Owned for 5 weeks and head gasket has gone

[taylor6632]

I've only owned my 1998 xk8 for just under 5 weeks and unfortunately it looks like i was sold a dud with a slightly failing head gasket. Had it tested and its definitely the hg.

Quote to do the work is around £2300 which i won't ever be able to find nor save. Is there anyone around the somerset/dorset area that could help now and again if i try and tackle it? I'm £3200 into the car but can't see it being worth more than £2000 with the hg on its way out and i can't afford to loose that money as it took me ages to save for this car

[J44EAG]

I can`t answer about someone locally to you, but you might consider the following idea.

Rebuilds are time intensive, hence the costs of repair. There are plenty of used engines around, some with reasonable warranty. Look on ebay or give Eurojag or Auto Reserve a call. A straight forward engine swap might provide a cheaper option. What you then need is someone to grub the old unit out and fit the replacement. Much quicker, less engineering skill needed and vastly less hours on the job to pay for.

Sorry to hear about this. The perils of elderly cars.

Mike K

[taylor6632]

The problem is whether the second hand lump is any better? Complete engines i've seen are going for like £2k upwards, unless you mean just buying the main lump and use all my existing ancillaries?

Its a proper kick in the nuts as i love the car and pains me to sell it and loose all the money i had saved up

[Brakebuster]

i am sorry you have trouble with your newly acquired car

that said, it is 19 years old, and one must expect some issues with older cars, no matter what brand they are

so , firstly ,
who has diagnosed the HG issue, what readings did they get , what equipment was used to obtain this info? this will allow us to have a more informed course of action , which bank has the issue etc.

these engine were made with Nikasil linings, and though the main issues are long gone ( since year 2000 ) they sometimes raise their heads ,
only a ' blow by ' test can diagnose a nikasil issue, but very few jaguar workshops now carry the equipment ,
if it is the HG , which bank , as you only need to repair that side, a stuck valve can replicate these issues, is there oil in the water, water in the oil, or either coming out of the exhaust , lots of things to consider before having a reflex action ,

with this info we can advise on the best, quickest and cheapest way to get you up and running again ,

your particular engine will be an AJ26 4ltr , without VVT i think , so look for similar year, a quick search of ebay threw up engines already removed from £350 upwards , caveat emptor ,,,,,,,

BB

[J44EAG]

Yes, I would obtain just the core unit. Ensure you buy from a decent source with a short warranty. A couple of hours or so needed to swap all the parts over. You don`t need to buy what you already have.

If you do go this route, flow check the radiator to ensure it is not blocked. You will also have to de-gas the air con and have it refilled after the lump swap.

A swap is quite feasible and is probably quicker and cheaper than a head job. A head job requires the crank damper, front timing cover, chains and tensioners to be removed to enable the heads to come off. It is a fair amount of work.

BB, I see also offers good advice. He has had one of these engines in pieces and his advice is always bulletproof.

Mike

[taylor6632]

Its got a new radiator so should be ok, just looking down the replacement engine route now as thing it might be better.

As for garage testing, they did a pressure and sniff test on it after what appeared to be excess pressure in the system inflating hoses and bursting them. More water looks to be in the oil and the header tank is now full of foamy white substance (oil/water mix?) after they pressure tested it today. Well respected garage in the area, good reviews for all types of cars.

Water pump is new, thermostat is new, most hoses are now new, new pressure cap on header tank. Everything else points to head gasket. They didn't say which bank it was though as don't think they did individual cylinder tests.

[Brakebuster]

ok

so as you say , highly likely to be a HG issue, especially with oil in the water, but you need to determine which bank, that will half your repair bill for a start.....

how many miles does the car show ? that would be a big deciding factor with me as to whether rebuild or replace

ultimately , the choice is yours


BB

[taylor6632]

Its done 137200, runs well even with this hg issue. The £2300-2500 quotes are for both heads and new chains/tensioners as its all coming off so may as well replace.

My thoughts on just doing one bank was that maybe it got hot at some point (hence new rad and hoses before i owned it) and the other gasket could be holding out but may let go at some point shortly after.

[Brakebuster]

personally ,

and its only my thoughts

i would get the work done for half that cost by replacing the engine and throwing some new tensioners at it before fitting .

a previously hot engine is never going to be right......and can't be trusted


BB

[J44EAG]

Vince is spot on.

If you remove the plugs, I`d expect to see two adjacent ones with perhaps a degree of wetness present. With a torch, you may be able to look down the plug holes and see clean piston crowns with a reduced amount of carbon being present. Water is a very good remover of carbon so if the head gasket has gone between two adjacent cylinders, the cleaner crowns might give you an indication of where the problem emanates.

If you have an endoscope, this makes viewing within cylinders rather easier.

The new radiator indicates a previous issue, I think.

Mike

[Brakebuster]

to add to my above comments

i run a V12 in my XJS , if these get hot they turn into large door stops as everything warps beyond use , and replacement is the only option ,

just giving you the real choices thats all ,

Mikes advice is spot on, and a zero cost investigation process ,


best of luck whichever direction you choose, and we will still be here to help

BB

[J44EAG]

Here is one from Auto Reserve. Contact direct for condition and details.http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/ENGINE-ASSEMB ... SwzgBYxRVi

There are quite a few on ebay for around £500. Always verify condition and mileage before buying. If you find a helpful fitter, I would have thought you could be back on the road again for £1000.

Mike

[Brakebuster]

Here is one from Auto Reserve. Contact direct for condition and details.http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/ENGINE-ASSEMB ... SwzgBYxRVi

There are quite a few on ebay for around £500. Always verify condition and mileage before buying. If you find a helpful fitter, I would have thought you could be back on the road again for £1000.

Mike

agreed

alternatively , for a little more money , but with a seemingly fresher engine
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Jaguar-XK8-EN ... SwCGVX95KP

BB

[taylor6632]

Spoke to a jaguar breakers and repairers in Bridgewater last night, he too recommended an engine swap and has one with history and about 40k miles less than mine.

Fitted is £1400, that me giving them the car knackered and getting it back in drive home condition. Including a 6 month warrantee.

I thought that was pretty good.

[J44EAG]

If you are happy with the price, the condition of the engine and price for labour within the quote, then you have found an answer. Ask the garage to guarantee the engine has had metal timing chain tensioners fitted and the water pump is the later type with the metal impeller.

Is it Swallows you are using?

Mike