Secrets of the Jaguar Xk8 XKR Ep 90 V8 ancillary originality.

[@robertpaulson7280]

John: Thanks for your videos. My wife and I had an XK-140 Roadster when we were first married and my wife LOVED that car. I completely rebuilt the engine and transmission including fitting .080 over pistons, a racing cam, hogging out the manifold to take E Type SUs. When I was done it ran like a Swiss Clock and would do 140 mph. One day a fellow followed me into a service station and said, "Hey kid, what do you want for this car?" The year was 1972 and I quoted him the exorbitant price of $1,500.00. He followed me home and gave me the money on the spot. My wife has never forgiven me! So, a few months ago I found a 2006 XK8 which had belonged to a woman who became bed ridden but wouldn't allow her husband to sell her beloved car. So he drove it on the weekends to keep the battery up. She passed away and he listed it on the market. It has 80,000 miles on it and the body is perfect. Its JRG convertible with tan upholstery. It didn't come with an owner's manual so your videos are a God send! Talk about secrets, if you don't have the manual you're lost. I've learned so much from your videos I lay awake at night plotting my next exploration of car. My wife hasn't driven it yet but I think she'll be impressed. Thanks again, Bob Paulson

[@ToTheGarage]

Great story @robertpaulson7280 thanks for sharing. I think that we have all sold cars that years later we regret. I would love to still own my first Rover SD1 Vandenplas, and my Nissan skyline powered Austin Heally 3000 replica to name just 2. But it made sense at the time to part ways.

[@MICHAELGLASSER-u5k]

I'm a realatively new owner of my 1997 XK8 which I love. Your videos are great and so helpful. ULEZ is beginning to worry me somewhat so my question is whether it is feasible to convert/upgrade to ULEZ compliance ?

[@greatbrit2334]

Hi John. Cooling systems are my pet subject.... I notice your 2 expansion tank cooling system bleedline hoses crossover...which wasn`t the original 1996 configuration.... However jaguar TCB 303-15 changed the configuration three times of the pipes routing depending on what year of expansion tank and radiator combination installed. if you havent checked then please do so before the hot summer. Later (at differing time periods)modified radiators and expansion tanks have blanked/ blocked bleed lines. but always the thermostat to expansion vent hose should be operational to bleed flow- its well worth while checking that line is clear and not clogged up by poking a wire through it. the same with the atmospheric overflow tank bleed vent pipe line and the expansion tank cap relief pressure opens at 1 bar .... I learnt the hard way living in a hot country with temperatures regularly in 40Cs, which resulted in boiling over overheating blowing therad and expansion plastic..... The XK8 with limited cooling capacity, hot operating temperatures and aging plastic needs regular checks to keep in tiptop condition...... recommend you all test your thermostat opening temp range and ECT sensor operating ranges are within workshop JITS manual limits too. Another point to watch is if the OEM temperature gauge ( NOT realtemp modded gauges) fluctuates lower on really hot days- its a sign the ECM computer has faulted electronics ie leaking capacitor and your cooling fans possibly not running...... be warned! check your fans run before hot summers... You can test your engine coolant actual temperature using the OBDII read out for real time......... but if you have a ECM fault it will still false read!! all the above happened to my old XK8 1996...... despite that the cylinder compression pressures are still in operating limits.... goodness knows how!

[@ToTheGarage]

Thanks Great Brit. Some excellent intel there. I will digest and then go examine Purdeys system👍👍

[@rnjbailey2264]

John: Several years ago now, I changed my t'stat housing on my 2005, which had developed a hairline crack along a plastic mold line (visible from the top). I thought I had covered all possibilities regarding a metal t'stat replacement, but nothing I found was listed for the 4.2 engine. It seemed that the hose routing had been changed, and there was no easy way to use the 4.0 housing on the 4.2. , at least from any Jag and aftermarkets sources in late 2017.

[@andyjones2839]

Hi another great episode, still get a kick out of waiting in anticipation for the next episode. Thought I’d add a little foot note regards the cost of the aluminium thermostat tower, it pays to shop around as I managed to get mine for a lot less. Teaching you to suck eggs I know but for me half the fun comes from researching and purchasing parts at the best possible price without compromising on quality cheers keep it going chap

[@ToTheGarage]

Good point Andy and yes I. think there are much better prices out there now

[@harryscott2768]

Hi John, Like Hooky, I’m getting the low coolant message, so will look at changing the thermostat.well timed inclusion to the video! Hope you and yours are well.

[@ToTheGarage]

Thanks Harry. Happy spannering

[@colingordon4]

Cheers John another useful video as always. It’s all going in very slowly 😀 By the way, I received my TTG cap and it looks and fits a treat and is really good quality too. Sadly I don’t look as sexy in mine as you in yours 😂😂 Keep up the good work Pal, its really appreciated. Thanks Colin 👍👍👍👍👍

[@ToTheGarage]

Thanks Cheeky Smurf. The cap is best when paired with a stripy Beard🤣

[@timshannon999]

Thanks John. Another really interesting video. Are you still planning a tidy up of the frayed fibre insulation material? Mine’s the same. Cheers, Tim

[@ToTheGarage]

Yes I am Tim. Just takes a while to get to all. these jobs and. then takes three times as. long to do when I factor in filming it. Hopefully soon though

[@TheJVCMan]

I am getting a low coolant error message. I believe its time to replace the plastic thermo.

[@ToTheGarage]

Cheers Hooky. Also check the header tank for leaks as this. is another common failure point

[@TheJVCMan]

for the algo :)

[@ToTheGarage]

Appreciated👍