2011 XFR - suspected dead engine
Discussion
On my way from Leeds to Preston last week I decided to take the scenic route- the first quarter of the journey was entirely uneventful, but as I finished overtaking a dawdling car on a stretch of dual carriageway just outside Ilkley, I got a "restricted performance warning" accompanied by plumes of smoke. Had to limp about a mile to a safe place to park, and as I pulled up the engine died. Arranged recovery to the nearest dealer as it is under an approved used Jag warranty. The recovery bloke suspected a fueling issue as there was a very strong smell of fuel under the bonnet but couldn't see any leaks. Car hadn't lost any other fluids.
Fast forward a few days and the dealership looking at it have told me it needs a new engine but wont give me any details beyond that. Warranty co have requested they strip it down to examine the cause of the dead engine and wont sign off on a new engine until this has been done, something the dealership cant do for a few days due to having other cars booked in etc.
Prior to the issue car had been running absolutely fine - no warning lights, no poor performance, fuel economy was down a tad but I put that down to a change in job meaning a shorter commute.
Anyone else had any problems with the 5.0 V8 engine? I have never heard of them spontaneously letting go like this. It was on 45000 miles, last serviced about 10 months ago.
Fast forward a few days and the dealership looking at it have told me it needs a new engine but wont give me any details beyond that. Warranty co have requested they strip it down to examine the cause of the dead engine and wont sign off on a new engine until this has been done, something the dealership cant do for a few days due to having other cars booked in etc.
Prior to the issue car had been running absolutely fine - no warning lights, no poor performance, fuel economy was down a tad but I put that down to a change in job meaning a shorter commute.
Anyone else had any problems with the 5.0 V8 engine? I have never heard of them spontaneously letting go like this. It was on 45000 miles, last serviced about 10 months ago.
a8hex said:
"Dead Engine" seems a complete non-diagnosis of a problem. What on the engine is dead? Not surprised the warrantee company won't play ball, I'm just surprised they didn't go ape at the dealer.
Was it making any noises while in limp home mode?
I asked that question to be told "I dunno mate, and no one in the servicing team is available to speak to you"Was it making any noises while in limp home mode?
It ran really rough when it went into limp home mode, like it was missing a couple of cylinders. There was a considerable amount of smoke coming out of the back as well.
To answer some of the questions- I pretty much coasted down hill for a mile to find a safe place to stop- I was on a narrow country road at that point and didn't want to ditch it into a hedge. Did not rev the engine at all.
No oil leak prior to journey, coolant was checked about a week ago and was fine, hadn't been misfueled. No other warnings other than restricted performance. Must admit I don't check oil level very regularly (perhaps last checked a month ago) but it was absolutely fine last time I did check. No fluid leaks under the car where I parked up, nothing showing on the road, nothing on the recovery truck.
Can't seem to get anywhere with the dealers- rang the warranty co on Tuesday to be told the dealer hadn't instigated a claim at that point. Prior to this the dealer had rang last Thursday to ask if I was happy to pay 8 hours labour @ £120 an hour to get the fault diagnosed. I kicked off at that point. They rang back within the hour to say they wouldn't be charging me as they had consulted with the warranty co. To say I'm not a happy bunny is an understatement (!)
No oil leak prior to journey, coolant was checked about a week ago and was fine, hadn't been misfueled. No other warnings other than restricted performance. Must admit I don't check oil level very regularly (perhaps last checked a month ago) but it was absolutely fine last time I did check. No fluid leaks under the car where I parked up, nothing showing on the road, nothing on the recovery truck.
Can't seem to get anywhere with the dealers- rang the warranty co on Tuesday to be told the dealer hadn't instigated a claim at that point. Prior to this the dealer had rang last Thursday to ask if I was happy to pay 8 hours labour @ £120 an hour to get the fault diagnosed. I kicked off at that point. They rang back within the hour to say they wouldn't be charging me as they had consulted with the warranty co. To say I'm not a happy bunny is an understatement (!)
Dealership finally completed their diagnostic and have rung me to say the engine has valve damage. He couldn't elaborate on that, and when I question if that meant I definitely needed a new engine I was told the warranty co assessor will be inspecting the car on Monday and a decision will be taken in conjunction with him. Tune in next week for the next development...
Engine out of the car and they've found the timing chain has stretched. Valve damage is worst on cylinder 2 but the warranty co are talking to Jag to determine best course of action. Finally got a courtesy car after moaning to Jaguar on twitter about the atrocious lack of service and general can't be arsed attitude from the dealership. They've assigned someone on their end to coordinate between them, the warranty folk and the dealers.
Woah didn't realise I'd sparked such debate. This weeks update is that the dealership and warranty co have been rifling through my car and found two print outs from a rolling road showing WHP of 466ish bhp and an estimate of flywheel BHP of 590ish bhp and are now convinced my engine has had a remap.
Except it hasn't. Not during my ownership.
Putting it on a rolling road does not invalidate the warranty. They are convinced the two print outs show a before and after bhp level and are evidence of it being remapped. I am absolutely apoplectic with rage. The dealership kindly waited til 4.55 to notify me of the warranty company's conclusion and I now have to wait til Monday morning before I can speak to someone. This is turning into an absolute nightmare.
Except it hasn't. Not during my ownership.
Putting it on a rolling road does not invalidate the warranty. They are convinced the two print outs show a before and after bhp level and are evidence of it being remapped. I am absolutely apoplectic with rage. The dealership kindly waited til 4.55 to notify me of the warranty company's conclusion and I now have to wait til Monday morning before I can speak to someone. This is turning into an absolute nightmare.
Got a phone call from Jaguar this afternoon- the warranty company sent the Map on the ECU to Jaguar who confirmed its the OEM map and the car hasn't been remapped. I believe they also contacted Paul at RS Tuning in Leeds who confirmed he hadn't ever worked on the car so the warranty co have given the dealership verbal authorisation to begin the repair. Don't know if that means a whole new engine but that will be clarified in the next few days. Only taken 4 weeks to get the green light. Very relieved that I'm not staring at a massive repair bill!
a8hex said:
Yeah, but why did the dealer seem to be so reluctant too, I can understand the warranty company being a pain-ita.
Dealer can get a heck of a lot more labour from a naive paying customer than the official warranty co who (I assume) will have predefined labour times for each job. If they'd declined the claim I'd be looking at a bill of at least £2k just for taking the engine out and stripping it down! I don't have a problem with the warranty co being thorough. I do have a problem with the contents of my glovebox being rifled through and being accused of lying to them when they asked me if I'd remapped my car. Still hopefully I'll have it back soon (probably a good few weeks from now knowing my luck) and I can forget about all the hassle.
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