The physical location of the the engine number on an XK8 / XKR is a vertical rib on the left side of the block, viewed from undrneath, just above the steering rack. It will look something like 0008182310. This means the following:

00= year
08= month
18=day
23=hour
10=minute

That's the built date of the engine, which has no direct relationship to the build date of the car. Just for your info, if the engine number is before 000818xxxx, it has Nikasil bores." Really important if you want to know the history of your engine !!

XK8 and XKR Parts

XK8 Parts - XK8 Timing Chain and Tensioner Kit

XK8 Parts can now offer for sale what we believe to be the best timing chain kit on the market today, this consists of the latest style metal top and bottom tensioners and the later alloy timing chain guides that were fitted to the later engines, these have been modified by the original manufacturer to fit the earlier engines. This amazing timing chain kit was featured in the Jaguar Enthuiasts magazine in Febuary 2010 and we have since received amazing reviews.

We can supply these timing chain kits to customers and specialists all over the world, so if you own a Jaguar XJ8 3.2 / 4.0 XK8 XKR or Jaguar 4.0 S type and value your engine we recommend you treat your big cat to this amazing product, do not delay CONTACT US and order today. For a limited period only we are offering an amazing price on this product of just £335 Plus VAT (if applicable) and shipping.

Hurry whilst stock last, bulk orders and trade enquiries welcome.
CONTACT DAVE @ XK8 PARTS NOW

Please Note - we can also supply the full seal and gasket set to complete the servicing job.

XK8 and XKR Parts

XK8 and XKR Parts Review - Engine Parts Now Live on JaguarpartsDB

A lot has been written about the early Jaguar XK8 Engines and the problems with Nikasil bores which affected some cars causing degradation of the bores and then loss of compression. This would eventually result in engine failure.

Consequently, many XK8 / XKR early engines have been replaced. The steel lined bores of the post 2000 model and onward year cars overcame this problem. Several years ago XK8 / XKR engine rebuilding services certainly in the UK were non existent and good used post 2000 engines few and far between. The solution was to obtain a new engine replacement from Jaguar costing anything between £3000 and £5000 plus fitting !!. Now there are various XK8 engineering specialists who can rebuild the engines at much reasonable cost and to a high standard. There are often good used XK8 engines available from accident damaged cars.

There are still a few engine problems that the XK8 / XKR owner needs to sort out. These relate to the replacement of the old plastic type secondary tensioners and chains and possibly the need to also change the primary tensioner and chain. If you have a pre 2001 car and the tensioners have not been changed then we would strongly recommend it as a precautionary measure. Depending on the mileage you may also want to change these on a post 2001 car but if your mileage is relatively low, just replace the top tensioners and chains and leave the bottom primary tensioner and chain. Some owners will just want to have all these components parts changed for complete piece of mind.

The recently launched engine section of JaguarpartsDB.com provides a good source of supply covering all these areas, engine rebuilding services, used engines (subject to availability), timing chain / tensioner kits and all the other engine parts you will need to keep your great Jaguar XK8 / XKR engine purring.

For the Jaguar XK8 and XKR Engine Parts List on JaguarPartsDB, CLICK HERE

XK8 and XKR Parts

With an XK8 with 8 ignition coils it is not that easy. Therefore, at a loss, I took the car to my local independent Jaguar specialist who then ran their diagnostics on the car and the result was that one of the 8 ignition coils had failed. With my car’s mileage at 90000 miles I decided to replace all 8 of the coils. The ignition coils are readily available (see below) and the job is quite straightforward for the DIY mechanic. My XK8 is now running great. The diagnostic check using the Autologic system really helped save a lot of time, head scratching and potentially costs. These modern Jaguar XK8 / Jaguar XKR cars are generally reliable but with their advanced electronics it makes sense to go to the experts to get the car back running smoothly on all 8 cylinders again.

XK8 / XKR Ignition Coil Replacement Solves XK8 Misfire

XK8 / XKR Parts Part Numbers and Part Availability:

XK8 / XKR Cars Up to Vin 042775

On Plug Ignition Coil – 2 Pin - LCA1510AB
On Plug Ignition Coil – 4 Pin - LNE1510AB

XK8 / XKR Cars from Vin A00083 to A30644

On Plug Ignition Coil – 4 Pin - LNE1510AB

XK8 / XKR Cars from Vin A30645

On Plug Ignition Coil - AJ810445

We can supply new and sometimes used on-plug ignition coils. CONTACT DAVE @ XK8 PARTS TO ORDER.

XK8 and XKR Parts

For cars built before 2003, the main problem areas are Nikasil engines, water pumps and last but not least timing chain tensioners and guides – potentially a costly problem if not checked and if required sorted out. The problem arose prior to 1996 as part of the XK8 parts design process relating to the V8 engines and the objective of reducing weight as much as possible using plastic component parts. This included the timing chain tensioners in particular the secondary chain tensioners.

In the earlier XK8 models, given the stress, heat and wear that this item has to endure sooner or later they can crack and begin to break up allowing chain contact with the metal inner support. This can then potentially lead to the chain slipping by a cog. A grinding nose on start up of a cold engine could be indicative that this has happened in which case the damage will have been done. Worst case scenario (chain slip or snap !) could be severe engine damage and costly engine repairs / engine replacement.

XK8 Upper Tensioner showing cracks and general wear to the plastic parts components.
To add further complications, there are also the lower timing chain tensioners and dampers which are far more inaccessible. These tend to be more reliable as the chain does not ride directly over the lower tensioner. If there is a pronounced rattling noise from the engine then these tensioners need to be replaced as well. Jaguar recognised the above problems and changed the design several times finally using a more conventional steel type of tensioner as fitted to the 4.2 XK8 engine.

High mileage cars may well of had their tensioners replaced but if not then it’s advised to have them checked and if required replaced with the later 4.2 litre type tensioners and guides.

There are two XK8 Parts kit options on the market just now but the key thing is that both should be genuine Jaguar XK8 parts to ensure the highest quality for these critical component parts .

The XK8 Parts kits are:

TOP TENSIONERS / CHAINS SERVICE KIT

Price from £140 to £175 + labour costs

TOP AND BOTTOM TENSIONERS / CHAINS SERVICE KIT

Price from £360 to £395 + labour costs

Additional parts may be required for the job as they can get damaged when removing the cam cover: These are:

Cam cover gasket: Outer Seal, Spark Plug Seals, bolt seals, variable cam sensor sealing ring etc)

It is possible for a reasonably competent amateur to do the job but specialist tools will be required as follows:

Camshaft position setting tool

Sprocket retaining tool

Suitable short Allen key socket

Quality socket set

To Order the latest 4th Generation V8 Timing Chain Parts CONTACT DAVE AT XK8 PARTS

XK8 and XKR Parts