I am finally in a position to get my ‘‘post divorce’’ X300 or X308 (I
used to own a '95 X300.
Well…I found a 98 XJ8 at a small car dealer…and yep…I am
anxious 'cause everything I read on the forums about pre-certain
date 01 XJ8’s filled with Nikasil doomsday stories.
The car has 140K on it with hail damage…cost is 2900.00. A
couple of questions…and thanks for the answers on my other one
regarding purchasing an XJ6 or XJ8.
If it’s made it this far (140K)…is the engine ‘‘out of the
woods?’’
It’s missing the leaper…he has a X300 with the leaper but is
emphatic that it ‘‘won’t fit my XJ8’’…different holes, etc. Will it?
If you are reading this and live in Minnesota…is there an
independent Jaguar repair shop that you could reccomend in
Minneapolis or St. Paul?–
St. Paul, MN
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In reply to a message from carjones1711 sent Tue 23 Feb 2010:
Well, I’m sorry you’ve decided upon the X308. The engine
should be fine, but as always, it would be best to know the
car’s history, mainly the tensioners, and water pump.
I’ve just eBayed the leaper, and their are listings for some
to fit 95-03 models, so the X300 leaper should fit.
140,000 miles is alot. Maby I could suggest a nice X300 :).
(not mine of course).–
Steven- Sold the Xj40 and got myself a 1997 Xj6 L
Jupiter, Florida, United States
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In reply to a message from Tophatchef sent Tue 23 Feb 2010:
I’m glad you’ve decided upon the X308!!! A blow by test is a
good thing to have done, but if it’s lasted this long, you
may be in the clear. Try to find a good used hood. The cost
may be about the same to replace it rather than try to fill
20,000 little dents. If no records exist, do a good check
over to know where you stand. Little dealers don’t usually
want to throw in anything for free, but it should at least
have good tires, exhaust, 50% brake pads and pass some kind
of safety inspection and smog test.–
Brandon St James X308 2002 VDP 4.0L
VENTURA CALIFORNIA, United States
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In reply to a message from carjones1711 sent Tue 23 Feb 2010:
178,000 on Nikasil and burning no oil here. Your engine should be
fine if used properly and given regular fresh oil if used for
shorter trips. Subject to the other stuff being checked/taken care
of, naturally, and there being no high-sulphur fuel in your area
anymore…
In reply to a message from carjones1711 sent Tue 23 Feb 2010:
I’d be insisting that the deal includes a professional
drain and re-fill of the transmission fluid (ask me about
‘GEARBOX FAILURE’ on XJ8s…) or a discount to include one.
If you get the ‘‘they’re sealed for life and don’t need
attention’’ line, walk away.
Leapers look awful on XJs, period. Please don’t fit one.–
JagFab, 96MY X300 4.0 Sovereign
London, United Kingdom
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In reply to a message from JagFab sent Wed 24 Feb 2010:
Thankyou, I agree Leapers are not surposed to be fitted, they are
not standard.
What is the fascination of most oweners wanting to fit something
that was never designed to be fitted, it’s like hanging fluffy dice
in a Rolls Royce–
The original message included these comments:
Leapers look awful on XJs, period. Please don’t fit one.
In reply to a message from JagFab sent Wed 24 Feb 2010:
I would never ‘‘fit’’ a leaper…the factory hole(s) are in my hood
where one used to be…so I want to get one. My point of contension
with the dealer is that he is claiming his X300 leaper will not fit
my X308 hood…from evertything I can see that isn’t accurate.–
St. Paul, MN
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In reply to a message from carjones1711 sent Tue 23 Feb 2010:
Well, the most expensive failures are Nikasil, transmission, and
secondary tensioners. So it’s a good idea to eliminate those 3.
On the subject of Nikasil it’s essential that you get a blowby test
done - otherwise it’s just guesswork.
It’s also essential that you take it for a good test drive and
check that the transmission shifts smoothly and no warning lights
are coming on. Particularly bad news would be the transmission
going into limp home mode.
You’ll also be looking at a fairly urgent secondary tensioner job
at this age and mileage, so make sure you budget for this. Also try
to be there for a startup from totally cold and listen for any
rattling from the engine that lasts more than 1s that would
indicate imminent failure.–
1990 XJ-S V12 Convertible, 86 XJ6, 01 XJ8
Santa Clara, CA, United States
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In reply to a message from JagFab sent Wed 24 Feb 2010:
I would never ‘‘fit’’ a leaper…the factory hole(s) are in my hood
where one used to be…so I want to get one. My point of contension
with the dealer is that he is claiming his X300 leaper will not fit
my X308 hood…from evertything I can see that isn’t accurate.
In reply to a message from carjones1711 sent Tue 23 Feb 2010:
Hi,
Take care when buying a replacement leaper, look carefully
at the current drillings and measure them up, as there are
many different styles of fixings available. It will depend
on what was previously fitted, if this is a first fit, then
its up to you!–
The original message included these comments:
It’s missing the leaper…he has a X300 with the leaper but is
emphatic that it ‘‘won’t fit my XJ8’’…different holes, etc. Will it?