NEWSFLASH - My XJR needs a heart transplant!
Discussion
Well, after all the reading up I've done on the problem, the advice I've dished out to others and the breath I've been holding - it's happened.
Timing Chain Tensioners have failed. This siezed the engine, broke the chain, mangled the valves and put a hole in at least one of the pistons. Proper job. :(
A replacement engine is now required. If anybody happens to know of one available, please let me know as I am considering all the options.
Oh joy. :rolleyes:
Timing Chain Tensioners have failed. This siezed the engine, broke the chain, mangled the valves and put a hole in at least one of the pistons. Proper job. :(
A replacement engine is now required. If anybody happens to know of one available, please let me know as I am considering all the options.
Oh joy. :rolleyes:
No rattle at all. Just turned the key and heard (and felt) metal hitting metal. The vibration went right through the car and the damage was caused in no more than three turns of the engine by the starter motor - it didn't fire obviously.
I was surprised too, as everything I'd read about the problem warned of a 'death rattle' beforehand.
Don't really know what to suggest to others with '98-'00 cars, other than get the tensioners replaced. A few hundred spent now may save several thousand later...
I was surprised too, as everything I'd read about the problem warned of a 'death rattle' beforehand.
Don't really know what to suggest to others with '98-'00 cars, other than get the tensioners replaced. A few hundred spent now may save several thousand later...
XJR420 said:
My commiserations, I hope you can source a suitable lump soon. I only read about this problem on PH last week. I have had a rattle on start-up for a while, asked at my friendly Jag dealer when it was last serviced and was told that they couldnt hear anything, so didnt worry. Sounds like I best book her in? The rattle is only from cold and quite tinny, sounds like this problem doesnt it? Shes a late 98 and done 54,000. Any thoughts?
If the rattle is coming from th efront of the engine on startup, then I'd get her booked in and taken there on a tow truck - wouldn't want to chance it myself!
OK, the warranty company sent an engineer to inspect the car on Wenesday and they have responded today.
They are saying that the policy does not cover the fault because (according to them) the 'timing chain follower' failed, not the 'timing chain tensioner'. This is ofcourse b
s as we all know that it is the tensioner which fails and SJC have confirmed that this is indeed what has happened.
So I shall now be responding to the warranty company by pulling down their pants and giving them a good spanking, which even 'Tweaky from Scoobynet' would be proud of.
To support my argument, I shall ofcourse be gathering every little piece of documentation I can find on the subject. So if anybody has some information which may prove useful, please, please PM me ASAP.
Let battle commence!
>> Edited by groomi on Friday 12th August 15:44
They are saying that the policy does not cover the fault because (according to them) the 'timing chain follower' failed, not the 'timing chain tensioner'. This is ofcourse b
s as we all know that it is the tensioner which fails and SJC have confirmed that this is indeed what has happened. So I shall now be responding to the warranty company by pulling down their pants and giving them a good spanking, which even 'Tweaky from Scoobynet' would be proud of.
To support my argument, I shall ofcourse be gathering every little piece of documentation I can find on the subject. So if anybody has some information which may prove useful, please, please PM me ASAP.
Let battle commence!
>> Edited by groomi on Friday 12th August 15:44
I called the claims department on Monday who basically couldn't discuss my claim (Who the hell can then? 
). They told me to write to the Claims Manager - I prefer to do this anyway really as I find things in black and white easier to deal with.
So a beautifully worded letter went in the post (recorded delivery) today, and we'll wait to see what happens.
Not going to post any details about the (hopefully) resulting correspondence until it's all resolved, just incase I write something which could jeoperdise my claim.
I will win though
). They told me to write to the Claims Manager - I prefer to do this anyway really as I find things in black and white easier to deal with. So a beautifully worded letter went in the post (recorded delivery) today, and we'll wait to see what happens.
Not going to post any details about the (hopefully) resulting correspondence until it's all resolved, just incase I write something which could jeoperdise my claim.
I will win though
Evening all. A question for those technical bods amongst us...
Can anyone explain to me the difference (if any) between a 'timing chain tensioner' and a 'timing chain tensioner pad/blade'?
Are they seperate parts (any idea of part numbers?) and can they be purchased seperately?
Many thanks,
Iain
Can anyone explain to me the difference (if any) between a 'timing chain tensioner' and a 'timing chain tensioner pad/blade'?
Are they seperate parts (any idea of part numbers?) and can they be purchased seperately?
Many thanks,
Iain
John Millar said:
See link below. Great article produced by Chris M @ Jaglovers
<a href="www.electronicimpulse.net/~vissagoth/xj12/tech/timingchain.htm">www.electronicimpulse.net/~vissagoth/xj12/tech/timingchain.htm</a>
>> Edited by John Millar on Monday 22 August 08:20
Cheers John, very useful article.
Still fighting...
8 Pack. The tensioners were modified twice during the production of the 4.0L V8.
The fist modification involved ading an extra spring to the original plastic tensioner (and a little strengthening). This had the effect of extending the life of the tensioner, but with the side effect that if it did actually fail, the extra spring would keep any warning rattle to a minimum...
The metal tensioners I think were introduced in 2000, but I don't know any exact production dates I'm afraid. if I come accross anything I'll let you know.
With regards to my motor, I'm currently crafting another literary masterpiece to the warranty company together with some very useful diagrams and part numbers which should support my case strongly - will be interesting to see what they come back with this time...
The fist modification involved ading an extra spring to the original plastic tensioner (and a little strengthening). This had the effect of extending the life of the tensioner, but with the side effect that if it did actually fail, the extra spring would keep any warning rattle to a minimum...
The metal tensioners I think were introduced in 2000, but I don't know any exact production dates I'm afraid. if I come accross anything I'll let you know.
With regards to my motor, I'm currently crafting another literary masterpiece to the warranty company together with some very useful diagrams and part numbers which should support my case strongly - will be interesting to see what they come back with this time...
Update.
I've had a reply back from the warranty company today affering a 'goodwill gesture' of £4k towards the bill (ie. just below half the amount). They have not accepted any liability.
I feel an all guns blazing approach will be employed in my response as I have them by the short and curlies now.
>> Edited by groomi on Friday 9th September 23:08
I've had a reply back from the warranty company today affering a 'goodwill gesture' of £4k towards the bill (ie. just below half the amount). They have not accepted any liability.
I feel an all guns blazing approach will be employed in my response as I have them by the short and curlies now.
>> Edited by groomi on Friday 9th September 23:08
Yep, a significant step forward. They have now accepted liabilty 
but are arguing about the value of the work. Apparently, at 110,000 miles the engine has covered over half it's expected life - so they will only pay less than half the cost.
Ofcourse, I don't see anywhere in the Jaguar service schedule an entry saying: Replace engine at 200,000 mile service... They won't be getting away with that one.
Oh, and now I have a letter dated 8 weeks after I initiated my claim, stating that they accept liabilty - or as I like to think of it, wasting my time. I shall be informing them of my intention to persue additional costs.
I can play dirty too
but are arguing about the value of the work. Apparently, at 110,000 miles the engine has covered over half it's expected life - so they will only pay less than half the cost. Ofcourse, I don't see anywhere in the Jaguar service schedule an entry saying: Replace engine at 200,000 mile service...
They won't be getting away with that one. Oh, and now I have a letter dated 8 weeks after I initiated my claim, stating that they accept liabilty - or as I like to think of it, wasting my time. I shall be informing them of my intention to persue additional costs.
I can play dirty too
BUMP!
Having almost exhausted the complaints procedure, it is now looking like I shall probably have to accept an offer of £4k from the warranty company. On the basis that the specialist quoted the warranty company £8.5k inc. VAT to do the job, and that in fully working order the car is worth about £10k, I seem to have the following three options...
1) Take the £4k from the warranty co, add £4.5k and get the car back on the road. Then spend another £1.5k on service and tyres which are due.
Result - Cant afford to be £6k down, so sell the car for £10k, leaving me with £4k in the bank but no Jag. (However, if I manage to make an additional £6k (unlikely) before I sell it, enabling me to keep it, I end up with a totally sorted car)
2) (This option is only valid if the Warranty co. agree to it as it isn't normal procedure).Fit a second hand engine (£5.5k approx) rather than an official Jaguar exchange unit. Warranty company may still pay me £4k, but will almost certainly cancel the policy thereafter due to unapproved parts being used. Then spend £1.5k on service and tyres.
Result - £3k down, could stomach that but would have no warranty and no guarantee that the fitted engine is any good. Risky...
3) (PS: This option is only valid if the Warranty co. agree to it as it isn't normal procedure). Take £4k from warranty co, then sell car 'as-is' for spares or repair at approx £2k.
Result - £6k in the bank, but potentially difficult to sell car. Also, I still end up with no Jag.
So what should I do? How much are second-hand engines? And how much is an engineless XJR with newish 'box/propshaft/diff/bushes/st.column worth?
Answers on a postcard to 'broke, depressed and Jagless' of Orpington
Having almost exhausted the complaints procedure, it is now looking like I shall probably have to accept an offer of £4k from the warranty company. On the basis that the specialist quoted the warranty company £8.5k inc. VAT to do the job, and that in fully working order the car is worth about £10k, I seem to have the following three options...
1) Take the £4k from the warranty co, add £4.5k and get the car back on the road. Then spend another £1.5k on service and tyres which are due.
Result - Cant afford to be £6k down, so sell the car for £10k, leaving me with £4k in the bank but no Jag. (However, if I manage to make an additional £6k (unlikely) before I sell it, enabling me to keep it, I end up with a totally sorted car
) 2) (This option is only valid if the Warranty co. agree to it as it isn't normal procedure).Fit a second hand engine (£5.5k approx) rather than an official Jaguar exchange unit. Warranty company may still pay me £4k, but will almost certainly cancel the policy thereafter due to unapproved parts being used. Then spend £1.5k on service and tyres.
Result - £3k down, could stomach that but would have no warranty and no guarantee that the fitted engine is any good. Risky...
3) (PS: This option is only valid if the Warranty co. agree to it as it isn't normal procedure). Take £4k from warranty co, then sell car 'as-is' for spares or repair at approx £2k.
Result - £6k in the bank, but potentially difficult to sell car. Also, I still end up with no Jag.
So what should I do? How much are second-hand engines? And how much is an engineless XJR with newish 'box/propshaft/diff/bushes/st.column worth?
Answers on a postcard to 'broke, depressed and Jagless' of Orpington
Cheers Prof B,
Picked it up today and have been cruising around all afternoon. It felt like buying it again for the first time, the bill wasn't dissimilar either.
Just trying to restrain myself from engaging 'sport mode' and flooring it. Have been advised to run it in for 200 miles or so, but I think I'll probably do nearer 1000 just to be extra, extra careful.
So when's the next 'R' club meet then?
PS: If anybody wants to buy me a pint ('cos I can't afford them now), I shall be at Virginia Waters on the 5th
Picked it up today and have been cruising around all afternoon. It felt like buying it again for the first time, the bill wasn't dissimilar either.
Just trying to restrain myself from engaging 'sport mode' and flooring it. Have been advised to run it in for 200 miles or so, but I think I'll probably do nearer 1000 just to be extra, extra careful.
So when's the next 'R' club meet then?
PS: If anybody wants to buy me a pint ('cos I can't afford them now), I shall be at Virginia Waters on the 5th
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