Just bought a 2011 XJR8.
Discussion
A 2011 XJR8? 
If it's a X308 (1997-2003) then it may be the secondary tensioners. If failing or failed you will hear a russling/rattling noise similar to a pushbike chain being dragged over the chain guard which'll be worse when cold. You may also have a sharp rattle on start up with the mk 1 tensioner which is actuated by oil pressure. It'll rattle untill there's enough pressure to push the piston out to tension the chain. The mk 2 type fail silent and deadly as there's a spring to push the piston out instead of using oil pressure.
The only advice I can offer without hearing it is to not start the engine again. Instead either get the car trailerd to a competent mechanic, or remove both cam covers yourself and physically check the condition of the tensioners and tightness of the exhaust cam chains. If the tensioner bodies are either red/orange (mk1) or cream/dirty brown (mk2) then they should be changed anyway for the metal bodied mk 3 design available to retro fit from around 2005 onwards
If that's the problem and the chains are slack enough to rattle you're running a serious risk of jumping teeth on the exhaust cam sprocket - one tooth will cause running problems, any more will cause a coming together of valves and pistons.
Check it or wreck it - your call
If it's a X308 (1997-2003) then it may be the secondary tensioners. If failing or failed you will hear a russling/rattling noise similar to a pushbike chain being dragged over the chain guard which'll be worse when cold. You may also have a sharp rattle on start up with the mk 1 tensioner which is actuated by oil pressure. It'll rattle untill there's enough pressure to push the piston out to tension the chain. The mk 2 type fail silent and deadly as there's a spring to push the piston out instead of using oil pressure.
The only advice I can offer without hearing it is to not start the engine again. Instead either get the car trailerd to a competent mechanic, or remove both cam covers yourself and physically check the condition of the tensioners and tightness of the exhaust cam chains. If the tensioner bodies are either red/orange (mk1) or cream/dirty brown (mk2) then they should be changed anyway for the metal bodied mk 3 design available to retro fit from around 2005 onwards
If that's the problem and the chains are slack enough to rattle you're running a serious risk of jumping teeth on the exhaust cam sprocket - one tooth will cause running problems, any more will cause a coming together of valves and pistons.
Check it or wreck it - your call
Thanks for the reply.
Well spotted, it is 2001 vintage. LOL
Which I guess puts it right on the crossover. I had hoped it was the later incarnation.
Anyway, I took it to a good garage today and they inspected it with a stethoscope, (interesting contraption they've derived from a knock sensor attached to some sort of computer with a set of headphones. I was impressed!), and let me listen. The offside bank is rattling away like a bag of bolts the nearside one isn't as bad but on it's way out. It's booked in on Thursday to have them replaced.
I initially thought it was supercharger bearings but it's as quiet as a mouse.
I'm likely to be a regular vistor here for the foreseeable.
I'll be looking at having the front suspension looked at before I have the geometry set.
Other than than it's like driving a fast attack aircraft carrier! What a car!!
Well spotted, it is 2001 vintage. LOL
Which I guess puts it right on the crossover. I had hoped it was the later incarnation.
Anyway, I took it to a good garage today and they inspected it with a stethoscope, (interesting contraption they've derived from a knock sensor attached to some sort of computer with a set of headphones. I was impressed!), and let me listen. The offside bank is rattling away like a bag of bolts the nearside one isn't as bad but on it's way out. It's booked in on Thursday to have them replaced.
I initially thought it was supercharger bearings but it's as quiet as a mouse.
I'm likely to be a regular vistor here for the foreseeable.
I'll be looking at having the front suspension looked at before I have the geometry set.
Other than than it's like driving a fast attack aircraft carrier! What a car!!
Edited by Big Rod on Monday 11th June 21:18
The revised AJ27 V8 engine did away with Nicasil lined bores and had a more robust waterpump and throttlebody. It also has the 2nd gen tensioners, but these are considered fragile too - and don't ususlly give the warning rattle the earlier one made when failing. Apart from these issues and the need for a gearbox oil change the X308 is a fantastic car, and a real bargin.
Enjoy.
Enjoy.
Jaguar steve said:
The revised AJ27 V8 engine did away with Nicasil lined bores and had a more robust waterpump and throttlebody. It also has the 2nd gen tensioners, but these are considered fragile too - and don't ususlly give the warning rattle the earlier one made when failing. Apart from these issues and the need for a gearbox oil change the X308 is a fantastic car, and a real bargin.
Yeah, once the immediate worries are addressed I'll draw up a list and treat it to a massive service to accomodate gearbox oil changes and whatnot. It really is too good a car to 'let go'.Jaguar steve said:
Enjoy.
Already am Steve, I adore it!! I don't remember having a car that I just want to get in and drive so much just for the pure hell of it. It's quite frustrating looking at it in my driveway knowing that I really shouldn't start it up!!Gassing Station | Jaguar | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff