I just bought a 2002 X-type with a 2.5L, automatic from a friend. She said the engine started making a loud noise all of a sudden. Her (non-jag) mechanic said the engine was blown up.
She took good care of the car and had the oil changed regularily. There is no mix of water and oil. I've worked on lots of cars...but no jags.
Is there any preliminary diagnostics checks I car run before I buy a replacement engine?

 

322, are you familiar with the Ford Duratec engine series. If so, you are now playing with a Duratec. Jaguar just made a few minor changes. Treat this motor just like any other Ford product you may have worked with and any other manufacturer for that matter. There is nothing really special about this motor. Start up the motor, see what you got and go from there. These motors are normally pretty bullet proof. So, to hear about the motor suffering a major problem is unusual.