1996 XJ6 Clunking Noise
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1996 XJ6 Clunking Noise
Hi there, i'm new to these forums and I joined to get some help with a problem on my 1996 XJ6 4.0. I just bought the car two days ago for $300. The title was missing, and the owner wanted it out of his yard (it had been sitting for almost a year.) I purchased it because it looked very nice and started right up once I got a battery hooked up, and mainly because it only had 100,631 miles. Later on I found the title in the car anyways so I got a steal I think. But back to the point! All is running great, the car moves fine and the engine idles great and runs great. There is one thing I am unsure about. I haven't touched anything yet other than cleaning the car. I am getting a weird clunking/knocking sound that isn't very LOUD, but just enough to where you notice it if you aren't listening the radio. It sounds like its coming from somewhere in the front. It does it when you give the car gas, even 10% throttle it will do it faintly. Mainly uphills it will do it for sure, but it comes and goes. I was thinking the simple things, maybe a brake caliper is loose or maybe it has something to do with the brakes in general, because it's obvious the rotors are warped. I still haven't checked but I am asking for some opinions first. It will sometimes do it when you are in park revving the engine slightly. It's something i've never come accross before and its unusual. I plan on doing an oil change and checking the brakes tomorrow to see what's up. I've read that upper shock tower bushings may be it and as far as crankshaft bearings were the problem. I still dont know, all I can say is in short: My Jaguar XJ6 makes a clunking noise at light and full throttle RANDOMLY throughout driving and I am almost 100% positive it's coming from the front end.
I wrote a lot of pointless stuff, but maybe it will help
I'll take all the help I can possibly get!
I wrote a lot of pointless stuff, but maybe it will help
I'll take all the help I can possibly get!
Senior Member
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 654
Likes: 4
From: Albuquerque, NM
Mechanically speaking, the "front end of the car" encompasses a WHOLE lot of stuff. If the car is doing it while in park, it's most certainly in the engine (presumably nothing is loose in the engine compartment). I would have a friend/cohort give the engine some revs while you're under the bonnet, and see if you can narrow where the sound is coming from (a loose metal thing banging around aimlessly or if it's coming from within the engine itself, and, if so, top end or bottom end, etc).
Is the clunking light and tight? Meaning light pinging and more of a drum roll, or is it low and randomly beating? If it's the former, it may be something as simple as a loose tappet under the valve covers. If it's the latter, it could lead to an engine overhaul.
Is the clunking light and tight? Meaning light pinging and more of a drum roll, or is it low and randomly beating? If it's the former, it may be something as simple as a loose tappet under the valve covers. If it's the latter, it could lead to an engine overhaul.
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Thanks for the tips. I had a more mechanically inclined friend take a look and try to identify what the problem was. We sort of diagnosed it's coming from the engine. I had the car in park when the noise was going and we put our hands on the valve cover and it was doing a weird vibration. He then said try doing a spark plug change and what not and check the coil packs. Will a spark plug change fix this problem? Then I thought I might fill up the rear end with fluid and possibly grease the u-joints. Who knows. But, will spark plugs possibly help my situation?
Veteran Member
Joined: Jul 2009
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Likes: 1,236
From: Brittany France
Hi Welcome,
First get that oil changed now (car standing a year and you don't when it was done before that.)
Second do not go anywhere near full throttle until you have isolated and identified the noise you are hearing.
If it is a light clickety rattle type of noise it is likely to come from the top end of the engine.
If it is more of a heavy loud rapid knocking sound that increases with revs, it is likely to come from the bottom of the engine. If it is very bad it will deafen you, especially going up hill. (sounds like a jack hammer)
You say that your car has been standing for a year, so therefore no oil has been pumped up to the top end of the engine.
Your upper timing chain tensioner will have been dry and could well be sticking, causing a rattley chain. When you have changed the oil + filter and you start the car DO NOT REV IT allow the oil pump to do its work in getting the oil up there.
You may notice that the noise dies away as the car comes up to temperature, plan on eventually changing the tensioner.
You could also have sticky 'valve lifters' I think you call them. Giving similar symptoms as above, again folow the same gentle starting procedure.
Treat the thing gently until you know what you are dealing with.
Changing the plugs etc, probably a good idea whether or not, but don't expect miracles.
You can fill your rear end with fluid, but I doubt it will help the engine.
First get that oil changed now (car standing a year and you don't when it was done before that.)
Second do not go anywhere near full throttle until you have isolated and identified the noise you are hearing.
If it is a light clickety rattle type of noise it is likely to come from the top end of the engine.
If it is more of a heavy loud rapid knocking sound that increases with revs, it is likely to come from the bottom of the engine. If it is very bad it will deafen you, especially going up hill. (sounds like a jack hammer)
You say that your car has been standing for a year, so therefore no oil has been pumped up to the top end of the engine.
Your upper timing chain tensioner will have been dry and could well be sticking, causing a rattley chain. When you have changed the oil + filter and you start the car DO NOT REV IT allow the oil pump to do its work in getting the oil up there.
You may notice that the noise dies away as the car comes up to temperature, plan on eventually changing the tensioner.
You could also have sticky 'valve lifters' I think you call them. Giving similar symptoms as above, again folow the same gentle starting procedure.
Treat the thing gently until you know what you are dealing with.
Changing the plugs etc, probably a good idea whether or not, but don't expect miracles.
You can fill your rear end with fluid, but I doubt it will help the engine.
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Very good tips, I am in the process of waiting to do an oil change, the car isn't being driven much. It's in my driveway awaiting the rain to go away then i'll do the 8 QT oil change. I expect some difference and I really appreciate your tips. And I have been too scared to full throttle it because of the noise. But I have hit the throttle 100% a few times when the noise wasn't there. As it comes and gose. And I am aware spark plugs wont cause miracles, but hey, its worth it! And the rear end fluid just simply needs to be filled.
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