1996 Jaguar XK8 Restoration Project and the Horrors

[@johnpalmer2969]

A big round of applause - well done, another saved from the spares department…. I had a 1996 and major engine failure, then kept cutting out, after lots of time trying to fix in a specialist garage - the conclusion was the ECU, however the capacitors looked good!!! went to someone who hopefully gets it back on the road. The silver lining was I now have a 2004 model…. and a massive smile… You have shown that with some time/effort and shear determination or deep pockets what can be achieved 👏

[@1960livvy]

Thanks for the comments - I guess the car had no love for many years however, it's service book is almost fully stamped Please consider liking and subscribing it helps with my channel and the YT algorithms that YT employ Thanks

[@adrianmichell2751]

Thanks and well done !

[@k144kev]

Nothing but admiration Steve I see you did the work in the portable garage. I know what it's like with limited space. I restored a 1969 spitfire MK3 25 years ago still have it.Kev in wet Devon

[@1960livvy]

Hi Kev, Thanks for your kind words. Yes it was a bit tough but its amazing what you can do when you put your mind to it :-) Coincidentally we were at Dittisham last week playing Warren-Warren, Thurlestone, Dartmouth & Downes Crediton all great golf courses.

[@DJWenlowe]

This is absolutely amazing work. I salute your efforts, so much commitment and determination delivered here to bring her back from the dead and she looks beautiful now 👍👍

[@1960livvy]

Thanks for your kind words 👍👍

[@kingfisherdecor5533]

Well done. I bought a 96 xk8 sight unseen and the first repair of many like yours was the ECU. Took it to a TV repair shop and had them solder in all 7 new capacitors. Never had a problem since. And now having sorted out all the rust and welding from front to middle, I'm in the home stretch at the back end.

[@1960livvy]

Thanks for the comments and congratulations on doing yours - I guess my car had no love for many years however, its service book is almost fully stamped Please consider liking and subscribing it helps with my channel and the YT algorithms that YT employ

[@stagnite2]

Good work. After 10 mins of watching my Mrs asked who I was holding on the line for 😂😂😂😂

[@1960livvy]

Yes, videos can be addictive especially when you enjoy the subject / content

[@stagnite2]

I was referring to the music.

[@1960livvy]

Oh - ha ha ha ha ha :-) @@stagnite2

[@semicaaltoid4981]

Thanks for this! I've got a 2003, but live in the dry SW of the US, so no rust issues. After watching this, I don't think I'll be driving the car in rain or snow if I can help it (smile)!

[@1960livvy]

Thanks for your kind comments and lucky for you living in a rust-free environment - there are access holes at the front and rear of the sills with rubber plugs that can be removed, if it was me, I would remove these and wax oil the entire sills plus I would remove the boot carpets and wax oil the inner rear wings plus I'd do the front longitudinals as well - better to spend a few pounds now than thousands later repairing rust There are a few other XK8 videos on my channel plus lots of golf videos - Subscribe to be notified of future uploads Thanks

[@semicaaltoid4981]

@@1960livvy Good advice! I've got some accident damage to repair on a rear wing, so I'll be curious to see if there's any hidden rust when I get into that area. If you post any additional videos on this car, I'll definitely watch 'em!

[@gerardbooth40]

Nice work buddy. Apart from mine being Carnival Red, that could be the twin of my '96 car! I, like you, have been through the pain of corroded sills, rusty floorplan, leaky capacitors, missing clips and fixings, broken/brittle plastics, etc plus rear dampers, bushes, full respray and a myriad of other tinkerings. She also has a full JLR/indie service history and has never been without an mot. My one big win is that the front subframe mounts and inner wings are sound. Lots of work and money has been invested. Was it worth it? Hell, yes!

[@1960livvy]

Thanks for your kind words :-)

[@stevebass3992]

Great restoration. I cant believe the amount of rust. I had a 2003 for 10 years in the UK and no rust at all anywhere and had 90k on the clock. Chain tensioners were never a problem on the 4.2, only 4.0

[@1960livvy]

Thanks for the comments - I guess it’s indicative of a car that’s had no love for many years Please consider liking and subscribing to help the channel and view one or more of over 500 videos Thanks

[@1960livvy]

Thanks for the comments - I this car had no love for many years wrt to the body however, its service book is almost fully stamped Please consider liking and subscribing it helps with my channel and the YT algorithms that YT employ Thanks

[@stusrollins]

Thanks for the video. I Am doing a Jaguar XKR. Will put the video up Soon. All The Best

[@1960livvy]

Best of luck and as I found the more you dig the more you uncover 😳

[@johnbeckett2624]

Excellent job, another XK saved from the crusher😀 I have a 2004 XKR and have had to weld the front rails behind the subframe, the front floors under mounting bracket and the left rear sill, only a little bit, I am glad mine wasn't quite as bad as yours. Thanks for this post, very informative.

[@1960livvy]

Hi John, Thanks for the comments and kind words, if I can be of further assistance give me a shout 👋 Please consider liking and subscribing it helps with my channel and the YT algorithms that YT employ

[@marioiacolucci]

@@1960livvy do new Jaguars have problems if so how does the company still stay in business sorry to ask but want to know

[@1960livvy]

@@marioiacolucci Please Note: This is my personal opinion and my comment is Not associated with any official stance from any manufacturer. I would suggest that any motor car from any manufacturer that has been exposed to the UK roads that have salt applied in the winter months and that have received no love / tlc from their owners will ultimately suffer from rust. If you do your own research for 27 year old motor cars for sale you will find a range of cars in varying conditions and prices ranging from basket cases for little money to pristine mint condition cars for top money. I would also comment that stuff has a finite life and wears out such as tyres, wipers, bulbs, ball joints, timing chains etc etc and will need at some point replacing and I will note even your Kettle, TV, Washing machine have a finite life ! I think that answers your question !!!!!

[@philipnelson8909]

.As pondering taking punt on one? Dang well done crackin job! I shudder think the hours!

[@1960livvy]

The whole job was about giving myself something to do and to challenge myself - This car achieved both !

[@martindobson8139]

Great Video Steve. 🍺🍺

[@1960livvy]

Ha ha Thanks for your kind words - Think I could do a better video next time now I have a bit more experience :-)

[@philippreece6174]

Superb review and was like watching my journey with my 96 convertible. All the same issues in the same places. A beautiful car now in great condition. Well done getting her back to where she should be.

[@1960livvy]

Hi Philip - thanks for the kind comments 🙂 Please consider subscribing for future videos

[@philippreece6174]

@@1960livvy Now subscribed Steve. Will look forward to the new videos. Don’t suppose you have issues with the steering reach mechanism? If so then def interested in that video as mines knackered and and a video of repairing it would be extremely helpful.

[@1960livvy]

@@philippreece6174 No I dont have any issues with the steering - What are yours ?

[@philippreece6174]

@@1960livvy the steering reach motor or threaded bar must be faulty. Motor makes noise like trying to work but the wheel doesn’t move in/out. Up and down works fine

[@thomasbutler5039]

This was fabulous metalwork! Do you have an English wheel or a sheet metal shop? I’m glad my car, a 97 convertible is in Arizona. The timing chains and transmission oil change are not bad compared to what you have done. See O & D Modural; mostly correct. Chains and tensioners take time, but not so difficult except torque on harmonic balancer and some specialty tools, on the internet. I disagreed with his guide assessments and bought the best, or highest priced, I could get. Again, great work.

[@1960livvy]

Hi Thomas - Thanks for the kind words :-) No English Wheel or Sheet Metal Workshop just a Small Vice, Big Hammer and a Welder :-)

[@awalk5177]

I have a 2005 XKR (one of the last X100's) in UK , and I am just about to start a refresh. Almost all extras are on my car, from 20in BBS wheels, Brembo brakes, interactive cruse control, etc. etc. Where do you buy the small items like the little oval covers in front of the windscreen, or for that matter most spares ? Now retired I need to tackle these issues myself of sell it.

[@1960livvy]

Hi, I honestly cannot remember - I did a google search and came up with a list of part suppliers and then checked their websites Good Luck

[@awalk5177]

@@1960livvy Cheers, thanks for the reply.

[@baataliepaja3930]

RESPECT!

[@1960livvy]

Many Thanks Please consider subscribing for more videos

[@davidnewman21]

Just wondering how you fabricated rear subframe plate and thickness of metal used for subframe bracket my next job, fantastic work.

[@1960livvy]

Hi Dave, the rear subframe plate was made from equivalent thickness / thicker material, I measured what came out. Because of the complex shape it was made in 3 sections with lots of cuts, welds and patience. Send me a mail address in my about page kzbin.infoabout and I will send a couple of pictures. Also please consider subscribing to help the channel grow with the KZbin algorithms Thans

[@adrianciesielski3173]

Hello there, sorry to ask about financials, but would you mind saying how much was the car in the first place and what was the cost of all those repairs? Asking out of curiosity as I have a 97 xk8 coupe, much better condition than yours was when it arrived, but still some work ahead

[@1960livvy]

Hi Adrian - car was £1,400 + £200 delivery parts we’re about £500 and obviously the labour etc is not costed because I did it and I did it basically for something to do Hope that helps

[@arif.susetyo1433]

how did you troubleshoot for the failed ECU Capacitor?

[@1960livvy]

Well, I'd like to claim the credit but I cant ! Before I purchased the car I watched a video from John at "To The Garage" link below where all of the symptoms on my potential purchase were discussed and subsequent resolution from a guy called Matt Arnold so armed with this info I bought the car and as you can see have completed the repair and the problem went away :-) Link to Matts Arnold work attached below The actual failed capacitor inside the ECU is obvious, there are not that many (6) to look at and the failed one will have leaked and leave a mess! Note: Your replacement Capacitors must be "Automotive" Standard / Quality Hope this helps Please consider liking and subscribing it helps with my channel and the YT algorithms that YT employ kzbin.info/www/bejne/Z2qQinSfbaurd6c drive.google.com/file/d/18zPfcGX4ib4oD5jRXWXRYZ3BEPT29hCQ/view

[@walterpepekay787]

Hi, mine is also a 1996 (#1165), a french one, and the rims aren't of the same model. Looks like yours have more recent rims than mine... What's her serial number? For the moment, mine is in a better shape (160000 km), but some work still has to be done, I wish I could be as skilled and courageous as you are! Good work!

[@1960livvy]

Hi Walter Thank you for your kind words and I believe that you can also become skilled and courageous to tackle even the worst jobs on any car As for the wheels your comment does not surprise me at all because I believe there are 22 x versions of wheels for the XK8 and I have no idea if the wheels were changed prior to my ownership and if you watch the following video, it should explain everything for you. Jaguar XK8 Standard OEM wheels V17 / XKR (X100) Modurol kzbin.info/www/bejne/m5CYgqKgjpecfNU Regards Steve

[@gerardbooth40]

Hi. The wheels are the 18” ‘flute’ type, which were an optional upgrade from the standard 17” ‘revolver’ launch ones. These were the only two types available from the factory in 1996 and remained so until the Milan, Paris and Detroit wheels were introduced as alternatives in 1999. Flute was discontinued in 2001. My ‘96 XK8 wears the same wheels and it’s more than likely that yours are, like mine, the original wheels. Great video, btw, although the looped Eine Kleine was somewhat challenging at times! I’ve done many of the same jobs on mine, but with the exception of the corrosion on the sills, my rust hasn’t been quite so severe. Most recent job was changing a leaky capacitor and will do the rest soon to be sure. Enjoy your blue beauty - you’ve earned it and I look forward to lots more videos. Thanks.

[@1960livvy]

@@gerardbooth40 Hi Gerard, Thanks for your kind words, comments and information. Not sure there will be more videos of this car (or maybe there will dependant on what's found later) but will be looking to pass it on sooner or later so I can start another project Thanks

[@walterpepekay787]

@@gerardbooth40 Hi, thanks for the reply. Yes, I'm quite sure the rims/wheels are original. For these 17", tyres are 245/50/17. Pirelli P0 aren't on the market anymore, and I bought General Tire instead, I was afraid but these tyres aren't bad, and for me in France it's the only one available in these dimensions...

[@walterpepekay787]

@@1960livvy Thanks Steve, and Gerard below explained it perfectly also! Hope you gonna have fun with this beautiful car. I do!

[@marioiacolucci]

Poor mans Bentley

[@1960livvy]

Sadly this comment is in line with your other comment and made from a point of naivety !

[@marioiacolucci]

@@1960livvy dude I'm so sorry the car looks great you did a good job the e type is another beautiful car as well I respect your opinion you how they say the Acura nsx is the poor mans Ferrari I have heard British cars have problems jaguar not sure about others love Bentley cars too rolls royce hope your not mad at me I didn't mean to day anything bad ima good guy honest

[@1960livvy]

@@marioiacolucci No worries 👍👍👍

[@1960livvy]

@@marioiacolucci Also thanks for watching and thanks for commenting - Much appreciated 🙂

[@garyvanremortel5218]

For more XK8 info see my XK8 Bible at www.tothegarage.co.uk/services-1

[@1960livvy]

Or more at my channel

[@uhn100]

Shame it's just pictures with no commentary so lacks real context

[@1960livvy]

A Picture speaks a thousand words and all of the other comments are positive 🤔🤔🤔🤔

[@dandare2829]

Why the music????? Totally ruined the video!!!!!

[@1960livvy]

You can always Mute, Turn the Sound down or Not Bothering to Watch !

[@mikebrickwork2407]

we are doing a xk at mo good vid music suck,s

[@1960livvy]

Yeah it was the early days of video creation and learning my way around what I could use and what I couldn't in terms of copy right, you could however turn the volume down ! Good Luck