I'm working on getting an 05 S Type ready for my daughter to drive. I have both cam covers off checking chain tensioners which turned out to be good. It has a pronounced rattle on cold start. At one point, I got an error code related to a VVT solenoid but I don't remember what it was. Should I replace the solenoids while I have it apart? As always, any advice is welcome.

 

How many miles, and do you have a full service history.
Has it been left not used for sometime. The crank vibration damper looks a bit rusty.
The VVT don't usually give trouble, if the oil is changed at recommended intervals.

For the cost, I would do an engine oil clean-up and flush and see if it improved the start up rattle.

While you are in there, I would change the thermostat housing, tends to fail internally and cause overheating, if its replacement history is unknown.
The N/A valley pipe the small short one, water pump to throttle body, renew as easier to do it know.
Check the belt tensioners bearing, the bearing can be pushed out on these, and runs smoother & quieter.

 

https://landroverforums.com/forum/at...t-variants.pdf

phaser rattle is common but i've never seen it turn into anything worse

 

Car has ~100k miles. No service history. Oil was clear when we bought it and I drove it back and forth to work for about a month with no serious issues.
I took it apart and ordered a bunch of parts. Then, between my wife/grandkids scheduling me for things and bad weather, it sat on jackstands for 5-6 weeks which is why the pulleys are rusty.
I replaced the therm housing/crossover, water pump, DCCV valve, idler, tensioner, belt, and every hose I could get.
As long as the startup rattle isn't doing damage, I don't care about it. It just looked like a good opportunity, while I had the cam covers off, to replace the solenoids if they were potentially at fault which sounds unlikely. The inside of the engine, what I can see, is very clean so I'm going to guess it's had at least the minimum oil changes done. The goal is to head off common failure points before I turn my daughter loose in it.

 

I know the feeling!

Looks like you have covered all their main points, Good work.

The Oil side does look clean from what I can see.

May be slightly thicker oil would help, if your still having the noise.

Fuel filter, rear diff oil, steering fluid, brake fluid and the transmission filter and fluid, and good battery, then your all good. But I expect you know that.

The Daughter can do her worst then.

 

Use a quality oil filter that includes a drain back valve.

Do not use oil with a higher viscosity rating as it can cause issues with the VVT units.