Are there any issues with the Jaguar XK8 convertible top?

Are there any issues with the Jaguar XK8 convertible top?

I’ve written a few articles about the issues with Jaguar XK8 Convertible top hydraulics over the years. I’d like to begin by referencing Jaguar’s own technical service bulletin on this topic – Issue: early XK8 Convertibles may experience slow operation of the convertible top, or slow or erratic operation of the latch.

What to do about roof latch on Jaguar XK8?

Lubrication of the ram shafts can be done by spraying WD40 on a rag and rub it on the ram shaft and this can be done when the roof is in the closed position. The roof goes up to the latch but the latch does not grab the roof and close or the latch opens and the roof will not pull back to open.

Why is my soft top on my Jaguar XK not working?

This video will show you the first thing to check when your convertible top on a Jaguar XK or XKR is not working. This is a commonly overlooked issue when the Jaguar soft top is not working. There are more details if you need it in the owner’s manual. Feel free to reach out to me if this does not work for you or you need more help. Loading…

How does the convertible top work on a Jaguar?

When the convertible top has fully raised it will touch the latch claw which will switch to be sent. The SLCM switches off the ‘Latch Control Valve’; and the claw pulls the convertible top in place. 7. When the latch has closed ‘Convertible top closed switch’ and ‘Convertible top latch closed sound the alarm chime, and raise the front windows. 8.

I’ve written a few articles about the issues with Jaguar XK8 Convertible top hydraulics over the years. I’d like to begin by referencing Jaguar’s own technical service bulletin on this topic – Issue: early XK8 Convertibles may experience slow operation of the convertible top, or slow or erratic operation of the latch.

Lubrication of the ram shafts can be done by spraying WD40 on a rag and rub it on the ram shaft and this can be done when the roof is in the closed position. The roof goes up to the latch but the latch does not grab the roof and close or the latch opens and the roof will not pull back to open.

How to flush hydraulic fluid on Jaguar XK8?

Flush Hydraulic Fluid to Fix Problems Opening/Closing Convertible Top on Jaguar XK8 Problem Description Problems when opening or closing the convertible top may be fixed by flushing the hydraulic fluid and replacing it with an improved Jaguar fluid.

This video will show you the first thing to check when your convertible top on a Jaguar XK or XKR is not working. This is a commonly overlooked issue when the Jaguar soft top is not working. There are more details if you need it in the owner’s manual. Feel free to reach out to me if this does not work for you or you need more help. Loading…

What to do if your Jaguar XK8 has hydraulic problems?

All of a sudden you have thin, fast moving oil flowing through the system. As the chunky old fluid is washed away, leaks appear. The solution: Replace the lines, rebuild the rams, and rebuild the latch and pump. All the chunky old oil has to go, as do all the seals, and total rebuild is the only way to accomplish that.

What should I do if my XK8 convertible top leaks?

The lesson for owners of pre-2000 XK8 convertibles: If you have trouble with the top, be prepared for the possibility of leaks after flush, and if that happens, rebuild the whole thing and have done with it because the alternative will be replacing everything one part at a time, which will cost you a lot more in the end.

What kind of oil is in Jaguar XK8?

At the front of the reservoir is a hard lump of what started out as Jaguar hydraulic oil, circa 1998. We already know the old hydraulic fluid was prone to thicken and solidify in chunks. What we now know is that those chunks get into the seals of the rams and latch, and chew them up.

How to upgrade the convertible top on a Jaguar XK8?

Jaguar XK/XKR Hydraulic Convertible Top Upgrade Instructions Background Information: This upgrade kit is designed for the Jaguar XK8/XKR model years 1996-2005. The automatic convertible top in these model years is operated by a hydraulic system manufactured for Jaguar by the Power Packer company.

What kind of hydraulic hose does a Jaguar XK8 use?

This information on the hydraulic hose, latch and lifts and will cover XK8 XKR MY 1997 to 2006. Several years ago I had a hydraulic hose fail that operates my roof on my 1999 xk8.

How to install a hydraulic top on a Jaguar XK?

2. Pull the fascia out and fold it flat against the floor of the trunk compartment. Put the catch pan on top of the folded fascia to hold the pump assembly during installation. a. Use the T30 bit with a ¼ drive socket (or right angle T30 if available) to remove the two screws that hold the pump in place. b.

What is the hydraulic system on a Jaguar XK8?

The hydraulic system is push/push system that means that two hydraulic lines are attached to both lift rams and the roof latch ram so when you operate the roof manually additional fluid can and in most situations will seep out. So have a clean dry rag in the car for any leakage that might take place.

Why are my Ram seals failing on my Jaguar XK8?

With the hoses, pump pressure is the most common problem and also contributes to the ram seals failing but the lack of lubrication on the ram shafts will also add to the ram seals becoming dislodged. This next link will cover what I have found when investigating the hydraulic failures on the XK8.

How does rear window control work on a Jaguar XK8?

Convertible Rear Window Control Modifications (Jaguar XK8/R) Jaguar engineers restricted the raising of the convertible rear quarter windows when the top is down. This document describes a modification to override this restriction and allow a quickpress on the ROOF CLOSE button to raise the windows.

Where can I find a 1998 Jaguar XK8?

by First Jag Owner from Fort Worth, Texas on Mon Mar 22 2010 Found a 1998 Jaguar XK8 on Cars.com at a local (Dallas) dealer. The car had only 25k original miles, but the dealer was asking $19k for the car (too much). So, I used the dealer’s website to determine that the trade-in value was only $12k.

Flush Hydraulic Fluid to Fix Problems Opening/Closing Convertible Top on Jaguar XK8 Problem Description Problems when opening or closing the convertible top may be fixed by flushing the hydraulic fluid and replacing it with an improved Jaguar fluid.

Why does my Jaguar XK8 convertible not go up?

As an FYI, the new tail lights are lower in voltage than the factory orginals and again, the right signal works just fine. A problem cropped up today in my 99 XK8 convertible. I was putting the top up and the latch went down before it grabbed the hook on the top. Now, the top will not go up or down nor will the back windows go up.

Where can I find a 1998 Jaguar XK convertible?

See pricing for the Used 1998 Jaguar XK XK8 Convertible 2D. Get KBB Fair Purchase Price, MSRP, and dealer invoice price for the 1998 Jaguar XK XK8 Convertible 2D. View local inventory and get a quote from a dealer in your area. Home Car Values Price New/Used My Car’s Value Instant Cash Offer Cars for Sale Cars for Sale Sell Your Car

Is the tail light on my Jag XK8 working?

My mechanic put an aftermarket tail light on my 2005 Jag XK8. The right one works fine, but the left one, the rear turn signal does not “blink” although it sounds like it is blinking in the car very rapidly. Also, the tail light stays on constantly.

Why does my Jaguar XK have a roof problem?

What happened was it the latch mechanism closed partially before the hood latched in, so he manually pushed the roof latch into the mechanism, then luricated the mechanism quite a bit. But this is the second time that I have a roof problem, so maybe I need the flush the fluid as many people had advised.

The lesson for owners of pre-2000 XK8 convertibles: If you have trouble with the top, be prepared for the possibility of leaks after flush, and if that happens, rebuild the whole thing and have done with it because the alternative will be replacing everything one part at a time, which will cost you a lot more in the end.

What to do if your Jaguar XK8 roof is not closing?

Lubrication of the ram shafts can be done by spraying WD40 on a rag and rub it on the ram shaft and this can be done when the roof is in the closed position. The roof goes up to the latch but the latch does not grab the roof and close or the latch opens and the roof will not pull back to open. First check the fluid level and the petcock closed.

How much does it cost to fix a Jaguar XK8?

The average cost for a Jaguar XK8 General Diagnosis is between $154 -$195. Learn More the convertible top will not go down when switch is pressed. Fluids were changed in May. You can hear it click when the button is pressed to go up, but when pressed, the rear windows do not go down and nothing happens.

The average cost for a Jaguar XK8 General Diagnosis is between $154 -$195. Learn More the convertible top will not go down when switch is pressed. Fluids were changed in May. You can hear it click when the button is pressed to go up, but when pressed, the rear windows do not go down and nothing happens.

All of a sudden you have thin, fast moving oil flowing through the system. As the chunky old fluid is washed away, leaks appear. The solution: Replace the lines, rebuild the rams, and rebuild the latch and pump. All the chunky old oil has to go, as do all the seals, and total rebuild is the only way to accomplish that.

Where to find chf11s fluid in Jaguar XK8?

The first clue can be seen in one of the pump reservoirs, shown after thorough flushing and change to CHF11S fluid. You can see the fresh CHF fluid as green liquid in the bottom of the reservoir. Above that, lining the bottom of the reservoir, you see a slimy mix of the two fluids.

Why is my Jaguar XK8 window not working?

A simple painless fix. This is the normal function of the Jaguar XK8 convertibles cars,door windows. Each time you pull up on the outside door handle the window will automatically lower by about a inch. The reason for this design is to clear the door glass from the convertible top once you open your door.

Why does my Jaguar XK8 not leak oil?

But they do not always leak, because the chunks of congealed oil act as leak-plugs, which means the problem worsens with age, while remaining invisible. All that changes when the fluid is flushed.

How many Jaguar XK convertibles were sold in 2007?

A sign of how desperate things have gotten for Jaguar in the U.S. market is that its bestselling model line is the low-volume, relatively expensive XK coupe and convertible, with 4487 sales in 2007. That’s 28.6 percent of the company’s admittedly paltry sales of 15,683.

Is there LS1 V8 conversion for Jaguar XK8 XKR 97-02?

Links LS1 LSx V8 Conversion for Jaguar XK8 XKR 97-02 (Convertible & Coupe) Building on our experience from the XJ8 LS1 conversion, we took on a similar project with a 98 XK8 convertible. This was a local one owner, 97k original miles car with a skipped timing chain that trashed the engine. Bad for them, good for us.

What kind of engine does a 1998 Jaguar XK8 have?

Low mileage, though appealing, can bring its own issues – especially if the car has stood outside through damp weather. 1998 May Blown 370bhp XKR; M-B 5-speed auto, speed-sensitive steering, CATS active set-up, mesh grille, bonnet louvres, bootlid spoiler, bigger rims

Who is the manufacturer of the Jaguar convertible top?

The automatic convertible top in these model years is operated by a hydraulic system manufactured for Jaguar by the Power Packer company. Power Packer is the primary designer and manufacturer of convertible top systems that are also used by Mercedes and BMW, plus many others. This system has suffered from a variety of premature failures.

What kind of engine does a Jaguar XK8 have?

Despite the Nikasil and timing chain tensioner problems putting a lot of buyers off older XK8s, the car’s 290bhp V8 engine has proved to be a solid and almost un-burstable unit if serviced correctly. The more powerful supercharged V8 fitted to the XKR coupé and convertible, launched in May 1998, is even more desirable.

When did the Jaguar XK8 Silverstone come out?

Jaguar also produced a number of limited editions before the XK8 was superseded by a brand-new aluminium-bodied replacement in 2005. First of these now very sought after specials was the XKR Silverstone, launched to celebrate Jaguar’s entry into Formula One in 2000. A total of 563 were built, although only 107 remained in the UK.

When did the Jaguar XK8 convertible top come out?

This upgrade kit is designed for the Jaguar XK8/XKR model years 1996-2005. The automatic convertible top in these model years is operated by a hydraulic system manufactured for Jaguar by the Power Packer company.

The automatic convertible top in these model years is operated by a hydraulic system manufactured for Jaguar by the Power Packer company. Power Packer is the primary designer and manufacturer of convertible top systems that are also used by Mercedes and BMW, plus many others. This system has suffered from a variety of premature failures.

Where is the hydraulic valve on a Jaguar XK?

Position the Hydraulic Valve on the top side of the pump motor with the pointed end toward the front of the car and fasten the other end of Hose 2 to Valve Port 2 and tighten with the 11/16 wrench. Refer to Figure 5. 12. Adjust the position of the Valve and hoses to be on top of the motor with the pointed end toward the front of the car.

What causes oil leak on Jaguar XK roof?

The leak occurs in the seals that ride on the shaft as it goes in and out to raise and lower the top. A quantity of oil is lost during each roof operation. Jaguar XK Hydraulic Upgrade Kit Contents:

Are there any problems with the Jaguar XK8?

During the past six months three early XK8 Jaguar convertibles came into Robison Service with slow convertible top complaints. Two cars were leak free; the third was showing the familiar hydraulic oil drip from the header bar.

How much does a 2000 Jaguar XK8 cost?

Beautiful styling and comfort, quick pickup (V8) smooth accelleration. Unbeatible interior design and wood grain, almost like Rolls Royce and Bentley quality with out the 6fig price! Should have back up vehicle, always in shop for something. But please, don’t forget to buy the warranty, a new tranny is about 6500.00.

Where can I buy genuine Jaguar XK8 parts?

eEuroparts.com® currently stocks thousands of quality genuine, OEM, and aftermarket Jaguar XK8 parts. Our easy to navigate online catalog allows you to quickly browse through our diverse offering of Jaguar XK8 Parts. The easiest way to use eEuroparts.com® is to select your specific Jaguar XK8 to filter out any XK8 parts that do not fit your car.

How big is the alternator cap on a Jaguar XK8?

New- Great ‘Keep Calm And Drive A Jaguar’ Sticker, approx 6 inches across and made in 7 year Water & Fade Proof Vinyl. New- Great ‘Keep Calm And Drive A Jaguar’ Sticker, approx 6 inches across and made in 7 year Water & Fade Proof Vinyl. New- XK8 Alternator End Cap. Jaguar Part No LNC1801AA New- XK8 Alternator End Cap. Jaguar Part No LNC1801AA

What kind of oil leak does An XK8 have?

My 2001 XK8 convertible sprang a hydraulic oil leak under the roof latch, dripping down through the ultrasonic sensor screen, etc. Very messy & also disturbing given my car is pampered (only 33k miles). I do drop the top a lot here in Atlanta since the weather is ideal for convertibles. But come on!

Where is the plug on a Jaguar XK8 roof?

Open the petcock (“T” handle counter clockwise and open the latch using the allen wrench that should be mounted on the shelf of the pump). Sitting in the right seat raise your left hand to the header and you will see a plastic plug in the face of the header.

At the front of the reservoir is a hard lump of what started out as Jaguar hydraulic oil, circa 1998. We already know the old hydraulic fluid was prone to thicken and solidify in chunks. What we now know is that those chunks get into the seals of the rams and latch, and chew them up.

Can a 1994 XJS beat a 1998 XK8?

I had a V12 6 liter 4 stage auto 1994 XJS and no, it would not beat the XK8. It was, for all its engine size and theoretical improvements on the old 5.3 liter V12 (had a couple of them too), a disappointingly slow car.

Low mileage, though appealing, can bring its own issues – especially if the car has stood outside through damp weather. 1998 May Blown 370bhp XKR; M-B 5-speed auto, speed-sensitive steering, CATS active set-up, mesh grille, bonnet louvres, bootlid spoiler, bigger rims

I had a V12 6 liter 4 stage auto 1994 XJS and no, it would not beat the XK8. It was, for all its engine size and theoretical improvements on the old 5.3 liter V12 (had a couple of them too), a disappointingly slow car.

What should I do about my Jaguar XK8 ABS?

I have 1999 Jaguar XK8. Had same problem with ABS, traction and stability control. Check EBay and found BBA-REMAN selling they repair services. Place starting bid $35.00 on Jaguar ABS module and won. Free shipping and life time warranty.

Why is there a warning light on my Jaguar XK8?

Taken each sensor off and cleaned, measured resistance etc. Bought a spare sensor off ebay for £7 (instead of the £170 from Jag) and changed each one out individually but still there. Please, any advice would be welcome. Got a feeling it’s not the ABS module and it is sensor related.

Why does my XK8 have an ABS warning light?

At first the warning was intermittent ( which suggests no serious prob with ABS pump or throttle body) but now it’s on pretty much all the time. I’ve had the wheels off and cleaned and checked all the sensors. Don’t want to pay for extortionate diagnostics (who does). Is there anything else I can try? Thanks, Evo08

How much does ABS module cost on Jaguar?

Place starting bid $35.00 on Jaguar ABS module and won. Free shipping and life time warranty. Just received back and after installation all ABS and brake lights disappear. No more traction control, stability control fail messages on the clock. Only Check Engine light was on. Reset light with chip scanner.