Put the car into Jaguar this week as there was a vibration and a humming noise from the front, and a creak when going over speed bumps....

Turns our the suspension arm needs replaced, a bush in the suspension and the Cat Converters.....

Suspension arm needs replaced due to a worn bush and the whole arm needs replaced, lucky this is replaced by warranty...as for the other bush $276 to replace...

That is the easy part.....the Cat converters are quoted at $ 3,760.00 to replace both....... Almost the same price as i paid for my 2000 Daimler (Whole Car)...lol....

Looking around there does not seem to be much option this part of the world in regards to specialists....so think I am going to have to go with the dealer...

Out of interest how does that dealer price compare with the US prices?

2009 XJ Portfolio

 

I would have thought any mechanic should be able to replace a pair of catalytic converters, its fairly simple stuff to replace exhaust parts, surely ? Anyway, who told you they need replacing and why ?

Does the UAE have any onerous import regulations ? If not, get them on-line from wherever they are cheapest. However, they are not going to be cheap, that is a fact.

 

It would take some really slick convincing for me to spring for new Cats.

 

The suspension arm and bush are reasonably connected with the vibration and humming.

If it's throwing no codes and the emissions are OK, there can be no justification for replacing the Cats.

Graham

 

There were no codes and omissions are ok, just a small vibration coming from the engine compartment when accelerating which lead them to check the exhaust, they did an internal inspection of the cat by camera and have noted that the honeycomb is falling apart.

They also stated that they need replaced along with the cats modified heat spark plugs, the guy dealing with it was not there when I picked it up so limited info on the plugs and what it meant.

the car has 109K km on it...reading through the forum I have seen a few comments stating that the cats are generally good for 100K.... so I guess they are ready for replacement anyway?

Vibration has gone and the car drives smooth now (as can be with 20 inch rims), had a slight vibration at 110K/ph previously along with the humming when coming to a stop..... Tyre noise still high (Pirelli P Zero's)

Brakes still feel sticky (car (brakes) judder when slowly releasing or compressing brake at slow (Standstill) speed) when going very slow... all discs and pads where replaced 3 months ago...was the same on the old and the new.....

Maybe I am just to used to the smoothness of the Daimler.... no comparison in regards to a quiet smooth driver from the Daimler to the portfolio, though I guess that is due to the 20" rims on the portfolio.

The Beast:

 

X350 cars are never smooth riding, I get a constant jiggling that I am now inured to. Any X350 car with the Sport air springs will be the same. 20" wheels make it much worse, so you could swap to 18" and then save money on tyres too. I have assembled a complete set of new old-stock Comfort springs and will be fitting these soon. There's also the front spring/shock lower mounts to be done. An awkward job, as sometimes the securing bolt is rusted in, so the straight lower wishbone, (that holds the bush) has to come off with the spring and then dismantled on the bench, where access is better, and saws can be used to cut the bolt.

As for the catalysts, I'd keep going with them for a while yet until you get fault codes put up. No point in doing unnecessary and expensive work

 

If there were no codes and emissions are within range then it was illogical to check the internal condition of the Cats unless there is physical evidence of impact.

I suspect they checked your WTP Module (Willingness To Pay) to assist with this diagnosis and recommendation.

Graham