Hi, I am a middle aged woman and I have just bought my first Jaguar, which I absolutely adore. It's an X Type 2004. I've had it about four months and it's been an absolute dream, until last night.
No problems driving it late Saturday night, no problems at all. Went to start it Sunday night and it was making a right racket in the engine, and it then cut out.
Symptoms are it runs but is extremely rattly, and after about 60 seconds it dies. Burning diesel smell coming from exhaust. No warning lights on dash.

I have had a man out from a garage and he ran the laptop diagnostics and ummed and ahhed, and he said he thinks I need a new replacement timing chain at £700. Now I don't have a problem with paying that and getting it done, but my research has told me that these Jaguars never need their timing chain replaced, and I don't want to get mugged off because I'm a woman.

Any ideas on what else it may be? Just an indication, so I can at least look like I know what I'm talking about with him. Is it true that it's extremely unlikely to be the timing chain need replacing?

(And no, I haven't put petrol in it)

All I can say is it has really been working like a dream, so this isn't something that's been slowly going wrong.

Any advice would be very much appreciated.

 

sparkx, first off, welcome to the Forums. Lots of good information and better people here. But, we do ask a small favor of you. Please stop by the New Member Section and tell us a little ditty about you and your kitty. We pride ourselves in being a better car group and as part of that, we like to keep things with more of a "family" type feel. So, we like to get to know one another. This will also give you a chance to meet those that make this place what it is.

As for your problem, because it came on suddenly, I am thinking more a fuel injector than anything. i would find it hard to believe that the engine jumped timing because as you mentioned, the timing chains on these cars are pretty reliable. By chance, do you have the "Check Engine Light" on (the yellow engine looking light on the instrument cluster)? If so, see if you can get someone to read the codes for you and then post them here. This may help us give you a more accurate diagnosis of the engine (kinda hard without being able to put our hands on it).

When the engine does run, is the exhaust kinda a black/sooty looking? If so, this would lead me back to the fuel injector. The other problem that you may want to have investigated is the EGR valve. On the diesels, this is much more likely to fail than the timing chain and it can lead to what you are seeing.

Worst case, take it to a different shop and see if they say the same thing. If they match up, then I would trust what they say and have the timing chain replaced. But, if the mechanic is saying fuel injector or EGR valve, I would beleive that more than the timing chain.

 

Evening Thermo, and thanks for your reply. I will go say hello )

There are no warning lights on the dash, I specifically took note of the amber engine malfunction light to see if stayed on. They all go off once the engine is running. I did check to see if anything had been put up the exhuast and I did get a very black hand, it's extremely sooty. This mechanic didn't mention the injectors or the EGR valve or anything else, his first and only diagnosis was the chain belt, which, as I mentioned, I already have researched, is unlikely to break.

I think I will get another mechanic out for a second opinion, I just wanted a little reassurance that I am correct in thinking the above before I do.

Thanks again for you reply x

 

What's the car's Mileage, when was it last serviced?

As referenced, the Cambelt suggestion isn't all that convincing......but possible.

 

Hi Barry,
It's done 75k, had two previous careful lady owners and had its last service end of 2013 at 65k miles

 

Just reading through previous work receipts and even though the work was done in Poland and are in polish I have translated that it had four new 'CARBURETOR JETS' fitted on 6th June (Sada tryska + kolotoc in Polish) at a cost of 535 euros. I think these are injectors?

 

To state the obvious, 75K miles on a diesel is nothing.......not to be too cynical, I do worry about the suggestion of two careful lady owners, forgive me but this sounds like a second hand car salesman's pitch!

Obviously there are no carburettors in a diesel, I did attempt to translate without success.........can you try to establish the whereabouts of a reputable independent Jag specialist..........

Where abouts are you, just the general area not your address and I can attempt to come up with some names an details.

Regards,

B

 

You could check out. just saw yoou were in Kent
C.A.M. Jag Kent Independent specialist 20 yrs experience 01322 381578

Although to be fair, a good diesel mechanic should be able to resolve the issue.

B

 

I have all receipts and records/history and did a paid check before I bought it. It was a private sale. Definitely two female owners. The car went kaput travelling through Europe earlier this year and she paid a total of 1345 euros to get it fixed, but the whole list of repairs is in polish or Slovakian, so haven't a clue lol. I'm in folkestone, Kent. Do you think a jag specialist would be a better idea than a regular garage?

 

See below link to some of the recomended jag specialists in the UK .....

https://www.jaguarforums.com/forum/u...rvices-113590/

Difficult to help to diagnose with further info, but may be EGR related and worthwhile considering at that mileage. It may benefit from being removed / cleaned or could be needs replaced, but check further first with a Jag specialist.

 

sparkx: Welcome to the forum.

If you have an iPhone or similar, try taking pictures of the repair receipts and upload them here (cover the former owner's name, address, etc.). Chances are someone will recognize the language and translate it for you.

 

Thank you for your replies. The guy who came out yesterday was a 'mate of a mate', he does own a garage and was recommended to be trustworthy so gave him a shot, but I'm going to call my usual garage (loyal for ten years) today and see what they think. At least I can mention a few other ideas as you've posted above and at least sound like I know a little about what I'm talking about. Obviously if they mention the timing chain it will be an honest second opinion.
After my research it just seems like a very slim chance it'll be this, and why mention 8 hours of labour and total replacement at a hefty cost instead of just tightening, or not considering other options such as checking out the ECR or injectors, etc?
Will keep you updated

I will post the receipt for works dwclapp, you never know eh! That will also obviously also help the mechanic know what's already been done ;0)

 

Hi there, Welcome to the forum..
I'm sorry to hear that you have problems with your car though :-(
The advice offered above by Chris, Barry & Dwclapp has at least given you something to tell the garage, and indicates that you have some knowledge so you don't get ripped off - please keep us advised of how this goes.
Meanwhile, if you get a chance to hit the CP button on the top right of any page here, it would be an idea to update your signature to list your car details as it makes it easier for others to see what model, level of equipment etc you have and give more accurate advice, and if you haven't found it already there is a host of information about your car model here: X-Type - Jaguar Forums - Jaguar Enthusiasts Forum and about what's happening in your area here: UK - Jaguar Forums - Jaguar Enthusiasts Forum
I wish you the best with your car, and look forward to hearing all is sorted.

 

Thank you Steve. ( I thought I did update my signature, will try again)

I have since translated the receipt as the following:
Set nozzle carousel
Spring
Washer
Delphi repair kit
check cr injectors for test
repair cr injector Delphi
set of seals
bearings
transport pump
high pressure pump repair
venture tubes

The previous owner said she had all four injectors replaced, as new, it doesn't seem this is the case, does it? (had to take her word for it with the receipt being in Slovakian)

 

Hm, my injectors cost £863, some people can get them cheaper but not alot.........

As you suggest I doesn't look as if the injectors were replaced.

The point is were are all guessing at this distance, it requires someone round with the required expertise...........

If he's going to mess with the EGR value, I suggest that he blanks it at the same time ( If the mechanic knows Ford diesels engines) he hopefully knows about blanking!)

B

 

it's being collected Thursday morning by my usual mechanics. Will keep you updated. Thanks for all your advice and warm welcomes. Let's hope this doesn't end up costing me a second mortgage. (Being a woman I once had a plumber quote me £2,600 for repairs on my boiler, which ended up being a £2.50 washer) I'm not as dumb as I look, in some cases.