Back story:

Okay, a few months ago I had to replace 3 ignition coils (I used the Beck Arnley) because of misfiring.

The other day, car misfired, I read the codes, ordered a new ignition coil, went to put it in and noticed the offending cylinder misfire was one that was given a new ignition coil. Perhaps, more importantly, the spark plug was nearly covered in engine oil. I preceded to remove the spark plug and attempt to "soak up" as much oil as I could, and put everything back together (I did not use the brand new ignition coil because I am/was assuming the misfire was because of the oil in the cylinder).

Questions:

Is it possible that the ignition coil could have went bad in just a few months because it had some oil (just on the bottom cm or so) on it?

I know I need to replace the cylinder head gasket and the spark plug seals. Right? What's the best place to get them from? Rock Auto? How easy of a job is this? I'm in a college apartment complex, but I've still got plenty of tools. Is there anything in particular that I need? Can anyone tell me the average time it takes someone with competence to complete this task? I'll be needing to drive 120 miles by March 2 (going home), and still need to do normal errands until then. Should/can I wait until I go home to fix this? I'd MUCH prefer to fix it ASAP.

 

UK prices for cam cover gasket and seals was around £50, 2 years ago. A very easy job (compared with typical Jaguar jobs). Try to get the tech bullitin for torque specs and torque sequence (or PM me). You don't need to replace the cylinder head gasket, only the cam cover gasker, spark plug well seals and the 13(?) or so cam bolt seals - all around £50?
I had to place the seals onto the cylinder head then work the cam cover onto the seals from back of the car to front - seals didn't stick to camcover or it would have been even easier.

 

Thanks. Somewhere in my mind I knew it was the cam cover gasket rather than the cylinder head gasket. Is it also refereed to as the valve cover gasket? That's what google is giving me when I search "1997 Jaguar xj6 cam cover gasket".

 

Yes, it's the same thing.

 

Is there tech bullitin for torque spec on our forums?
Or if you will be nice to state here, considering I have to change mine to.
Thank you,

 

edit: torque specs given for wrong engine

 

Many thanks plums

 

FWIW I've had two new Beck Arnley coils fail...one at about 6months old and the other at about 9 months. No oil in the plugs wells, either.

The warnings about brand-x coils seem to be well founded. I "paid my money and took my chances".

Both were replaced under the 12 month warranty but this doesn't bode well.

Cheers
DD

 

There was a revised torque spec for the cam cover bolts. It's 5lb/ft or 6.5 Nm. It's tech bullitin 03.1-08. The torque was made less because the higher spec made produced more oil leaks.

 

Hello all!

I did use aftermarket coils on my AJ16 powered XJS and they ALL failed within a year. The OEM coils with the black made in Japan stickers are now available for 110.00 dollars. The difference between Back Arley coils and OEM is 20-30 dollars. Not worth it

 

make sure the valve cover itself has not corroded or deformed in the bottom of the six holes, where the rubber ring gasket makes contact with the head. if so, there was one on ebay , $ 200 and 1 $ 100. job is easy, get all new rubber gaskets. torque is 40 in/lb, bolts bottom out on the head , not the valve cover