Hello Everyone:
I am finally getting to the final fixes on my 2005 VDP project. I now have it in a Jag mechanic's shop. I am addressing a front end knock and the starter drag noise. On the first start up in the morning, the starter makes a noise for a split second after the car starts. Then you don't hear it anymore. The mechanic told me that they raised up the car and had someone hold on to the starter and could not hear anything. They thought it may be the timing chain. The car has 70K miles. Does anyone know how to tell if it is the timing chain or what this problem should sound like? How do you diagnose a timing chain problem?
Any help would be great. Thanks

 

Usually timing chain slap doesn't go away immediately after startup.

I am unfamiliar with jag specific timing chain symptoms, but the usual suspects are you will have some codes thrown indicating the car is having to greatly advance or retard the timing to keep things operating smoothly. Depending on how much other junk you have attached to the engine itself, you may be able to hear the slop in the chain as well as it smacks the worn down guides and tensioners.

Someone who spends more time here can maybe chime in and say if Jags are known for failing chains. I don't think they are.

 

Timing chains on the 4.2 are improved over the earlier V8s, and usually not a problem. Could it be VVT instead? Need more expertise than mine to diagnose & recommend a fix. HTH!