The "What did you work on today" thread.
#101
Secured Air Box
I revisited the air box this week end. After replacing the air filter, it seemed like the bottom part of the air box was loose, and altogether did not give me the Jaguar feel I was expecting. Low and behold, a rubber grommet was missing from the bottom of the box, and the upper rubber post was sheared off. After fixing the post (gluing the rubber part back to the metal base, I was quoted $50 for a new one!) and replacing the grommet, the air box is now secured, and, in my head at least, making the car that much more quiet. Another job that most likely needed to be done just once, and is now off the to-do list.
#102
Well after patiently waiting for a call from the Indy garage I decided to call him. There have been several setbacks time wise and parts wise which have led to this delay. Parts failed to arrive and personal circumstances contributed. The two auto boxes are still lying on his garage floor, I have been promised ( for the third time ) it will be ready by this weekend. I am really beyond mad at this point, it was supposed to be a two day job, its now over three weeks! The front suspension has not even been touched yet, he is a two man operation but I never expected service as bad as this. Hopefully I will update soon.
#103
Oil Cooler Hose
This week end, I replaced the pressure hose off of the engine block to the oil cooler. The old one was leaking a bit, and making a mess of the bottom of the engine, steering rack and front cross member. Altogether an easy job. Just dropped the plastic under-tray for easier access, and have a oil pan ready for spills. I did not drain the engine oil as this line end up high enough with the car on ramps. Caveat: the hose I got from Jaguar only came with an o-ring on just one side. As I wanted to change both, I ended up reaching for my Harbor Freight collection for a suitable match. A mechanic's mirror came handy as the bolt and plate holding the hoses to the engine block are awkward to reach. Maybe a couple of hours, including cleanup. I assume this is thermostat controlled, so only a longer drive will tell me if this is the fix. Or just one of them...
#104
I replaced my radiator and the inlet air pipe (part from MAF to throttle body).
This is the second radiator I have had to replace in less than two years due to one of the plastic side tanks leaking. Both were Nissens, which is the OEM brand. The good news is I caught this one on sale for $169 vs. the $534 I paid for the last one.
The air pipe (hose?) was a little rough at the opening that goes over the throttle body, so I had to clean it up with a razor blade and sandpaper to make it fit properly. What ever happened to parts that fit right?
No coolant leaks and so far no air leak codes.
Next weekend I'll tackle replacing the part load breather hose. Trying to avoid removing the throttle body to do that, so more research first.
This is the second radiator I have had to replace in less than two years due to one of the plastic side tanks leaking. Both were Nissens, which is the OEM brand. The good news is I caught this one on sale for $169 vs. the $534 I paid for the last one.
The air pipe (hose?) was a little rough at the opening that goes over the throttle body, so I had to clean it up with a razor blade and sandpaper to make it fit properly. What ever happened to parts that fit right?
No coolant leaks and so far no air leak codes.
Next weekend I'll tackle replacing the part load breather hose. Trying to avoid removing the throttle body to do that, so more research first.
#106
Having fought an intermittent no start for several years and not finding any resolution I decided to replace the Ignition Exciter Ring, new one read 33.4 ohms, old one read 37 ohms, now we'll wait and see. Right after doing this I got a code saying my Bank 2 upstream 02 sensor was bad, replaced that with a Bosch 15627 sensor, cleared code, didn't come back and car is running better than its has for some time.
Also broke down and ordered new seat belt buckles, had glued the plastic covers several times, just to have them break again, came down to a safety issue, didn't want them coming apart at a time that they were really needed, not cheap but peace of mind is worth a whole lot.
Also broke down and ordered new seat belt buckles, had glued the plastic covers several times, just to have them break again, came down to a safety issue, didn't want them coming apart at a time that they were really needed, not cheap but peace of mind is worth a whole lot.
#107
Sort of working on the 2001 XK8 today. Just ordered the bumper overriders (both left and right) from Gaudin Jaguar of Las Vegas. They were $116 each.
It says they fit 2001-2004 XK8 models w/out supercharger.
P/N: HJE6504BC and HJE6505BC
Looks like there are different part numbers for specific models and years of the XK8. So, always look carefully at the compatibility charts if available.
It says they fit 2001-2004 XK8 models w/out supercharger.
P/N: HJE6504BC and HJE6505BC
Looks like there are different part numbers for specific models and years of the XK8. So, always look carefully at the compatibility charts if available.
#108
Timing Chain at 40K
Finally got around to ordering everything (hopefully) needed to replace my secondary tensioners. Also spent much of the morning studying up on the zip-tie procedure.
One of the tensioners had failed when the car had 57k miles back in 2002 which bent 2 exhaust valves and the dealer replaced the tensioners and chains. Question is what did they replace them with? Probably 2nd gen plastic but who knows? They now have 41k miles and if they are plastic they need to go. Will be nice to get it sorted out so I can trust this thing.
Dave
One of the tensioners had failed when the car had 57k miles back in 2002 which bent 2 exhaust valves and the dealer replaced the tensioners and chains. Question is what did they replace them with? Probably 2nd gen plastic but who knows? They now have 41k miles and if they are plastic they need to go. Will be nice to get it sorted out so I can trust this thing.
Dave
#109
Front Anti Sway Bar Bushings
Spent an hour replacing the front anti sway bar bushings today. Fairly simple job if it was not for figuring out what position to be in to reach those 10 mm bolts. Passenger side can be reached from the bottom, driver side from the top. Old bushings seem to have collapsed some. The new ones seem to have a lot of give. Funny part is how much lateral play there is the entire bar before tightening up the clamps. Now, on to a test drive to see if the (minor) low speed front clunk noise has disappeared. Wish me luck.
#110
What Else, Reduced Performance
Had a Po304 code # 4 misfire along with the usual Po1316 misfire out of emission specs codes. Replaced the coil, now have a Po300 random misfire along with the po 1316. don't ya just hate peas...
Onto all plugs and a fuel filter. See what happens. Rich " X "
Onto all plugs and a fuel filter. See what happens. Rich " X "
#112
I spent the last weekend stripping out the supercharger for the second time , this time to replace the needle bearings.
Thankfully this seems to have very significantly reduced the supercharger 'grumble' to somethign approaching that expected whilst at tickover.
The first time I did it 3 weeks ago, replacing the pulley and coupler had had no effect.
At least the second time only took 10 hours rather than the 20 of the first time!
Thankfully this seems to have very significantly reduced the supercharger 'grumble' to somethign approaching that expected whilst at tickover.
The first time I did it 3 weeks ago, replacing the pulley and coupler had had no effect.
At least the second time only took 10 hours rather than the 20 of the first time!
#113
Replaced the worn upper control arm bushings with Powerflex versions. Has tightened up the front end and stopped some noise I was getting.
Would have been a less than two-hour job (at my working speed) except one of the old bushings had disintegrated enough to get stuck in the wishbone arm. Still not too bad though.
We'll see how they hold up, but the installation of the new bushings was really easy despite the minimal instructions.
Would have been a less than two-hour job (at my working speed) except one of the old bushings had disintegrated enough to get stuck in the wishbone arm. Still not too bad though.
We'll see how they hold up, but the installation of the new bushings was really easy despite the minimal instructions.
#114
Good job, Mike. Glad to hear the front end bushings work went better than you anticipated....
My wife has been in Florida for more than six weeks caring for her elderly mother after she had major back surgery. My wife probably won't be able to come home until mid-October. So her XK8 will go more than two months without my weekly check-ups. Sure hope she is able to make that 12-hour drive home without any major issues....
My wife has been in Florida for more than six weeks caring for her elderly mother after she had major back surgery. My wife probably won't be able to come home until mid-October. So her XK8 will go more than two months without my weekly check-ups. Sure hope she is able to make that 12-hour drive home without any major issues....
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Jag#4 (09-21-2015)
#116
#117
Replaced the worn upper control arm bushings with Powerflex versions. Has tightened up the front end and stopped some noise I was getting.
Would have been a less than two-hour job (at my working speed) except one of the old bushings had disintegrated enough to get stuck in the wishbone arm. Still not too bad though.
We'll see how they hold up, but the installation of the new bushings was really easy despite the minimal instructions.
Would have been a less than two-hour job (at my working speed) except one of the old bushings had disintegrated enough to get stuck in the wishbone arm. Still not too bad though.
We'll see how they hold up, but the installation of the new bushings was really easy despite the minimal instructions.
#118
Powerflex - Performance Polyurethane Bushes and if you Google the part number (PFF27-202) you'll get the best price. The part number given comes with the bushings to do both sides.
Easy to fit, just push in. Use lots of copper grease.
Easy to fit, just push in. Use lots of copper grease.
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cyber3d (10-19-2015)
#119