I found this seller on Ebay the other day, searching for an ashtray assembly. He is parting it out, still has a TON of parts available. All with photos. My piece was around $70.00, well below the $350+ from the factory. Check it out if you need some spare parts for a 04-08 XJ series. Just type jaguar in the "store search".

http://stores.ebay.com/useparts2008

 

Good find. Everything but the engine block & heads.

So, I take it the engine exploded.

 

Hey Marsden,

Interesting, I wonder if there is a weak point that will become evident on the 4.2. There was one on here that siezed an intake cam at the front journal and broke a primary chain. The other day I found a 2007 XK coupe, 50K miles, with a duff engine.
Poor maintenance/ operator error will always account for the odd engine failure, and I hope there is not a pattern of anything more frequent.

 

The car was in an accident - front left damage, did not look too bad. He had the engine and transmission too, I guess just sold them.

 

Thanks V. Poboyblues is giving us the rundown on his experience with 4.2 failures, which seem pretty rare.