Jaguar XJ8 4.0 Litre

Arazi · 25 Aug 2013 at 23:30

I recently bought a Jaguar XJ8 4.0, it has 105,000 miles on it, full Jaguar service history upto 89,000 miles in 2005 and from then to now it was done at the previous owners local garage, oil and filters changed each year, so since 2005 the new engine has done approx 16,000 miles, the car is in very good condition, colour is seafrost, wheels unmarked, very well looked after it seems and was in the same family from new, all the mileage is backed up by old mot's and service history.

Now the engine in this car was replaced in 2002 because of the Nikasil issue, this was at 52,000 miles so the new engine is on approx 53,000 miles. My main question is would this engine have the newer tensioners on it? the engine number of the new engine is 0208210202, previous engine code was 9801212111, could anyone give me some of advice on this, would it be worth doing a full cambelt and tensioner service? what else would you get done to the car also, servicing etc, anything else i need to check replace, I have done some research previous to buying but would like some post buy advice from experienced owners, any tips and tricks etc.

I will get some better pics up soon

Hi all

Thanks

JRS · 26 Aug 2013 at 00:28

Jaguar engine numbers from that era have the year as the first two digits - the engine you have now is a 2002 (21st August 2002 at 02:02AM) engine, so *should* have steel bodied tensioners rather than the suspect plastic ones.

Born_2_Kill_83 · 26 Aug 2013 at 08:19

+1
You can always pop the cover off and take a look.

Arazi · 26 Aug 2013 at 14:26

Sorry for the late reply, but that's what i was hoping to hear, with the new tensioners on do they ever need replacing with them being the newer versions, i have looked around but cant find a definitive answer on other forums (Jag)

Thanks again

p1RATE · 26 Aug 2013 at 15:03

With the new tensioners you should be fine, the problem was that the plastic tensioners would crack leading to problems. with only 50k covered on the engine this shouldnt be something to worry about anyway and a non of these parts should need replacing.

Arazi · 26 Aug 2013 at 16:02

Thanks pirate, that was what i was thinking but 2nd opinions good to hear.

Born_2_Kill_83 · 26 Aug 2013 at 19:26

2nd gen tensioners = one less worry for life.

I recently had HGF on my XJR, the bill for it was £1400, by the time I had a new chain following upper and lower tensioners and a few other bits and bobs to unsure a bullet proof engine the bill was nearing £2k

Arazi · 26 Aug 2013 at 19:55

Born_2_Kill_83 said:
2nd gen tensioners = one less worry for life.

I recently had HGF on my XJR, the bill for it was £1400, by the time I had a new chain following upper and lower tensioners and a few other bits and bobs to unsure a bullet proof engine the bill was nearing £2k

Ouch, but i dont expect things to be cheap on XJ8/XJR's, well major issues not to be cheap

Born_2_Kill_83 · 26 Aug 2013 at 21:27

I spent a lot of time waiting to find the right car 6.5 years ago and a penny hasn't been spared since. Once you've "got the love" no bill matters. Saying that in 6.5 years the car has cost me (pre-HGF) a ball joint, wheel bearing and a brake pipe, pretty cheap motoring for a 60k car that's now 15 years old, therefore the 2K not making a massive impact. Potentially a 4 year old BMW could cost you a lot more.