As a newbie to the world of XK8 I am constantly in awe of your matter of fact and completely sensible approach to day to day maintenance. I am no longer afraid of the monster under the bonnet. With your straightforward tutelege even a duffer like me can do these simple tasks...Thank you for taking the time to share your journey, in order to make ours that bit smoother. Brilliant video!
22:49 One thing my beloved XK8 Jag has thought me is: Never touch any plastic part of the car, in or out, unless you have already bought a spare one and know that you're gonna replace it!🤓 Honestly, this works "Every Time"!
Really comprehensive and informative post. The comparison between the two intake sensor types was very well explained- and also the part showing what happens to the wire. That self-amalgamating repair tape has been noted
As you say at the start, getting the XK8 to standard performance beforehand is absolutely necessary - otherwise tuning and upgrades will prove less effective and exploit the weaknesses that you’re addressing. A very interesting and informative video and a worthy addition to your growing catalogue of insights. Well done John.
Have just done exactly what John has suggested only by virtue that I was told about the kack of cleaning the MAS sensor wire & at the same time cleaned & oiled the K & N filter-& yes a noyicable difference, Well woth the effortr.
Air going out also very important: check the cats. If they rattle very slightly whilst at idle, the material has broken up. Install a new one and you'll have a new car.
Very thorough and well made videos. I am doing my research on XK8s to see if it's something that would suit me. I have a 1997 C5 Corvette at the moment and am thinking of changing it up. The old Jaguar XK8 is one of the most beautiful cars ever made.
Hi Robin. dependant on your C5's spec it may be marginally quicker to 60, but as well as the looks, you would find the Jaguar much more refined IMHO. Both fine cars though
@@ToTheGarage thanks for the reply. I can't bring myself to part with the manual transmission. It's a shame they never offered the XK with one. On the flipside, had they offered both gearboxes, it's safe to assume the stick cars would be selling for double the money and not in the same price range anyway.
As with all cars, the best way to performance is intake and exhaust. On my 2000 XKR, I bought a stainless steel intake tube. The stock plastic one has all those baffles to mute the sound of the supercharger. Now who would want to do that?! Next, change the filter in the filter box to a K&N. I tried a cold air intake, but I felt it was getting too much air into the car. I also replaced the stock exhaust with, with all those resonators, with a CAT back stainless steel exhaust. intake and exhaust make a big difference. I also had a 1998 XJR with failing nicasil lining. I had to regularly clean the mass air flow sensor.
Greetings from across the pond... Manchester, New Hampshire US! Just purchased a beautiful, well sorted, black 98 XJR. I know this is the non-supercharged motor, but I'm sure most of the info still applies. Fantastic video!
just followed your lead and installed a K&N air filter and once the thunderstorm we are currently experiencing is past, I will take my baby (Miss V) out for a run and see how it has worked out for me. Rather than having to buy a K&N cone filter as well as a case top, I bought the flat filter which fits in the original case. The engine does seem to rev higher so I am really interested to see how much extra power I have. It better be good though, the damned thing cost me $150 :)
You read my mind!!! Genuinely filmed part one of how to speak OBDII (cheap reader) on Saturday!😮 Mine is a memoscan u 480. Video obviously to follow. So look out for that. I’m also going to do one on phone app based code reading.
Need more power, buy the XKR and have the upper pulley replaced for the 10% smaller one, Powerhouse in Chesterfield are excellent they did both my x150 4.2 and 5.o XKR with very good results, equally good results for the 1990's steel bodied XK(8)R versions as referred to in this video
To The Garage yes, it doesn't put too much stress on the cooling system (or other parts), it gives about 15 bhp extra and cost me just £350 for the 4.2 and a liitle more for the 5.o as that is a different supercharger.
If your engine is touching the underside of Hood, Engine and trans mounts are going bad... that was the case on my XK8 plus with new mounts they are shorter, with age and use they actually get sloppy and sponge like...
Interesting Robert🤔 May have to price up some engine mounts. Does anyone have a dimension i can check from new mounts to see if mine have 'swollen' if thats the right expression?
I would imagine so Knyppel. but I'm not 100% sure. certainly won't be any oil in it👍 just questioning if it may contain something corrosive to metal? the wire is very very thin🤔
The mass airflow sensor on the -04 XK8 4.2 is different than yours. Mine is integrated in the lid of the air filter box. There are now real wires, they are 2 rather thick metal pins. They were both clean and shiny, so I didn't bother cleaning them. I have my new KN air-filter installed and the Jag seems very pleased with it😁
Hi John, I follow your videos and excellent tips for us XK8-owners. Great job there! Why did you choose an SS exhaust system instead of the Adamesh system? Adamesh is 440£ and SS is 933£ for the XK8 4.2 2004
Hi Knyppel Dyna. Thanks for the compliment. I have had the system for about 8 years. Back then there was an offer on the SS and the price was pretty similar. I do not KNOW the following but:- one might suggest that Adamesh probably don't manufacture this system themselves? Both systems appear to be pretty similar. It COULD be that they are created in the same factory? All pure conjecture. I would not hesitate to buy from Adamesh given the price. I have had lots of things from Adamesh in the past and have been very happy with the quality and the delivery. The only important thing is that you get yourself some Loudeners on your Jag my friend. You need more burble than the standard set up can provide.👍😁
ou read my mind!!! Genuinely filmed part one of how to speak OBDII (cheap reader) on Saturday!😮 Mine is a memoscan u 480. Video obviously to follow. So look out for that. I’m also going to do one on phone app based code reading.
John, you got my '97MY color in this vid, love it. Quick question to you and everyone else relating to the coolant overflow reservoir, mine had a small leak along the seam (right in the middle), does anyone have a fix idea for this issue since this is an air tight system?
Why would you patch either one of the breather lines? It's just 3/8 hose. If you take your time you can submerse the fitting in boiling water and gradually cut away that brittle plastic off the barbs where the hose and 90° fitting connect.
Hi Viraf I agree with @FirmCat and @Detox. Its normal and as I understan it its related to the fly by wire throttle doing what it needs to do to check it can control the engine, Plus you have a large qty of fuel injected as part of the starting sequence and it needs to get burnt off quickly and completely. All normal, nothing to be concerned about.
They do respond well to better exhausts. And there is the hidden bonus of removing the excess weight in the original. However, as the originals are of an excellent material quality so the majority have their originals despite their age. Mine is a SS system sourced through Adamesh. Miltek always seems a popular choice. There are many systems out there but I dont have experience of them. I'm sure some of our subscribers will chip in with their recommendations on this. The key for me is to replace the highly distorted original over axle pipes.
Im going with magnaflow , but if your looking for bolt on , your options are limited , mina makes one , but its cheaper to have a custom exhaust installed
Fair comment. dee106ful. The issue is that most people won't know it needs maint or that the power has gone missing until you put it back. Thanks for getting involved👍
As a newbie to the world of XK8 I am constantly in awe of your matter of fact and completely sensible approach to day to day maintenance. I am no longer afraid of the monster under the bonnet. With your straightforward tutelege even a duffer like me can do these simple tasks...Thank you for taking the time to share your journey, in order to make ours that bit smoother. Brilliant video!
22:49 One thing my beloved XK8 Jag has thought me is: Never touch any plastic part of the car, in or out, unless you have already bought a spare one and know that you're gonna replace it!🤓 Honestly, this works "Every Time"!
Cant argue with that 😁
Really comprehensive and informative post. The comparison between the two intake sensor types was very well explained- and also the part showing what happens to the wire. That self-amalgamating repair tape has been noted
Thanks Paul👍
As you say at the start, getting the XK8 to standard performance beforehand is absolutely necessary - otherwise tuning and upgrades will prove less effective and exploit the weaknesses that you’re addressing. A very interesting and informative video and a worthy addition to your growing catalogue of insights. Well done John.
Absolutely fascinating --had no idea that it was a hot-wire sensor. I thought it was a little turbine. I learned something today. Thanks John!
Always happy to share and to learn👍
Have just done exactly what John has suggested only by virtue that I was told about the kack of cleaning the MAS sensor wire & at the same time cleaned & oiled the K & N filter-& yes a noyicable difference, Well woth the effortr.
Thanks for sharing John
Air going out also very important: check the cats. If they rattle very slightly whilst at idle, the material has broken up. Install a new one and you'll have a new car.
I have had that death rattle and its really scary until you work out what it is. Then its just expensive.!!
@@ToTheGarage you can get replacements on ebay, maybe £100? Quite easy to replace yourself too.
Remember boys, John does most of this with one hand.
Very thorough and well made videos. I am doing my research on XK8s to see if it's something that would suit me. I have a 1997 C5 Corvette at the moment and am thinking of changing it up. The old Jaguar XK8 is one of the most beautiful cars ever made.
Hi Robin. dependant on your C5's spec it may be marginally quicker to 60, but as well as the looks, you would find the Jaguar much more refined IMHO. Both fine cars though
@@ToTheGarage thanks for the reply. I can't bring myself to part with the manual transmission. It's a shame they never offered the XK with one. On the flipside, had they offered both gearboxes, it's safe to assume the stick cars would be selling for double the money and not in the same price range anyway.
Bloody hell ! After watching the vid I discovered I had a crack on mine as well.
Thanks John.
No problem Charles. And on the positive side, you now know you have found some previously lost horses.👍
As with all cars, the best way to performance is intake and exhaust. On my 2000 XKR, I bought a stainless steel intake tube. The stock plastic one has all those baffles to mute the sound of the supercharger. Now who would want to do that?! Next, change the filter in the filter box to a K&N. I tried a cold air intake, but I felt it was getting too much air into the car. I also replaced the stock exhaust with, with all those resonators, with a CAT back stainless steel exhaust. intake and exhaust make a big difference. I also had a 1998 XJR with failing nicasil lining. I had to regularly clean the mass air flow sensor.
Improving the sucking and blowing is always a great place to start on any car.👍
A true classic car in every sense! I have a b.r.g 99 roadster. Looks nice next to my discovery 2 and the triumph sprint 900
A nice Garage Todd👏
@@ToTheGarage Thank you much! Cheers!!
Your detail to physics John is rather delightful !
Excellent video, well informative as always ! Thank you for sharing it with us.
Thanks Nicholas. Too Kind
Greetings from across the pond... Manchester, New Hampshire US! Just purchased a beautiful, well sorted, black 98 XJR. I know this is the non-supercharged motor, but I'm sure most of the info still applies. Fantastic video!
Thanks Dennis👍 Congratulations. And yes most things apply equally to the XK* and R
just followed your lead and installed a K&N air filter and once the thunderstorm we are currently experiencing is past, I will take my baby (Miss V) out for a run and see how it has worked out for me. Rather than having to buy a K&N cone filter as well as a case top, I bought the flat filter which fits in the original case. The engine does seem to rev higher so I am really interested to see how much extra power I have. It better be good though, the damned thing cost me $150 :)
You read my mind!!!
Genuinely filmed part one of how to speak OBDII (cheap reader) on Saturday!😮
Mine is a memoscan u 480.
Video obviously to follow. So look out for that.
I’m also going to do one on phone app based code reading.
I really like this channel very informative glad I found it thanks a lot for your information
Very interesting. Have you considered making a film explaining what to look for when considering an XK8? Sort of a "buyers guide".
Thats a pretty good idea TR4man. I may have to do something about that🤔. Cheers pal and thanks for watching.
John.
@@ToTheGarage yes please
Need more power, buy the XKR and have the upper pulley replaced for the 10% smaller one, Powerhouse in Chesterfield are excellent they did both my x150 4.2 and 5.o XKR with very good results, equally good results for the 1990's steel bodied XK(8)R versions as referred to in this video
Thanks JNF. I have heard that the Pulley upgrade is a quick reliable easy way to release more power on the supercharged versions.👍
To The Garage yes, it doesn't put too much stress on the cooling system (or other parts), it gives about 15 bhp extra and cost me just £350 for the 4.2 and a liitle more for the 5.o as that is a different supercharger.
If your engine is touching the underside of Hood, Engine and trans mounts are going bad... that was the case on my XK8 plus with new mounts they are shorter, with age and use they actually get sloppy and sponge like...
Interesting Robert🤔
May have to price up some engine mounts. Does anyone have a dimension i can check from new mounts to see if mine have 'swollen' if thats the right expression?
Hey John, I have a question on the fitting at the end of the line you repaired. Is the 45 deg. fitting simply a fitting or is a PCV valve housing?
Just a fitting Don No valves in the pipework
XKR supercharged is frighteningly fast as standard.
what a British way of doing this: NUTS!!!!
💂♀️🇬🇧
Wouldn't some brake cleaner be good for cleaning the wires inside the mass airflow sensor?
It's clean and doesn't leave any residue.
I would imagine so Knyppel. but I'm not 100% sure. certainly won't be any oil in it👍 just questioning if it may contain something corrosive to metal? the wire is very very thin🤔
The mass airflow sensor on the -04 XK8 4.2 is different than yours. Mine is integrated in the lid of the air filter box. There are now real wires, they are 2 rather thick metal pins. They were both clean and shiny, so I didn't bother cleaning them. I have my new KN air-filter installed and the Jag seems very pleased with it😁
Hi John,
I follow your videos and excellent tips for us XK8-owners.
Great job there!
Why did you choose an SS exhaust system instead of the Adamesh system?
Adamesh is 440£ and SS is 933£ for the XK8 4.2 2004
Hi Knyppel Dyna. Thanks for the compliment. I have had the system for about 8 years. Back then there was an offer on the SS and the price was pretty similar. I do not KNOW the following but:- one might suggest that Adamesh probably don't manufacture this system themselves? Both systems appear to be pretty similar. It COULD be that they are created in the same factory?
All pure conjecture.
I would not hesitate to buy from Adamesh given the price. I have had lots of things from Adamesh in the past and have been very happy with the quality and the delivery.
The only important thing is that you get yourself some Loudeners on your Jag my friend. You need more burble than the standard set up can provide.👍😁
Did you buy the 'loudeners' separately and installed them instead of those from SS?
To
The Garage
John, which OBD reader do you use. I have a cheapo one and it makes more errors than reads!
ou read my mind!!!
Genuinely filmed part one of how to speak OBDII (cheap reader) on Saturday!😮
Mine is a memoscan u 480.
Video obviously to follow. So look out for that.
I’m also going to do one on phone app based code reading.
John, you got my '97MY color in this vid, love it.
Quick question to you and everyone else relating to the coolant overflow reservoir, mine had a small leak along the seam (right in the middle), does anyone have a fix idea for this issue since this is an air tight system?
I've had to replace mine twice with new, out of the box, reservoirs. Something about plastic under pressure and heat.
Try flex seal
Wouldn't an airleak show up as a high λ at the MOT? That's how I found out I had a leaky connector at the overflow pipe.
I think it depends on how bad the leak is
Why would you patch either one of the breather lines? It's just 3/8 hose. If you take your time you can submerse the fitting in boiling water and gradually cut away that brittle plastic off the barbs where the hose and 90° fitting connect.
It should do👍
Hi John
Can you please give me some advice?
My xkr when started from cold revs at about 1300rpm for around 10 secs before settling.
Is this normal?
Mine does exactly the same, so I'd say yes.
Yes. I have an 03 super v8 (US) , same engine as the xkr , it does the same thing
Hi Viraf
I agree with @FirmCat and @Detox. Its normal and as I understan it its related to the fly by wire throttle doing what it needs to do to check it can control the engine, Plus you have a large qty of fuel injected as part of the starting sequence and it needs to get burnt off quickly and completely. All normal, nothing to be concerned about.
great
Cheers Mitch
Mitch!!! Should have known id see you here lol
back at you my friend..l-)@@detox2778
Hello John, how often do you do clean it?
Thank you! :)
😁 I 'typically' clean my cars properly every two weeks or so.
Acting class does good on the wrapping effort...😏😂👍
😁
John,
My 99 does not have a MAF that looks anything like this.... also my cold air + K&N system is very cool but thats about it
👍
What do you think about a aftermarket exhaust? What brand
They do respond well to better exhausts. And there is the hidden bonus of removing the excess weight in the original.
However, as the originals are of an excellent material quality so the majority have their originals despite their age.
Mine is a SS system sourced through Adamesh. Miltek always seems a popular choice. There are many systems out there but I dont have experience of them. I'm sure some of our subscribers will chip in with their recommendations on this. The key for me is to replace the highly distorted original over axle pipes.
Im going with magnaflow , but if your looking for bolt on , your options are limited , mina makes one , but its cheaper to have a custom exhaust installed
John sorry but this isn't tuning this is maintenance....how to keep the engine on song but same power.
Fair comment. dee106ful. The issue is that most people won't know it needs maint or that the power has gone missing until you put it back.
Thanks for getting involved👍
Sounds rough!