1st May 2008, 14:06
How much did it cost you to do the tensioners? I have been considering buying a 98 VDP and replacing the tensioners as soon as I get it home.
4th Jun 2008, 14:56
Amazing how much information you can get via a simple "google" search. I brought my 1998 Vanden Plas in because I received a recall notice regarding a throttle problem earlier this month. I brought it in after making an appointment for the specific problem and learned, after an hour and a half service review that they didn't have the part in stock. However... they did identify $2,500 in other maintenance I needed - mostly wear and tear stuff. I left it there and they gave me a free loaner car. The following day I got a call from the service manager telling me that my cam chain tensioners needed to be replaced - estimate of $1,600. I told him I would expect a Jaguar motor to last longer than 54,000 miles without this type of problem. He said he'd "see if Jaguar would do anything..." I googled Jaguar Cam Chain Tensioner and got to this site within a split second. We'll see what the factory offers - I'm not going to put over $4,000 in a car I'd be lucky to get $6,000 for on trade. In light of the factory's knowledge of a problem like this with a $70,000 car this should be fixed at no-charge. If it is not, I would advise any and everyone I ever speak to to never consider purchasing a Jaguar.
10th Dec 2008, 11:20
I would like to hear more from anyone considering or involved in a class action against Jaguar. I have a 1998 XJ8, which had to have the engine rebuilt after a timing chain failure two years ago with the engine at 80,000 miles. The near fatal fault developed immediately after a "full service", which failed to replace the timing chain. The rebuild worked just, and I have run the car since at poorer performance levels.
Now I am into the flooding and poor starting phase; not good news. I would to get a fair settlement from Jaguar for these clear design faults.
26th Jan 2009, 22:08
I have a 98 XJ8l in wonderful shape.. the price was reasonable, but it has 100,000 miles and is starting to breath heavy. It's one with the crummy block coating. I want to change it out to a small block Chevy.. Does any one know where to find a kit to change it over??? I was wondering if a new Ford four cam motor would work it it? Thanks for any help. Bill.
19th Mar 2009, 14:26
I'm looking at purchasing a 98 XJ8 with 133K miles - the engine is quiet, drives like a dream, started wonderfully - but now you all have me worried. This car is beautiful!
However...new that was coming, right?...The sun roof makes a clicking noise when I'm closing it. Any ideas? Should I just pass on this car and find something else?
16th Jun 2009, 18:17
Own a 1998 Jaguar XJ8L Purchased it on ebay and had it shipped from Houston Texas. Car arrived in Northeast Ohio in November of 2003 It has been almost six years now and I have been driving a dream. No problems other than a leaking radiator hose last year. Now with 91000 miles on this bright red beauty I continue to enjoy the drive each and every day. v (garage it in the winter).
Just posted to let every know that there are good Jags out there. I was able to get this one owner car for $18000.00 and she has been worth every penny of that.
Hope my luck continues. You only live once, so take a chance and drive the car of your dreams if you can make it happen.
26th Jul 2009, 22:22
I own a 1998 XJ8L with 80,000K original miles on it. I write this for all potential owners to be very aware of some real known issues with this car. Spend the extra money to get a 2003 or higher model. The 1998 to 2002 models have a few serious, one deadly, issue that Jaguar knows about, and passed on to the new owner TaTa from India.
The niksil liner failure in the cylinder walls can be deadly. What happens is that when the liner degrades, usually begins around 40K miles; oil blows past the rings and creates a positive pressure in the engine. This positive blow-by, blows oil into the air intake hose, and into the throttle valve assembly. When enough oil gets gummed up in that throttle body, the butterfly sticks and the car shuts down from a lack of oxygen through the throttlebody. This WILL shut your car down in the middle of the interstate at 70 mph. Happens all the time.
Also, the timing chain rails and tensioners are plastic crap. They will break, and your engine will have the valves crash into the pistons.
I love my beautiful Jag. I am putting a reliable Chevy engine in it.
1st Dec 2009, 11:17
I bought a 98 XJ8 in July with 97,000 miles. Very clean and beautiful condition. No leaks, ran great. Only one previous owner. Car ran great, parked it on Thanksgiving and didn't drive for the 4 day weekend. Got in it on Monday and it wouldn't turn over. Battery dead and couldn't recharge. Bought a new one and it still wouldn't turn over. Took it to my local mechanic and guess what? Zero compression all cylinders on left bank. Diagnosis - needs a new engine. (only 99,000 miles now) New and used engine costs more than the car 'was' worth. Now have to junk it or part it out. Anyone who is lucky enough to have a 98 XJ8 without any current issues better sell it immediately before you get hosed. Might want to play the lottery too since you're obviously charmed.
2nd Dec 2009, 15:13
At poster above on Dec. 1st. -- Yes you may have lost compression on all cylinders but you shouldn't need a new engine. It's what we call a 'washout'. Simply remove the spark plugs, put a few squirts of oil directly into all of the cylinders, then crank it until it starts (may have to use throttle at various levels to help it). You will get a huge cloud of smoke that will go away after 20m or so of running, then change the oil and you are on your way.
19th Dec 2009, 01:19
To the previous post. It appears you are knowledgeable about this type of vehicle. My Jaguar had been sitting for a while, I just got around to cranking it up today. It started fine, then I stopped somewhere and it just would not turn back on. The battery kept on going down, I would need to have it connected to another just for it to crank, but then it would just go off within a couple of seconds. What to do? What to do?
27th Sep 2007, 01:54
Hey no fair... that jag had it coming and I would have beat him if it was a standard Stang!!!