Hello,
I will appreciate any input on this one, my '96 XJR is whining at start (and when turning off the engine), and on initial acceleration (to about 30mph) there is a rattle from the engine. When I slow down to go round a corner, and then accelerate the rattle occurs. Is there a chance it has to do with the timing belt?
Thanks for your thoughts and help.

 

The AJ16 I6 engine has a timing chain setup not a belt my car had the chains and tensioner,s replaced at 160, 000 k,s before my ownership so I cant comment but someone else may chime in could be harmonic balancer these make noise on start-up hopefully its not your s/c

 

Your problem may not be as bad as you think, may be a worn waterpump or a sc coupler. Take a piece of hose, 2-3 feet, and place one end to the waterpump and the other to your ear, do this to everything that turns while your car is running. you will find your rattle with this easy diy tool.

 

Problem is leaking valves, burning oil and major oil loss. The oil was down to less than a quart. The oil pressure had not fallen, and the oil light did not come on. Took the car to my usual mechanic who advised that the head needed to come off, the valves replaced, etc for the sum of $4,500. OR check the oil every week and top up as necessary. Checking oil level now added to weekly tasks!

 

Try replacing the valve stem seals

I have done it on a few older cars over the years

First time I did it I used coiled nylon rope into the spark plug hole wound the engine over to a point that held the valve up made a lever tool that allowed me to depress the valve springs and release the valve locks bit of tinkering slowed oil consumption and smoking drove the car for another 70,000 k,s before selling it

Nowadays they have an air fitting in the spark plug hole and custom valve depressing tool

You could also try a can of seal swell cant hurt

Maybe up the oil viscosity a bit slow the burning as well there are a lot of things that can be done to keep an engine running