1998 Jaguar XJ8

Faults:

Stalling.

General Comments:

I had the "stalling" problem with my Jag, and the fix was easy. Here is what worked for me, go buy a can of carb/throttlebody cleaner and get a small sponge (like what you would use to clean dishes, preferably with the abrasive mesh on one side). The issue is the throttle air-intake valve gets stuck against the side of the throttle body intake pipe. Remove the black plastic air intake, so you can see into the throttlebody and the valve that controls the air into the intake manifold. My car had black gunk built up around the sides of the intake pipe where the valve was. Hold the valve open, and spray in the carb cleaner and scrub off the sides of the intake pipe.

Once the pipe was good and clean, I reassembled everything, and I haven't had a problem since - 50K miles ago.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Don't Know

Review Date: 28th October, 2010

1998 Jaguar XJ8 L 4.1

Summary:

Still a great car, but would only lease due to the poor resale value

Faults:

The transmission totally blew after 85,000 miles.

I had to replace it at a cost of $4000.

General Comments:

This is still a beautiful luxury cat, however, they need to address the transmission issues.

I love how smooth it is, but I think it's more suitable for a woman.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Don't Know

Review Date: 6th October, 2010

1998 Jaguar XJ8

Summary:

Sure thing... Your 1998 XJ8 Jaguar is a piece of Kongo #@?!, Good Sir

Faults:

At 129,000 I had just had the car serviced for a major tune up and oil change, in which case I changed the oil religiously. I drove it home, it ran great, and I gave it a wash, detail and took it for a drive.

Stopped for gas, turned it off, went inside to pay for my gas, and returned to start the car, and it made a sound like King Kong was taking a nap inside the engine. I immediately blamed everyone. I blamed the cashier at the gas station for selling me bad gas. I called the repair shop for leaving a wrench in the engine. All wrong, the fact is, Jaguar designed a piece of %#@* that should be the target of a class action lawsuit.

I called the Jaguar dealership in another state, and before I could say "I have a 1998 XJ8" he says, "Your timing chain is broke, happens all the time with the "98s" Plastic tensioners!" Are you kidding me. My kid has plastic cars. If anyone knows of a class action lawsuit, give me a holla. I want to join the team.

General Comments:

I think Jaquar should have placed a disclaimer on the 1998 XJ8s: "Warning, this car is equipped with a self-destructive device.... Plastic chain tensioners." Or a Cereal Box disclaimer like Captain Crunch, "Toy tensioners inside".

Now I have an outstandingly detailed piece of junk with a sign in the window, "Will sell for parts". You gotta be kidding me.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Don't Know

Review Date: 18th August, 2010

27th Oct 2010, 10:25

You do know those things are suppose to be changed out no later than 100,000 miles right?

Same goes for BMWs, Mercedes, and anything with timing chain especially ones with plastic tensioners which is more common than you think on high end cars. Luckily, when you buy another OHC check to see if the tensioners are plastic. If so, buy the aluminium replacements. Dealers won't tell you this as then they would have nothing common to charge you 5 grand and up for. It's one of those "lets put plastic in that vital area" then later "oops guess that was bad idea, oh well, let the customer pay for it."

Any high end car with chain and pushing 100,00 miles, check the timing chain replacement and make them show proof it was done if not, don't buy or plan on doing it immediately.

In reply to 27th Oct 2010, 10:25

30th Mar 2020, 16:50

I don't have much sympathy with people that don't understand the maintenance schedule of their car. And let me guess, this garage that did this tune up was NOT a Jaguar garage but a generic grease monkey outfit? These tensioners are plastic to reduce noise and rattling, and must be replaced according to schedule.