Dave,
As a long-term Jag, but new XJ8 owner, I would suggest that the four things that you need to look out for on early XJ8s are:
- Timing chains & tensioners. If your engine was fitted in 2002, then I believe that it can not have the latest metal-type tensioners which I think were only introduced from 2003. It would be fairly easy to absolutely confirm that by taking off the cam cover and looking. So, at some point, they are going to let go. There are plenty of horror stories of cars with 60k-70k destroying their tensioners with very expensive results. You'll usually get a bit of notice with slight noise on startup as the chains take up the slack, but it's not guaranteed. If I was going to keep the car for any period of time, I'd get them replaced. Peace of mind and easier to sell the car. If you do change them, current wisdom seems to be change both the primary and secondary chains and tensioners all at once.
- Water pump. If you haven't got the latest water pump then change it now. I don't know whether the pump would have been changed when the engine was replaced. The latest type pump visible looks different from the early type so it's easy to check without dismantling anything. And if you're doing the pump, then do the 'stat anyway. It's a £20 item and 15 mins to change it (5 mins if you're changing the pump).
- Gearbox fluid. At 85k, I'd definitely be getting the fluid changed. Again, current wisdom says that anything over 75k and you ought to change the fluid. I recently spoke to ZF UK who make the box and they confirmed that "sealed for life" doesn't mean that at all. They say that at 100k it's a necessity, and at anything over 60k, it's strongly recommended. If you take it to someone to chnage the fluid, I would supply the fluid yourself. You have to use Esso LT71141 fluid which you will probably be charged at £24 + vat per litre. At 7 litres, that's expensive! However, you can buy the genuine stuff at £6 a litre if you know where to go.
Throttle housings - there was a recall on early cars for them to be changed. Check that it was done if your car falls into the appropriate VIN range.
I hope that helps
Paul
I must thanks you all for your help on the matter of potential problems with my (unusual for me) rather hasty and un-researched purchase of an XJ8 , I normally got into minute details of what is and what should be , with any car I am not familiar with, in the case of the XJ, I drove it-----loved it-----bought it!!!! then thought, what have I done..... As it happens I am still very happy with my purchase, I have a car which looks great, drives great, and with some preventative money spent, hopefully will be reliable too. Next Tuesday, my car is going into the Jag dealer for the throttle body recall, which it has never had, I will be getting the other things done in due course--soon--
Would anyone buy other than genuine Jaguar parts if available, i.e. water pump and thermostat. and if so, who from for best price. I guess that chain tensioners are Jag only parts.
And once again, thanks a lot for all your help.
Many thanks Dave. (Greyone)
