Car Guide: Jaguar

argatoga

argatoga

Can't Start His Wank
Joined
Oct 4, 2005
Messages
18,200
Location
Zagreb
Car(s)
'08 Pontiac Solstice GXP
Searching for threads is annoying. I'll post links to threads/posts for buying or repairing Jaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaags here.

General:
Rear view mirror leaking/not working? This recall maybe for you.
http://forums.finalgear.com/post-your-car/one-jaguar-ah-ah-ah-36352/page-7/#post1196576

XJ Advice:
Common issues, which ones to buy.
http://forums.finalgear.com/general-automotive/reliable-jaguars-23990/#post592182
http://forums.finalgear.com/general-automotive/opinions-on-a-new-ish-jaguar-xj6-40885/page-4/#post1198350

Manual swap (x300)
http://forums.finalgear.com/questions-and-answers/xj-manual-swap-38805/#post1094114

XK: Advice
Paddle Shifters (96-2006):
http://forums.finalgear.com/questions-and-answers/manual-xk-in-us-26558/
 
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Should you, like me, decide to take the plunge into a later V8 X308 Jag (not the aluminum bodied X350, but this advice also applies to the X100 XK8), here's a link with info about how to identify a 98-00 with an updated iron-sleeved engine. Basically, a green tag on the right-hand (looking from the driver's seat) cylinder bank on the engine is a sign that a Nikasil engine has been replaced. However, this says nothing about the timing chain tensioners which may still be plastic and vulnerable to damage. Read Spectre's guide first so you know what I'm talking about.
 
Labcoatguy, do you think you can post a picture of your tag and upload it via phyrefile or the forums?
 
I'll try....the gap between the engine and the firewall is pretty narrow, so it'll be hard to get a picture with good lighting that both shows that the tag is green and that it's there at all. Watch this space.
 
If anyone happens to be holding any service manuals (or other tech documents) for these in a computerized format, PM me - I figure while we're going through this effort, I'll put together an archive and make it available.
 
Provisionally, I have a lot of bandwidth and a lot of documentation now. Feel free to PM me if you need something urgently, I'll get it up online and usable ASAP.
 
Well, that's what Jeremy Clarkson thinks anyway. :p
 
http://www.go-lpg.co.uk/More_X308.html

Here's a more comprehensive X308 (V8) buyer's guide from an expert. It has a picture of the Nikasil-free tag.

EDIT: I looked at my car, and the instructions on that link are pretty much spot-on as to how to find that tag. It's on the crankcase at the very back of the engine near the firewall, and you have to remove the plastic panel that covers the coolant reservoir to see it.
 
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It should be mentioned that he is incorrect on the placard/tag being on all cars that have been retrofitted (I know for a fact that it isn't, though it is on 90+% of them) and that the placard can sometimes fall off - so it is worth checking the VIN number at the dealership to find out if the engine has been replaced if you can't find the tag on a prospective car.

Another note there is that he writes it from a UK perspective - most US-spec base cars are considered 'high spec' when compared to the UK/EUR models, so in the US, the X308 doesn't have such a large 'advantage' in features over the X300.
 
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