I purchased my timing locking kit and all the kits for the job on eBay. I would just make sure to purchase quality parts. Do it once and do it right

 

Looks like I can cross off the tensioners: received the car from the shipper yesterday, got the right side cam cover off today and it has the metal bodied tensioner! At first I was scared because the plastic is discolored orange which made me think it was plastic but when I looked at it - metal tensioner!

Woop. Now more money to focus on the hood.

 

So to update:

I did receive the car and in really good condition overall, though I haven't driven it. Put it right into the garage to inspect, go over some maintenance items, etc.

Current status:
All shock buffers, etc on front and rear are new. They aren't the upgraded ones offered by forum members, but they are new.
Removed the exhaust to put in an Adamesh Stage 1 and 2. Cut the over axle bits but all the exhaust unbolted without even the need for penetrating lubricant. God bless California cars.
Replaced the Canister purge valve (rear of car) and waiting on the other purge valve (left front wheelwell). These were done just to be sure they were new. The replacement canister valve in the rear had a different bracket than mine and sat closer to the charcoal canister so had to do a little creative mounting to get it to sit right but it's there.
Drained the coolant and will purge and refresh with Dexcool. It's the green stuff in there right now but it has always been serviced by a Jag/British center so I'm guessing it's compliant.
Replaced the stock thermostat housing and the external plastic piece. The new housing is the aluminum one. New thermostat as well.
Ordered a new hood, it's an XKR hood in the correct color and arrived in excellent condition (this has so far been the spendiest item). Ordered stainless steel Mina Gallery vent inserts.
Ordered the Mina induction pipe but keeping stock airbox
Cleaned the wheels of 30 years of brake dust. My wheels are the OEM chrome ones and external side was in great condition but internal side had never been cleaned of brake dust! Quite a chore even with iron buster.
Removed oil pan, cleaned the underside of the engine, replaced oil pan gasket. New filter.
Tires are Pirellis and only a few months old, so that's good.
Painted my brake calipers red. Did a lazy job (i.e. not removing since brake pads are new) with POR15 caliper paint.
Removed the cam covers, certified the tensioners are the metal bodied ones. Put back together.
Driver's seat is worn and the cup holder sometimes closes, sometimes doesn't want to - so will keep an eye on ebay for replacements, or maybe recover both front seats.
Got the recommended battery tender (forget the name), took almost a day to get the battery up to full charge and maintenance but the battery is pretty new and very clean back there so will see how it goes once I get it down and driving.

Have to do a deep clean of the paint, polish, and buff out but really want it to shine.

 

Let's see some photos then!

 

 

I'll post photos when done! No one wants photos of half-finished projects!

 

You don't really know us, do you! We love half-finished.

 

FWIW - a long writeup with zero pics is a non-starter for me. I could not even get thru your update post.

I agree that most would want to see the process more than the result. We all like to know how much we are biting off before we try a repair.

Results are great to see too. Always nice to see some success in keeping these cars on the road.

I think my very lengthy working thread has good examples of the details we like to see.

 

Here's some photos of ongoing work!

 

Never been a fan of homeade bodge work, even if it does work, so whenever I see a bolt stuck in the end of a hose I start wondering what actually should be there.

Any help? I've looked through multiple photos and searched but couldn't find.

Driver's side (US) top left of the radiator - short hose with a bolt

 

Some radiators have an AIR BLEED port but your early X100 should have the port blocked (not drilled) from the factory.
Check to see if it actually open into the coolant?

 

This is my 99 coupe.

 

Removed that hose, coolant dripped so the hole goes through to the radiator. Guess it's a replacement? Plugged it back up.

 

This is my 1998 XK8.

 

Replacement might be NON OEM for your MY?
The port can be 'capped' in a better manner than a hose with bolt?