Evening John. My XK8 passed its MoT with flying colours on Friday. Whilst I was there the tester (who I've got to know pretty well over the years - 4 visits per annum will do that) took me round the back to meet a mate of his who was there having the tracking done on an 06 XKR convertible. Had a fascinating chat with him as the guy runs a high end car restoration shop. He was showing me the work he'd done on that particular Jag. Stunning paint job on the pearlesscent BRG. He went on to tell me about the job he's currently doing on an XK150. We had a really enjoyable conversation. Every trip out in these wonderful cars is an experience and that's a large part of the joy of ownership IMHO. For that reason, can't wait for the next (overdue?) get together. Cheers!
Greetings, John! Just took a picture of my "triple black" 1999 Jaguar XK8 convertible with the Sierra Nevada mountains and their record California snowfall in the background. Wish I could share it with you. Thanks for all the great information on my beautiful "Miss Kitty". I bought her 3 years ago with 76K miles. The seller found that nobody wanted her because the anti-lock brake light was on, and one hood release cable was broken. Potential buyers called the lopcal dealer, and were shocked by the estimate to fix her, so there she sat. For me, it was love at first sight, and problems didn't deter me from buying her. I asked the seller how much, and he said "give me $2,000 (approximately 1,676 GBP) and drive it home!" It took about an hour to get the hood open and replace the cable, and $100 to repair the brake control module, and she's running like a song. Thank you again, from Central California.
Great cooling system update John, this was very relevant to the performance 'recovery' of my '97 coupe when first acquired 2020. I ended up flushing the whole system and then restoring proper levels in the expansion and the wheel arch hidden atmospheric tank levels with the 'right' coolant (jags seem quite fussy on this point!?). I also ended up replacing the water pump, thermostat, and substituting the thermostat tower with the alloy upgrade as well as the 'octopus' hosing that lives under the intake manifold. I wasn't aware of the reasons for the deleted small bore hosing in later models so as always something new learned, like you have the dual hoses with pre-heat loop. Trust all good with you. Dave N
Another great video John, sorry I'm late to the party! That was very helpful, when I first bought my car 7 years ago she used a bit more coolant than I was happy with and she also had a whining slipping serpentine belt and it took me a while to realise I had a slight coolant leak from the thermostat housing that was dripping on to the belt and making her screech on starting. Thanks again John. Jon
I worked a lot at these cars and have rebuilt a motor or two and I really enjoy these videos. One point I'd make is consider swapping out water based coolant for Evans or similar, My current XK8 was swapped when I first got it a few years back and it is a saviour for the cooling system as it ages.
Hi John Thank you so much for your videos, like from father to sons lessons. I wondered indeed why there is not max line, or the y y y y y my mechanic doesn’t answer. And here is the answer ! Fantastic. So I have refilled the tank, which means I have a leakage somewhere 1/2 litre per year per 3000miles. and fully agree with your vidéo don’t buy an XK8. This car requires the owner to be in symbiosis, comprehensive, always lessening the engine’s beats. Marc (FR)
Hi Marc. Glad the video helped. Although ideally you should lose no water. 3000 miles on 1/2 a litre suggests something leaky rather than more worrying things like head gaskets. if you cant see any wet spots under the car after letting her idle for 15 minutes and then cooling down. Then I would start with a new cap.
Hi John, that stub on the header tank really got me thinking when I got her... took some research and comparison of available data to verify that my 2003 isn't supposed to have those 2 hoses!
Yes it throws a lot of people who think that maybe they have bought a tank with a badly molded pipe outlet. Should I drill it? Where would I connect it to?😁
That's a timely video John. From time to time I get a low coolant warning, so I've topped it up, about 1.5" below where I now know it should be!! I know there is not much in the tank in the wheelarch either. Will be topping it up properly tomorrow and we'll see what happens. Think I may replace the cap simply as a precaution. Cheers!
Much needed video - thank you! I'm guessing much of this would apply to my XKR. (Also, a friendly reminder, you may have forgotten to add the word 'coolant' to the video title)
Great video. Maybe it’s just me but I would really love seeing a future video geeking out over the specifics of the coolant flow routing diagram (in the technical guide on page 34) and the thinking behind the original (overkill) 2-bleeder-hose fast warm up system and why the system still works fine with one bleeder line gone/blocked off.
I had to replace my tank because it was cracked on the bottom. Took me awhile to find leak as it drips to channel at bottom of engine and ran a bit. No real problem to replace, but was showing low coolant on a regular basis.
I always had a low coolant warning on my dash despite changing the header tank. I was led to believe it was a sensor to the front of the engine? And not to do with that part of the cooling system
I suppose a breakfast club meet at Gaydon is a fair way from you, was thinking of popping along to one once the weather's warmer, its about 90 ish each way, but great to strech the old Jags feet a bit😅
Its about a 100 each way for me, but in many ways the easiest as I would not have to organise anything other than maybe asking the organisers if they could allocate a particular space for us to gathers together
Bonjour John, I send you an e-mail about the mystery "Jaguar Boot" option on the XK8 and XKR. Can you check it on your mail box ? I do many searches and didn't find a single pic of this. Sincerely Antoine (FRANCE)
Hi Antoine. Sorry. Not been ignoring you. Just a LOT of emails in the inbox. It was a very rare option. Ive seen 2 in XJS's and only one ever on an XK8. I also cant find any images. From memory the seat base was replaced with a board covered in a leather the sam colour as the seats. It also had aluminium extruded strips with black rubber inserts on the base , to stop the leather being scuffed. The seat back was replaced with a board trimmed in the same carpet as the car. There were also two leather straps with buckles attached to the vertical pannel. I am assuming that this was a genuine option rather than an owners very nice mod. Does any of our other subscribers have any Rear seat delete option pictures? If so send to john@tothe garage .co.uk and i will forward them to Antoine
@@ToTheGarage I know John, too much emails in the inbox. Thanks for your answer !!! I can't expect a better one : clear and precise as always. And I'm pretty sure we will get pics from subscribers of the channel.
Hi John, question - what would happen if the tank was over filled? Would it just fill to atmospheric tank and leak the overfill or create other issues? I haven’t done this, but mine was lower than it should have been so topped up… used on a long trip but haven’t checked since.
Hi Andrew. I want to go to a couple of jag breakfast club events this year but not set any dates because my work is so random (Geographically). also want to do a TTG gathering and options would include. At the breakfast club. Lincolnshire bubble car museum. Cadwell park, and a couple of offers for a venue from fellow subscribers. 🤔
@@ToTheGarage yes little bit deep, between Machines and Firewall. There ist a three way "Cross" . there is a hose connection with a strange holder. behind it it drips.😔
@@ToTheGarage hi John I’m very well thanks. I went to a car and bike café today in the xkr and found a treasure trove of classic cars of all ages. Had my hand shaken by a chap on how beautiful and well kept my car was only for him to point out his car. Maserati 🤷♂️ 😂😂
Evening John.
My XK8 passed its MoT with flying colours on Friday. Whilst I was there the tester (who I've got to know pretty well over the years - 4 visits per annum will do that) took me round the back to meet a mate of his who was there having the tracking done on an 06 XKR convertible.
Had a fascinating chat with him as the guy runs a high end car restoration shop. He was showing me the work he'd done on that particular Jag. Stunning paint job on the pearlesscent BRG. He went on to tell me about the job he's currently doing on an XK150. We had a really enjoyable conversation.
Every trip out in these wonderful cars is an experience and that's a large part of the joy of ownership IMHO. For that reason, can't wait for the next (overdue?) get together. Cheers!
Greetings, John!
Just took a picture of my "triple black" 1999 Jaguar XK8 convertible with the Sierra Nevada mountains and their record California snowfall in the background. Wish I could share it with you.
Thanks for all the great information on my beautiful "Miss Kitty". I bought her 3 years ago with 76K miles. The seller found that nobody wanted her because the anti-lock brake light was on, and one hood release cable was broken. Potential buyers called the lopcal dealer, and were shocked by the estimate to fix her, so there she sat. For me, it was love at first sight, and problems didn't deter me from buying her. I asked the seller how much, and he said "give me $2,000 (approximately 1,676 GBP) and drive it home!" It took about an hour to get the hood open and replace the cable, and $100 to repair the brake control module, and she's running like a song.
Thank you again, from Central California.
Other people's fear, is your discount Buckshot Cake.
If you want to send me a picture, use john@tothegarage.co.uk 👍
Great cooling system update John, this was very relevant to the performance 'recovery' of my '97 coupe when first acquired 2020. I ended up flushing the whole system and then restoring proper levels in the expansion and the wheel arch hidden atmospheric tank levels with the 'right' coolant (jags seem quite fussy on this point!?). I also ended up replacing the water pump, thermostat, and substituting the thermostat tower with the alloy upgrade as well as the 'octopus' hosing that lives under the intake manifold.
I wasn't aware of the reasons for the deleted small bore hosing in later models so as always something new learned, like you have the dual hoses with pre-heat loop. Trust all good with you. Dave N
Superb thanks Dave N
Another great video John, sorry I'm late to the party! That was very helpful, when I first bought my car 7 years ago she used a bit more coolant than I was happy with and she also had a whining slipping serpentine belt and it took me a while to realise I had a slight coolant leak from the thermostat housing that was dripping on to the belt and making her screech on starting.
Thanks again John.
Jon
Excellent work (again) John; much learned, much appreciated!
Thanks John
Excellent video John. Something I never knew, I guess that’s why it’s a secret. I’m going to share it with a friend who also has an xk8. Cheers.
I worked a lot at these cars and have rebuilt a motor or two and I really enjoy these videos. One point I'd make is consider swapping out water based coolant for Evans or similar, My current XK8 was swapped when I first got it a few years back and it is a saviour for the cooling system as it ages.
Great suggestion! Might have to look into waterless coolants more closely🤔
Fascinating stuff John thank you
Another great video and very useful thanks John
I don’t know what brought me here but I’m now looking at xk8 on eBay !
😁🤣They are an addiction Graeme. Just think yourself lucky you got to this age prior to being affected.👍
@@ToTheGarage ha ha I have a nice mx5 but I really fancy something a bit tasty if you know what I mean !!
Yup👍
Hi John
Thank you so much for your videos, like from father to sons lessons.
I wondered indeed why there is not max line, or the y y y y y my mechanic doesn’t answer. And here is the answer ! Fantastic. So I have refilled the tank, which means I have a leakage somewhere 1/2 litre per year per 3000miles.
and fully agree with your vidéo don’t buy an XK8. This car requires the owner to be in symbiosis, comprehensive, always lessening the engine’s beats. Marc (FR)
Hi Marc. Glad the video helped. Although ideally you should lose no water. 3000 miles on 1/2 a litre suggests something leaky rather than more worrying things like head gaskets. if you cant see any wet spots under the car after letting her idle for 15 minutes and then cooling down. Then I would start with a new cap.
@@ToTheGarage thanks John. How can we check the bottle behind the left wheel ? Need to remove the wheel ?
Hi John, that stub on the header tank really got me thinking when I got her... took some research and comparison of available data to verify that my 2003 isn't supposed to have those 2 hoses!
Yes it throws a lot of people who think that maybe they have bought a tank with a badly molded pipe outlet. Should I drill it? Where would I connect it to?😁
That's a timely video John. From time to time I get a low coolant warning, so I've topped it up, about 1.5" below where I now know it should be!! I know there is not much in the tank in the wheelarch either. Will be topping it up properly tomorrow and we'll see what happens. Think I may replace the cap simply as a precaution. Cheers!
Another great video full of information. Thanks John.
Much needed video - thank you! I'm guessing much of this would apply to my XKR. (Also, a friendly reminder, you may have forgotten to add the word 'coolant' to the video title)
Glad it was helpful!
I always wondered how much coolant to put in. Now I know. Thanks John 👍
No problem mate. 👍
Great video. Maybe it’s just me but I would really love seeing a future video geeking out over the specifics of the coolant flow routing diagram (in the technical guide on page 34) and the thinking behind the original (overkill) 2-bleeder-hose fast warm up system and why the system still works fine with one bleeder line gone/blocked off.
I had to replace my tank because it was cracked on the bottom. Took me awhile to find leak as it drips to channel at bottom of engine and ran a bit. No real problem to replace, but was showing low coolant on a regular basis.
I always had a low coolant warning on my dash despite changing the header tank. I was led to believe it was a sensor to the front of the engine? And not to do with that part of the cooling system
Very informative John.
Thanks Matt
I suppose a breakfast club meet at Gaydon is a fair way from you, was thinking of popping along to one once the weather's warmer, its about 90 ish each way, but great to strech the old Jags feet a bit😅
Its about a 100 each way for me, but in many ways the easiest as I would not have to organise anything other than maybe asking the organisers if they could allocate a particular space for us to gathers together
Yes probably good to have us out of the way in one location, us rowdy X100 owners eh😅
Hi John, a meeting at breakfast club at Gaydon - count me in…
Interesting, does a 2011 X150 XKR, have this or a modified system . Not that I have a problem , but just interested to know. So informative 👍
Bonjour John,
I send you an e-mail about the mystery "Jaguar Boot" option on the XK8 and XKR. Can you check it on your mail box ?
I do many searches and didn't find a single pic of this.
Sincerely
Antoine (FRANCE)
Hi Antoine. Sorry. Not been ignoring you. Just a LOT of emails in the inbox.
It was a very rare option. Ive seen 2 in XJS's and only one ever on an XK8. I also cant find any images. From memory the seat base was replaced with a board covered in a leather the sam colour as the seats. It also had aluminium extruded strips with black rubber inserts on the base , to stop the leather being scuffed.
The seat back was replaced with a board trimmed in the same carpet as the car. There were also two leather straps with buckles attached to the vertical pannel.
I am assuming that this was a genuine option rather than an owners very nice mod.
Does any of our other subscribers have any Rear seat delete option pictures?
If so send to john@tothe garage .co.uk and i will forward them to Antoine
@@ToTheGarage I know John, too much emails in the inbox.
Thanks for your answer !!!
I can't expect a better one : clear and precise as always.
And I'm pretty sure we will get pics from subscribers of the channel.
hi , today I discovered a leak in the firewall behind the container. there at the three-way distributor. it's very difficult to get there.
Who knew that little tank had so many secrets 🙂. Keep up the great work John
P.S
When is the updated Video index coming out?
Not sure yet. Im up to about number 80, having refreshed and improved the references all the way back to number 1
Hi John, question - what would happen if the tank was over filled? Would it just fill to atmospheric tank and leak the overfill or create other issues?
I haven’t done this, but mine was lower than it should have been so topped up… used on a long trip but haven’t checked since.
Absolutely no negative consequences other than a puddle behind your front wheel John👍
Good question.
Any car shows planned yet John?
Hi Andrew.
I want to go to a couple of jag breakfast club events this year but not set any dates because my work is so random (Geographically). also want to do a TTG gathering and options would include. At the breakfast club. Lincolnshire bubble car museum. Cadwell park, and a couple of offers for a venue from fellow subscribers. 🤔
@@ToTheGarage yeh, be good to meet up again John, like you, my work is rather random and always a but tricky setting dates
Count me in (work commitments permitting).
@@ToTheGarage Hi. Would be great to meet up. Certainly count me in (date permitting)👍
Coolant leaks out there. Not much, but something every day. Shit.
Is this where the pipe comes out the back of the header tank but alittle furthur down the pipe Udo?
@@ToTheGarage yes little bit deep, between Machines and Firewall. There ist a three way "Cross" . there is a hose connection with a strange holder. behind it it drips.😔
Thanks John, Eloise didn’t tell that
Hi John.
Hi Steven. How are you my friend
@@ToTheGarage hi John I’m very well thanks. I went to a car and bike café today in the xkr and found a treasure trove of classic cars of all ages. Had my hand shaken by a chap on how beautiful and well kept my car was only for him to point out his car. Maserati 🤷♂️ 😂😂
@@stevenslight2607
Nice👍
Ours always attract the RIGHT attention.