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So I was having fun this afternoon (it stopped raining), and the Jag ran well, was smooth and responsive. After several modifications it had never been better. Then, while pushing things a bit, there was a bang, power loss and some of the loudest backfires I ever heard. Riding home with the tow truck driver, I pictured a slipped timing chain, bent valves and worse. After finding that the only problem was a rotor that had lifted up and was rotating to its own beat, there were broad smiles all around the household. We can still afford a vacation this summer.
Reason for this post: how do I prevent this? I know that it can be difficult to seat the rotor and am careful to do that right even tapping it down lightly with a small mallet. Any suggestions as to what might be wrong and how to avoid a repeat would be welcome.
Bill You may just need to get a new matched rotor and Cap , from a good vendor. A possible cause!!!, assuming the rotor wasn't defective// The metal plate inside the rotor may have been sprung from being put on in a slightly off-set position from the shaft slot, weakening the spring action. It should seat with thumb pressure, when lined up on the shaft slot. Rgds David metal plate insert should keep rotor from slipping up or around???
David, just a quick update about what happened. I believe that the distributor cap fractured around the central contact. That allowed the rotor to lift up especially since it was a loose fit and the fireworks began once it started slipping. Everything has been replaced and it is running fine. Thanks for your input. Bill
"So I was having fun this afternoon (it stopped raining), and the Jag ran well, was smooth and responsive. After several modifications it had never been better. Then, while pushing things a bit, there was a bang, power loss and some of the loudest backfires I ever heard. Riding home with the tow truck"
Riding home in tow truck is the worst, but as Jaguar owner we have all done it.
Good to hear your are out, having fun and pushing it !!!! That's what having an XKE is all about. I think of cap and rotor like a "pacemaker", shopping for the best unit, not the cheapest.
Loose Rotor
