I have been really down about the upper timing chain rattle getting worse after spending $$Thousands$$ 3 years ago to replace it.
I even took it back to that shop and they said it was something else and the engine was failing and I should junk the car.
So I drove it gingerly for a while then it started spewing power steering fluid out the high pressure hoses.
And so I parked it whilst mulling over what to do about the car. Last week I finally decided to take action after it had been parked for months.
I got a new AGM battery and drove it to a mechanic that works on British cars.
He told me it was definitely the upper timing chain making the rattle. He said he would see what he could do about it.
He replaced the power steering hoses then removed the upper chain tensioner (I have the updated tensioner already). He turned the engine to the point of maximum tension on the chain.
He then manually adjusted the tensioner and bolted it back in. Cost of repairs was cheap!
Rattle gone and it purrs again! I'm driving it again with full confidence now because the mechanic said it was in fine shape and has many many more miles of life left.
I am truly overjoyed because I have invested so much money into this XJ6 to keep it in tip top condition.
It also has an expensive high resolution sound system installed. Feels good to have it back. Glad I didn't give up on it! Here's some photos from today:

 

Awesome news, it's always good to hear that another car has been saved from the scrapheap.
I recently changed out my power steering hoses, they were very perished after 25 years. They were all originals according to the date stamps
Well done for sticking with it.

 

Great that she is fixed. Do you happen to know how he managed to adjust the tensioner?

 

Nice car, very clean engine bay, just a small observation -
Is your cam cover oil cap on correctly ?
The wings usually run North/South in line with the cover, yours are at an angle.

John Herbert
(1996 XJR)

 

so what exactly have you done with the sound system?
i will be upgrading mine soon.
i will just be using an android head unit.
but will upgrade the speakers and probably use focal speakers amps and sub.
given i will use an android HU i may well need to use a USB DAC to get truly good quality. but i will see if that addition is needed after i install.

 

He said he could rotate the engine to maximum chain tension then manually adjust the tensioner and reinstall it.
For $100 fix it's nice and quiet now.

 

The cam cover is not original. I bought a used one and had it blasted and powder coated.
I used my original oil cap.

 

I'll make a separate post on the sound system.

 

To further clarify my observation, I believe it may be your oil cap that is not original, all cam covers would be the same, I am not aware of any variation in the oil cap cut out on the cam cover.
See pictures attached of X300 cam cover with no cap and picture of cap fitted, your cap apparently when closed is at odds with the norm.
I also attach photo of original oil cap for X300, note the difference to your cap.


John Herbert
(1996 XKR)