Up in a puff of a smoke?
Discussion
Hi, my x308 XJR has started to emit a little puff of blue smoke on start up if its been standing a few hours.
Am thinking maybe valve guide seals allowing a bit of oil down?
Anyone got any experience of changing these?
Major job or not too horrendous?
Any advice would be appreciated.
Thanks
Am thinking maybe valve guide seals allowing a bit of oil down?
Anyone got any experience of changing these?
Major job or not too horrendous?
Any advice would be appreciated.
Thanks
Yes they do that occasionally - usualy next morning on a cold start after a long fast run.
Try changing the oil.
If it's been filled with an ordinary multigrade that's done a few k's it's possible the viscosity index reinforcing polymer chains have degraded in the oil and it's become thinner than it should be at high temperatures. This will allow a small amount, and it really is only a small amount that produces a hell of a lot of blue smoke to drain down into the cylinders when the engine is stopped.
Using a good quality semi or better still full synthetic 5W/40 and changing it more often than Jaguar's 10k interval will help - but really, unless its belching a smoke screen James Bond would be proud of I'd not be too concerned. I certainly wouldn't even contemplate taking the heads off and stripping them to see if a stem seal change would cure the problem.
Try changing the oil.
If it's been filled with an ordinary multigrade that's done a few k's it's possible the viscosity index reinforcing polymer chains have degraded in the oil and it's become thinner than it should be at high temperatures. This will allow a small amount, and it really is only a small amount that produces a hell of a lot of blue smoke to drain down into the cylinders when the engine is stopped.
Using a good quality semi or better still full synthetic 5W/40 and changing it more often than Jaguar's 10k interval will help - but really, unless its belching a smoke screen James Bond would be proud of I'd not be too concerned. I certainly wouldn't even contemplate taking the heads off and stripping them to see if a stem seal change would cure the problem.
drummerboyXJR said:
Thanks Steve, will give the fully synth a try, it is only a big puff which disappears in a second or two.
On a different note, i seem to be missing a manual, the 'vehicle care manual'
Should that have come with the car from new, or is it an aftermarket purchase?
Should be in the black pack of other manuals in the boot, unless somebody's put it in the green folder in the glovebox. Usualy plenty on ebay 'tho.On a different note, i seem to be missing a manual, the 'vehicle care manual'
Should that have come with the car from new, or is it an aftermarket purchase?
Sure it's not just been overfilled with oil?
Full synthetic is worth every penny IMO. Vastly superior engine protection, reduced friction and better heat transfer are just some of the advantages. GSF stock Fusch Titan Supersyn 5W/40 - one of the best oils on the market for £16.50/4 litre so there's really no excuse for compromising your engine by putting ordinary lube oil in.
You will gain more power or economy from reduced friction. You can choose either by deciding how far down you press the loud pedal
Edited by Jaguar steve on Thursday 18th September 12:37
NST said:
can you use fully synthetic oil in the XJR/XKR? i'm pretty sure it says use semi synthetic 5w/30.
Check with the guys at Opie oils but my understanding is so long as the oil meets or exceeds the manufacturers specification there's no reason why you can't use a full synthetic. Semi synthetic oil is either a blend of part mineral and part synthetic, a mineral oil with a addative package from a synthetic or an ordinary mineral oil that's been through an extra refining stage called Hydrocracking. There's always confusion about exacty what you get when you buy a semi synthetic because of consumer legislation in the States that actually allows a semi or part synthetic label to be put on cracked ordinary oil, or a mixture of both. You can label an oil semi synthetic if it has only a tiny, tiny percentage of synthetic in the mix for example. Although a semi is usually better specified than ordinary mineral oil the whole "semi synthetic" oil market is basicaly a big con.
Full synthetic is made in a factory, not sucked out of the ground. It is far more thermally stable, has a significantly greater shear strength, and because all the oil molecules in full synthetic are the same size you get a significant reduction in friction, pumping losses and greater ability to transfer heat. It also has the added advantage of maintaining it's hot viscosity throughought it's service life without the need for a complicated package of polymers which degenerate over time, which becomes very important with extended service intervals.
IMO it's worth the small extra cost for the fuel economy improvement and superior engine protection.
Edited by Jaguar steve on Thursday 18th September 18:55
Edited by Jaguar steve on Thursday 18th September 18:56
Edited by Jaguar steve on Thursday 18th September 19:11
Its hard work, no really hard work. I've done a few head gasket on Superchargers, not for a few years now. They were failing from time to time around 100k miles.
You need some special tools, One is a locking pin for the flywheel, two plate to hold the cams in place, and some wedges to take the slop out of the chain tensioners. Its not a nice job at all.
Does sound like it if you can smell fuel or exhaust in the header tank.
Any garage that has changed the chains and tensioners should be able to do it though. As that the the bit that could go wrong, the rest is nuts and bolts and just time consuming.
You need some special tools, One is a locking pin for the flywheel, two plate to hold the cams in place, and some wedges to take the slop out of the chain tensioners. Its not a nice job at all.
Does sound like it if you can smell fuel or exhaust in the header tank.
Any garage that has changed the chains and tensioners should be able to do it though. As that the the bit that could go wrong, the rest is nuts and bolts and just time consuming.
CHJ said:
It might be worth trying an engine flush if you are changing the oil? I think Jaguar recommend the Forte motor flush treatment which supposedly cleans up the internal lacquering and conditions seals etc. Interested to know what others think of these flushes.
Chris
I wouldn't unless there's a good reason. If you have a specific problem like blockages in hydraulic cam followers then engine flush might make a difference.Chris
Modern oil and fuel is much better than what was available years ago with regard to engine cleanliness so flushing really shouldn't be necessary and any engine flush will compromise lubrication when it's used. Without getting off my arse and going outside to look, IIRC Jaguar specifically state in the maintainece handbook that no oil addative should be used.
I've seen an neglected Rover V8 engine sieze solid as a result of using engine flush. What happened was all the sludge and filth that was coating the inside of the sump and block out of harm's way was disolved by the flush and re circulated round the engine in the oil, completely blocking the oil filter. It was left running outside the workshop, we had the radio on loud and...oh dear.
We used to sell Wyns engine flush to customers when I was in the trade but never put it in our own cars. The guy who does my MOTs really rates the Forte stuff 'tho, but as I know him pretty well I'm sure that's more to do with the mark up he makes on it rather than any advantage it gives.
Big Rumbly said:
Steve,
Fusch Titan Supersyn 5W/40 - one of the best oils on the market for £16.50/4 litre
I think your qoute is a little out of date, it's over £40 for 4 litre, you were getting my hopes up, as I am due an oil change on the XJR
How much? Fusch Titan Supersyn 5W/40 - one of the best oils on the market for £16.50/4 litre
I think your qoute is a little out of date, it's over £40 for 4 litre, you were getting my hopes up, as I am due an oil change on the XJR
Are you sure?Last lot I bought from GSF was £16.50+ VAT / 4 litre in March this year. Last year in May it was only £14.10+ VAT / 4 litre. Either GSF have priced it up wrong (should have bought a couple of cases..dammit) or you're getting robbed.
If Super Syn really is that expensive now then Morris lubricants Multilife is another good choice. It's around £26 for 5 litres. Buy 3 cans and a 1 litre top up and you'll have enough for two changes.
Ow my gawd 
.
I'm currently running four cars on Super Syn. If that's right it's time for some Googling before the next batch of changes on the JS fleet then. Next time I'm passing GSF I'll call in and see what the current price for Super Syn there is too. GSF are usually the cheapest around here but I might persuade a independent factor to give me a discount on a case or two.
.I'm currently running four cars on Super Syn. If that's right it's time for some Googling before the next batch of changes on the JS fleet then. Next time I'm passing GSF I'll call in and see what the current price for Super Syn there is too. GSF are usually the cheapest around here but I might persuade a independent factor to give me a discount on a case or two.
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