new to XK8 niggles

[boots1234]

Been a member for quite a few years in France with a 1990 XJ-S but have also just bought a 1998 silver XK8 convertable 60,000 miles. Trouble-free from UK at about 32MPG. Quite different to the XJ-S.

Have found the following niggles which someone may like to comment:-

Difficult to open and close car since FOB needs to be held close to centre of windscreen to work and even then rather hit and miss - is it the sensor on top of dash - changed batteries in FOBS.

Vibration over 85MPH - perhaps wheels need balancing.

Tried to fit new left hand dip angle brackets in headlamps but need to take wheel off to "get into" bulb housing. Cannot undue security wheel nuts - wheel spanner justs slipped off and a new box spanner sheared the two spigots (number 76). Barratt state a wheel nut set - does this include security nuts and special box spanner with the two spigots?

Nearside window sometimes stays down when closing door rather than coming up again after door closes.

Regards

[mike020150]

Hi & welcome to V8 motoring!
Here are some thoughts on your four issues. With the car being new to you, there is still the possibility that the key fob or fobs are at fault. Try stripping and cleaning the contact pads. After that, if the problem persists and you can't buy or borrow a known good fob to reprogram and test on your car, it would be sensible to have a diagnostics test, either using the full Jaguar Diagnostics equipment or the Autologic equivalent at a Jaguar specialist. These are not simple cars, electronically speaking and for most electronic issues, it's more cost effective to use proper diagnostics than to stagger along replacing component after component in the hope of finding the solution.
Other than out of balance wheels/tyres, distorted discs and excessive wear in practically any of the suspension ball joints and bushes/subframe mountings can cause vibrations as can gearbox and differential issues. Sadly, seized front upper wishbone bushes can also cause their pivot shafts to turn and damage irreparably the aluminium subframe. Consequently, you need to check each vibration causing possibility in turn, in a process of elimination.
The original locking wheel nut keys were rubbish and are better replaced by a set of later Jaguar or non OE versions. It is possible to find locking wheel nut removal tools on the internet and these usually work OK to remove damaged items without damaging wheel rims which is the usual result when chiselling off any damaged locking wheel nuts. Alternatively, second hand original wheel nut keys can be found on ebay or at Jaguar breakers. You'd have to clarify with Barratt's what they include in their kits.
The usual source of window drop problems is a failing battery causing the window to lose its memory settings. However, lubricating the window slides with a silicone lubricant sometimes helps if excess friction is causing the window anti trap feature to operate overenthusiastically.
Don't worry if the info above looks to be daunting. XK8s are basically reliable but, as with any model, in the absence of detailed information there is always a long list of possibilities. Mike.

[doug424]

Hello Boots,

I have a 1998 LHD XK8 convertible.

About 9 years ago I had vibration from about 60mph, turned out to be an eccentric tyre. The wheel would balance, all bushes good and tracking ok. The tyre was good when looking at it close up.

Tracked vibration to one particular wheel by fitting the full size spare in turn around the car.

Only spotted the eccentric tyre during another attempt to balance the wheel, and standing back it was easy to see the outer edge of the tyre surface moving in and out.

Good luck, enjoy the car.

Doug Barrass,
Ashford, Kent.

[boots1234]

Thank you Mike and Doug - most helpful.

Looks as though I'm going to "have to be" as patient - probably not the word!!!! - with the XK8 as the XJ-S albeit they are both lovely cars and I'm already enjoying and driving the former as I've had it for years. Passed 100% the UK MOT last month and French MOT today - can't be bad!!!!!

Thanks again