Jaguar XJ8 3.2 - Possibly bought a turkey...

[Rob34]

Hi All,

I bought a 1999 V reg XJ8 about three weeks ago, but having spent 18 months researching them - what to look out for etc - I seemed to have ended up with a bit of a turkey.

There seems to be a timing chain rattle on start up which I didn't spot on first inspection as the engine was slightly warm to touch. I also saw a note in the service book saying the timing chain and tensioners had been replaced Apr 2005 (with 43K on the clock), and it has only done 37K since then so I didn't suspect there would be a problem.

The service history isn't all that good either - only one service recorded since then at 54K in Nov 2007. Now got 80K on the clock.

The rattle is noticeable on about 8/10 start ups cold or warm. It lasts two seconds then disappears. The last two start ups from cold did not noticeably rattle - the first after standing for nearly five days. Does this sound like a timing chain issue? Or could it be something else?

Your thoughts would be much appreciated

Many thanks,

Rob

[rosscobmw]

Gobble Gobble...


I wouldn't worry about the noise if it goes away that quick mate

[XJR500bhp]

It's not weak pump and oil starvation top end until it's warm?

If it's any help, if the engine sharts itself you can pick up another fairly cheap and I have swapped one in 6 hours before.

[davepoth]

How old is the oil?

[richard300]

My old XJ8 (4.0) would make a very similar sound to what you are describing. If i started the car cold it would make the sound, give some gentle revs and as soon as it hit 1800rpm it stopped. My local garage said not to worry. and my car had the chain and metal tensioner upgrade only 10k before.

[Rob34]

davepoth said:

How old is the oil?

Well when I bought it the oil could have been 4 years 9 months old and used for 26K miles. I had the oil (5-30 Fully Synthetic) and filter changed four days after I bought it. It did not seem to make any difference to the rattle though.

Also there is a faint sound like a free-wheeling bicycle, which seems constant but very faint. Wasn't sure if it is tappets or a saggy timing chain.

I could of course be being completely paranoid...

[Rob34]

XJR500bhp said:

It's not weak pump and oil starvation top end until it's warm?

How do you mean?

[Rob34]

richard300 said:

My old XJ8 (4.0) would make a very similar sound to what you are describing. If i started the car cold it would make the sound, give some gentle revs and as soon as it hit 1800rpm it stopped. My local garage said not to worry. and my car had the chain and metal tensioner upgrade only 10k before.

My rattle is near the front of the engine and I believe second generation tensioners were fitted not metal ones. Is that where your rattle is coming from and did they give you any idea what the rattle is?

[richard300]

Yep, i remember it being at the front(ish) but cant remember what they said it was.

My brother was a service manager for a large an independant garage. I would always have one of the mechanics who was ex jaguar main dealer work on my car, and trusted his and my brothers advice. And their advice was dont worry about it - cant remember what he said it was likely to be now. And it never got any worse in 3 years.

[Soovy]

Rob34 said:

There seems to be a timing chain rattle on start up which I didn't spot on first inspection

The service history isn't all that good either - only one service recorded since then at 54K in Nov 2007. Now got 80K on the clock.

Your thoughts would be much appreciated

Many thanks,

Rob

Sounds like you let your heart rule your head.

On a more serious note, mate has the same noise and has done for ages with no issues.

[Rob34]

Soovy said:

Sounds like you let your heart rule your head.

It might sound that way but I certainly wasn't smitten with it, just sick of travelling long distances to see Jags which sound perfect, only to discover they're dogs and I've just wasted a load of petrol! That happened for nearly six months! In the end I bought a car which I knew had replacement tensioners and which didn't rattle when I went to view it. It was also only £1350 so I thought it might be worth a gamble. If it needs a full set of tensioners and a new chain that'll be about £1K and it also needs a couple of wheel bearings £600 - £700 for both...

I'll have it inspected and see what happens. Might have to flog it

[ajb85]

This particular engine is a prone to a little chain rattle. My mechanic has the same lump in his XJ Sport, likewise he does not think there is much to worry about and the maintenance on his is all present and correct. Weak gearboxes are the bigger issue which I'm sure you're aware. I'm assuming (hoping!) the rust on the underside of XK8s is no longer an issue on a V plater?

Pics please! I like these cars (although just couldn't own one, sorry).

[Baryonyx]

Lets see some pictures of the car, anyway!

[Rob34]

[Rob34]

[Rob34]

[Rob34]

Well, that's the beast...

[chris182]

My Merc rattles it's timing chain for a second or so on startup, it's because the tensioner is hydraulic and works off the engines oil pressure which takes a moment to come up. If yours is the same then it's nothing to worry about.

[Rob34]

Thanks - that's a very good point. Yes the tensioners are hydraulic. How old is your Merc and what mileage? Would this rattle happen with these timing chains even if they were new?

[Jalexp]

Forget the sound, take that leaper off the bonnet!