1998 Jaguar XK8 Engine cooling Problems

“My 1998 XK8 Jaguar timing chain broke and ruined the engine requiring a new one for $11,000 with only 49,000 miles on it. I had taken it to the dealer for service the entire time. This is a very common problem occuring within the Jaguar line. Jaguar refuses to help and tries to keep it under wrap until the warranty expires. It is a well known design flaw that has cost tons of people thousands. My car also stalled without warning on the highway and this too is a common problem. Both of these could have caused me serious injury.”

“I purchased a used 1998 Jaguar XK8 with 40000 miles in nov 2004. It immediately started stalling at highway speeds. I took it to a local dealer in little rock arkansas, and thay told me that they could find nothing wrong with the car but charged me $1,600.00 for service that was not necessary. Within weeks it again began dying at highway speeds and would not re-start without pulling off the road, which is at times impossible due to I-30 being under construction and having no shoulder or exits, only 6-foot concrete barriers on either side of the two lane highway. …”

“The vehicle, without any warning and instantaneously at speed limit in a freeway travel lane, ceased to operate. This happened on numerous occasions since first acquired with less than 4,000 miles use. Each time this caused the driver (my wife) to conduct an emergency procedure - hit the emergency flashers, shift to neutral, and restart the car while it was decelerating. The last time was on july 14, 2008. The power steering, power brakes, safety handling systems, and engine were inoperable. …”

“Timing tensioner defect- 1998 Jaguar XK8 with 50000 miles. Engine failed to start after loud popping noise. No previous issues prior. Cause-plastic timing tensioners failed, causing timing chain to break and damage pistons. Solution new engine. Dealer quoted $14,000. This car was regularly maintained. My mechanic stated he was aware of a problem with tensioners, and Jaguar had redesigned them for later models. This was a known defect on low mileage vehicles! There were many documented cases. Jaguar refused to acknowledge and offered no assistance.”

“1998 Jaguar XK8 has a history of stalling on the freeway at speeds of 55-60mph. This occurred twice (prior owner - 38,246 miles) - prior owner told by Jaguar that automobile had been repaired by replacing throttle. Same incident occurred at later. On-line information shows that several other 1998 XK8 owners have the same issue that engine turns off without warning - the car has a design flaw. There has been recalls regarding the throttle. I do not understand why the nhtsb has not forced Jaguar to repair this 1998 XK8. The model, 1998 Jaguar XK8, has a design flaw and is a safety risk.”