So, my XJ has started making a very nasty sound. TBH, it sounds like big-end bearings to me. Either that or the timing chain.

What do you think?

Engine bay

From outside with hood shut

 

I can think of 3 things to check. 1, if you have a supercharge the pulley shaft has a spring in it and there was a TSB about the spring going bad. 2, check the timing chain tension. 3,could be the water pump bearing going bad. But that's just my ideas.

 

Not an SC engine so it's not that. Water-pump bearing would be good outcome as that's not too expensive to fix.

It does sound external to the engine rather than internal but it's hard to tell.

 

Can you take a small mirror and see if there is coolant leaking from the weep hole on the underside of the water pump and if so that may be your issue.

 

Can't get in there at the moment without taking bits off. Will try and get in there tomorrow.

Gonna have to drive it like it is for the minute. Just hope the motor doesn't let go on me.

 

Strange sounds from the engine bay? Join the party!

https://www.jaguarforums.com/forum/x...riance-181551/

 

I would say it is a water pump. Had similar situation on my previous XF

 

Mine had similar noise, I thought it was normal Now I need to rethink.

 

Well, it doesn't seem to be getting any worse. It may have been doing it for a while and I just didn't notice because the car is so quiet inside. I only noticed it because I forgot my phone and got out of the car to get it with the engine still running.

 

Remove the drive belt and spin all the pulleys I think its the tensioner bearing but spin them all to see which one makes a noise

 

Thanks for that. I've not got the time to take it apart myself right now but it's going in to my local independant on Friday for him to take a look. He'll take the belts off and see what's what. I'll get him to remove the belt and spin up the motor. If it still rattles then it's internal and I'll undo my belt and bend over for the inevitable massive bill.
Here's hoping it's just the tensioner or the water pump.

 

I'm in the same boat, had a similar rattle, and got hit with worse case scenario, mine was only bad timing tensioner, but the loose timing caused irreparable damage to one of the heads/camshaft. Luckily motor itself was ok. I decided to swap with a newer motor and part out my old motor. I was quoted almost 3,500 just to repair timing, and since there was play in the one camshaft I was advised against just repairing timing. Good luck tomorrow!!! I pray you'll get lucky and it's water pump, or you caught timing issue before any damage was done. Let us know what they diagnose.

 

Happy to report that it's the water pump. Bearings are shot. Booked it for a new one.

Phew!

 

That's great news!!!
������

 

Yeah, never have I been more happy to be given a £400 bill.

 

Been there, done that. Welcome to the club!

 

Waterpump fitted. Noise gone.
Gave the car a good thrashing in Dynamic mode down some back roads to celebrate.