Hey guys,

I am new to the forum, and also new to Jaguar ownership. I have been a Porsche and Mercedes guy for a long time. I have above average mechanical ability, and do most of my own work. I am by no means a master mechanic.

I recently purchased a 2004 x type 2.5 for very cheap.
Nice car, water pump went bad and blew head gasket. The guy I purchased it from has done some rebuilds, and did both head gaskets, and also the water pump, and a few other things it needed. He bought the car with blown gasket from a friend, and was going to use it for a daily driver.

After rebuild, all three cylinders on front head are showing 35 psi. Car will not start. Since it is 3 cylinders, I am suspecting something not right with head gasket. I had him check his torque wrenches, and they are off by more than 30 psi.

Any suggestions as to what could be the issue here? Is it possible that the bad torque measurements are causing the head gasket to not seal properly, which in turn would cause bad compression in all 3 cylinders?

Any help appreciated from those with Jag tech knowledge.

thanks in advance.
Dennis

 

It would probably be prudent to re-torque the heads but unless you are getting water in the oil or bubbles in the cooling system I doubt it is the gasket. Most likely the valve timing is incorrect and the valves are not closing correctly. I would down load the tech manual and check the valve timing.

 

I am new to jags so apologize if that sounds ignorant. The car cranks fine without any apparent sounds of pistons hitting valves. Is this a non interference engine? Is it possible for the timing to be off enough to cause that kind of low pressure and still not do internal damage?

thanks for your quick response.

 

Can not find edit function for posts. what I meant was if I sound ignorant,

 

nobody?

 

Yes.

 

GalinhoATT, the other thing that I would be looking at is since the head gasket was bad and they overheated the engine, did the head become warped? I would think that could cause the low cylinder pressures too.

Like was mentioned, retorque the bolts. Granted, I would need to double check, but it is very possible that you would end up getting new bolts as these are stretch bolts and can only be tightened one time.

Granted, the timing being off can cause the low pressures too. Found that one out the hard way with a different engine.

 

I would suggest doing a leak down test and see if you can hear/see where the air is escaping.
then take it from there.

 

I am sending it in to a jag tech. $100 to diagnose the problem. I am hoping I have found an honest shop.