Engine issues

[CMerino]

Hello! My 1999 XK8 Convertible seems to have packed up its engine. The garage says it needs a new one but I was hoping your collective wisdom can point me towards a better solution? Here is what they said:

[Big John]

Hi Caio

Those compression readings certainly suggest 2-3 cylinders with major problems 😞

Slightly concerned at the logic though as Oil level is high and there is no mention of possible coolant contamination that caused the level to rise. Did you get a low Oil warning and top up excessively? Were there any warning signs or symptoms prior to failure?

Garage obviously think Oil pressure loss caused issues but oil pump clearly still working as it could raise pressure. They therefore must think that oil level was way to low causing lose of pressure and thus the damage....

Do you have any DTC codes? Certainly sounds like engine needs a major stripdown to diagnose fully which may actually be more expensive than a replacement engine....

John

[N6 JMX]

Hi Ciao, I agree with John in his response above.

If you did not add Oil and the garage is reporting an overfill, then the most likely source is coolant into the sump, which cranking over the engine will simply have circulated said coolant around the oilways, not a good outcome.

The report does contradict itself of course, in the beginning the Oil level is above maximum (substantially) and it concludes that the Oil level is way below the minimum mark. Which is it?

Irrespective of the oil levels, the compression test is saying that the cylinders are beyond saving. If you have access to a suitable inspection bore camera, it would be interesting to have a look inside the cylinders reading "0 PSI" (zero) as that would tend to suggest there are holes in the pistons and not merely damaged rings.

The slow cranking even under boost conditions would also indicate that the engine seized ahead of failing - what were the symptoms the last time the car was driving properly? What caused you to take the car in for investigation.

A new engine, well second-hand, should not cost the earth but labour will be substantial. It probably depends what value you think is in the car and how long you intend to keep the car in your possession.

N6 JMX

[CMerino]

Thank you @N6 JMX and @Big John

The car is actually my father-in-law’s…

He was driving the car on the motorway when it died. There were no signs of any previous issues. The car was towed away back to his drive. I topped up the Oil in the hope of pressure coming up as he mentioned a small puddle under the car when on the hard shoulder but the Oil gauge still didn’t move so we left it to the garage. He had topped up with a couple of litres ahead of the drive that morning hence it then being overfilled in the end so no reason to think there is any coolant contamination necessarily.

The car is at Robert Cockings in Somerset, a reputable garage as far as I understand.

The problem with sourcing a 2nd hand engine is not knowing how good it is. I’m inclined to recommend an engine rebuild and upgraded components if he wants to keep the car. What are your thoughts? And any recommendations on who could do this?

He’s had the car restored and resprayed from bare metal (not the best job I’ve seen…), new/rebuilt gearbox, new roof canvas and mechanism and hoses sorted out, seats partially reupholstered and treated… mechanically the car is sorted otherwise so it is unfortunate. Scrapping it seems a shame as he likes the car and getting a new one there’s no guarantee of what he will be buy into, right?

 

[Big John]

With the potential damage to the old girl, my head say it is probably sensible to move on 😞

A quick look on Autotrader and other sites suggest a like for like replacement at between £2k and 12k depending on mileage and condition. Just a guess but you are almost certainly looking at north of £5k for a rebuild. However if you swap it, you are then buying an unknown and he has already invested heavily in the car so sorting the engine may be the best route. Bottom line is how much is it worth to him and can he afford the repairs? If he can I would start looking at an engine rebuild (I rescued a 2003 X-Type with 26k miles from this site for fun - and £250 and spent around £2k on sorting it (body and sills) but now have a car  which I will keep as long as I can. Essentially one for the heart v head v wallet to sort
🙂

A quick search through Google suggests the garage the car is already at is probably as good as any in the area so I would be inclined to be guided by them. Good Luck, and keeping my fingers crossed you decide to "pay the vet bill" for the old cat...

[N6 JMX]

Given the "just died" comment and the addition of a couple of litres of Oil ahead of the day's trip, it does tend to suggest that there were underlying issues with the car / engine ahead of the failure. An over filled sump is almost as bad as a low Oil condition as there is a maximum level for a reason.

If you elect for a rebuild of the existing engine, I would advise going to someone familiar with Jaguar V8 machinery and if your father in law lives anywhere near you, then I would suggest contacting Swallows at Rooksbridge, who are a Club partner and wel versed in building up the Jaguar V8 - they take them racing after all.

N6 JMX