new XK8 owner

[painter]

Hi all,
purchased my first XK8 last week , a '96 which seems to have been well cared for. Passed a Jag. main dealer check with a few bits replaced. (Has had exchange engine 6000 miles ago). Looks as though these are potentially expensive in the long run but can't imagine parting with mine very quickly.
Is there a web resource where owners can check the history through Jag. dealerships just to confirm service history?
I have also been looking with trembling wallet at timing chain tensioner and water pump problems. Would exchange engines come complete with these?
Nice to see the gallery, and hope to add some soon.

[mike020150]

Hi,

Welcome to the Forum.

There is no access to service history via the web. It's a good old fashioned foot slog to get the details. I.e. You'll have to contact each of the dealers whose stamps appear in the service history to find out what's happened in the past. Some dealers are cooperative with such requests, others are less so and may charge you for the privilege.

Without looking at the tensioners there no absolutely certain way of determining which version your engine has. However, assuming that the 6000 miles since an engine change were incurred this year, there's a fair chance that your engine has the desirable metal bodied versions.

Enjoy your gorgeous machine! Mike.

[painter]

Thanks Mike,
that's encouraging, although the dealership supplying the engine only logged through a part number, (no engine number!), and specialists have fitted without recording the number, so I have no idea if new or reconditioned.
(fitted Dec. 2005 - low mileage since).
Is it usual to hear 'bearing?' knock for a couple of seconds on starting from cold, or does this indicate a poor pump (oil). Can't imagine, or can't let myself imagine, it would be engine wear.
Chris

[mike020150]

Hi Chris, It's possible you may get a slight light tappet style knock for the first few seconds after starting. To be on the safe side, I'd recommend that you get a local Jaguar specialist to listen to the noise. Then, if it should turn out to be serious you stand a chance of a repair under warranty/sale of goods act conditions from your seller. Mike.

[painter]

Hello Mike,
pretty sure I have solved this. The car is kept on a sloping drive, and I have taken to rolling down to level and waiting one minute prior to starting. Have not heard the noise since. (trying to steer though!!)
Also have managed to check through service stamps with dealerships and all confirmed. Until I get the aircon sorted (new compressor on order but delayed ) I am continuing to drive my Saab 9-5 Aero which although feels slightly faster, is no comparison to the sheer pleasure of driving an XK8. Can't believe I've wasted so many years with alternatives.

[mike020150]

Hi Chris, Glad to learn that you seem to have cracked the problem albeit with an unusual solution! Mike.

[NormanD]

Hello Mike,
pretty sure I have solved this. The car is kept on a sloping drive, and I have taken to rolling down to level and waiting one minute prior to starting. Have not heard the noise since. (trying to steer though!!)

Try parking facing the other way round

[painter]

Always a possibility, but would that make it better or worse?. Currently I reverse up the drive (bonnet down). Which way would provide the oil pump with a reservoir? Anyway I think level is better, and we are fortunate in having the only 50 sq. ft. of level ground in the whole of Cornwall. (at the bottom of drive)