So short story I am buying my first Jaguar XE 2016 2.0 Diesel 180 HP tomorrow. It is having 98.000 miles (158.000 KM) and its running everything smoothly.The oil has been changed every 10.000 km (6200 miles) and its looking quite perfect outside and inside.The engine is silent.Now why i am writing here on this forum, is that I heard this XE is having major issues with the timing chain.Do you guys recommend me anything?Is that timing chain problem happening quite frequently or the fail rate is pretty low?And also what is the kilometer range in which you change the timing chain (e.g. every 90.000 miles or?) ?? Thank you so much in advance!

 

Hello,
This is a common question about buyers who wants to purchase a Jaguar diesel. The post is from an F-Pace forum but has the same engine as XE. Here's a link of previous discussions in the past. I am not fond of high mileage oil change. I have a gas engine & 7,500 miles is always my designated time for an oil change and I will do to on a diesel engine. I want my vehicles to go beyond 250K+ miles. That's just me, others might have a different outlook.
https://www.jaguarforums.com/forum/f...owners-248377/

 

If the car has got to nearly 100k miles, it looks as if the frequent oil changes have made all the difference, but probably also the use pattern of the previous owner(s). I would buy with confidence if it has a really good service history. Some people do look after their cars, (like me !!!), Although timing chain replacement is quite a large job it's not a huge job. Problem is the chain is at the back of the engine by the firewall, so not as accessible as one located at the front. Here in the UK, it's about a £1500 job which includes our 20% tax.

 

Yes, I do question the designers of the JLR Ingenium engine putting the timing chain at the back of the engine. This means that to get at it, not only must the engine be removed from the car, but also the transmission has to be separated from the engine, and then the torque converter, flywheel and engine back plate have to be removed as well. Quite a major job! I can only assume that the designers thought the chain and its tensioner would last the life of the engine so would never have to be accessed. Unfortunately this has not proved to be the case, either because of poor quality components, absurdely extended engine oil change intervals or more likely both.
Years ago I ran an Austin Maxi with one of the first overhead camshaft engines in a mass-produced car. Austin (and all BLMC products) were not renowned for their quality or reliability. However, I ran the Maxi to well over 150,000 miles and the timing chain and its tensioner were not touched and continued to work flawlessly. Of course back in those days I changed engine oil and filter every 3000-4000 miles and that may have helped engine longevity, but if Austin could do it in the late 1960s why can't JLR do it now?