Hi all, good morning, a first poster checking in. I’m looking for advice please re. a specialist for recommissioning a 2005 XKR. I inherited the car from my late father, he had it since new, and dry stored and SORNd it since having to give up driving 4 years ago. It has 120k miles and full history. I have the technical competence to do it myself, the issue is time, and the fact I live outside the UK, hence I plan to outsource it. I don’t expect any major issues but I do want to do it totally and properly and with the long term as I will use the car going forward. It’s currently in Oxfordshire hence local recommdations are great, but I don’t mind farther afield if needed. Many thanks and best wishes, Mark

 

Hi Mabbott, Welcome to the forum.

The vast majority of members do maintenance and refurb projects themselves. This is achieved in large part due to the excellent knowledge and support herein. So, the reality is that perhaps only a few can recommend professional XK8 ‘recommissioners’. That said, Jag work is big business and there must be many specialists peppered up and down the UK.

It sounds like yours was well looked after so, despite the 120,000 miles, it may only require light work. Unfortunately, the XK8 is excellent at hiding problems so it may be an idea if you could upload some details and images. Just a thought, but if you share pics of concerns that you know of, plus suspension and underside, then this forum could at least provide a high-level assessment of what tasks to expect in recommissioning quotes.

 

Many thanks PKWise for the quick reply. I would actually love to tackle it myself, my challenge is time and location. I live in Switzerland and the car is in the UK, so even in a post-Covid environment, I can‘t easily pop over and do a few jobs. I even considered if there’s an enthusiast who’d like a small project to take on in reward for a little cash. It’s more finding the right person and right outcome as I’m doing it for the memory rather anything else

I’m fairly sure it’s light work too. It MOTd fine the last time around and it was my dads pride and joy. My main plan was to give it a really really through service first (all fluids, discs, pads, tyres, hoses and belts etc) and to your point then try and figure out the hidden stuff. My main concern is any hidden rot.

Cosmetically it’s pretty good except for some scuffs and I’d also need to refurbish the wheels (Detroit so split rim). Interior and electrics were fine but you never know. I also know once the work starts I’ll find a few other things to do

the only photos I currently have are a few years ago, she’s JRG over ivory so a lovely classic combination.

with best wishes, Mark

 

What a lovely way to pay tribute to your late father. Mine would just sell it for fishing gear, hunting rifles a pic 'em up truck. LOL I'll be sure to sell it and spend it before I go as i deteriorate. LOL
TM

 

Hey mark,

welcome.
my first, basic thought would be ALL the fluids to include trans, super charger (easy), differential (more effort), etc... with all SYNTHETIC fluids...very important based on both mileage and set-up time.
second, pull all the plugs (might be stock) run a compression check (easy) and by doing so you will freely (no load) spin over/ pump up the (fresh) oil thru out the dry engine prior to throwing power to DRY cylinder walls, cam bearings..etc. then some new iridium plugs to start your new relationship off on a good note.
hit the air filter housing with a vacuum for possible residents...etc.
&...a new fuel filter and lots of Seafoam in the tank...after two tanks of premium do another fuel filter...easy and located inside the left rear wheel fender...$18 on Amazon and DONT get the threaded ones...yours will be slip on fittings...all references will lie about this.

..just a few thoughts...alll easy...

max &
XKRFACE

 

All for removing the spark plugs and turning the engine, however would add that it is a very good idea to add the following.
Squirt some motor oil in each cylinder, making sure that no dirt gets into the cylinders. Most overlook this even when changing plugs.
Get a socket and breaker bar and rotate the engine four times by hand in the correct direction of rotation. Some engine bearings can be ruined by rotating the engine the wrong way including this one. There is enough residual oil on the crank bearings for this.
If the existing oil seems clean, use the starter to crank until the oil pressure light goes off. Changing the oil sometimes creates a loss of prime and empties the filter adapter. A good technique is to remove the existing oil filter and refill it as it is probably empty.
If the oil appears dirty, change it before cranking. If the car was properly prepared for storage, this should not be an issue as old oil in the crankcase is just fine if relatively unused and clean.
There are mobile mechanics in the UK who could travel to the house and do this for you. I am sure that a Jaguar specialist would be willing to recommission the car if transported to his shop. Good ones of either type would know everything that we are discussing here.
It would amaze, however most cars sitting in a clean and dry garage can simply start up with no severe problems. Modern gasoline actually stores quite well all on its own.

 

a great thing to clarify, white hat !
oil, trans fluid or even some aerosol marine cylinder fogging oil prior to turning over.

very good.

 

You can try https://www.tomlenthall.co.uk/, he is well known, can certainly recommend him.

 

Many thanks all. I did a little desk research and had a number of conversations last week with various outfits and have decided to give it to Horner and Hudsons to go through it and establish what we are looking at. Will report back !