I e-mailed the seller of the 1998 XK8 with 113,000 miles. I asked
about any potential problems with hard starting, and the Nickasil
Pistons sleeve lining issue with the early V8. I have not seen the
car yet.
This is the reply I received:
‘‘The Jags are like most British sports cars in terms of
starting. It really is not a engine block issue. I had a BMW 528
with the nickel cylinder sleeves and starting had it’s own
protocol. With the Jag you MUST NOT GIVE IT ANY GAS when
cranking. If you do, you WILL foul the spark plugs and they must
be replaced. The actual issue is the cylinder sleeves will fill
with petrol and not oil - no compression. The other issue is that
the car should be started regularly or else use a quick disconnect
on the battery. The problem is not just Jags, it is common on
newer cars with a lot of electronic/electric features. They
continue to draw down the battery even while parked to keep the
alarm and memory settings running. If your battery is below the
power necessary to crank the engine fast enough, it won’t get
enough petrol and the plugs will foul. So either keep the battery
charged or disconnect it or use the quick disconnect if you are
only going to use it on weekends. I have seen the quick disconnect
referenced on a couple of Jag user groups. I think they go for
about $20.
Best way to start the XK8’s is to turn the key and wait about 5
seconds before starting the crank. This allows the electric fuel
pump to send the petrol to the engine. You cannot hear it pump
like on older cars (usually a ticking sound), so I wait for two
chimes from the warning tone telling me my seatbelt is not
fastened. Then crank the engine until it starts. Remember, don’t
use the gas pedal. Let the engine start on it’s own or you run the
risk of fouling the plugs.’’
I had to laugh when I read this because it looked like he was
trying to start my 1967 series 1 E-Type after sitting in the garage
for one month!
I did want to run it by forum members to see if anyone else has had
this kind of problem with the early V8 that is a normal occurrence
and should I get out the hand crank just in case the battery
doesn’t work, or is this gentleman BSing me which is what I think.
Bob Barlow
1967 series 1 E -type FHC
1983 XJ6–
67 FHC
–Posted using Jag-lovers JagFORUM [forums.jag-lovers.org]–
//please trim quoted text to context only