hi guys... been in the forum a lot before jumping in and getting myself a 99 xjr. this forum helped me a lot in making my decision to buy my first jag! no regrets... love the cat! i know my car is affected by the nikasil and tensioner issues so i guess i get paranoid about it.

i shopped around, saw some unmaintained ones but surprised how good the nikasil engine runs after 200k! this one was really taken cared of, slight stone dings on the hood only (paint is still shines like brand new), no rust, great interior for a 9 year old car! i just fell in love right away when i sat in it and test drove it and said this is it!!! gone are the nikasil and tensioner issues that i read prior hahahaha! i did get a 1 year warranty from the jag dealership! i had the car rustproofed before parking it for the winter, the undercarriage and exhaust was painted to the tee so i couldnt see rust. man it was really clean!

2 questions that i need advice on:

1. when the car is in park, idling, and i engage the sport mode - i hear a "slight buzzing sound." is this normal? it goes away when you put it in drive or rather because the car the car goes to a certain hum, you cant hear the buzzing anymore.

2. when i start the car in the morning, i call it a slightly rough idling- how can i describe this.... the car shakes slightly but it goes away when the engine has warmed up. the engine hums pretty well though, just shaking, so i dont think the timing is off. my jag mechanic checked it and says not to worry about it.

my cat's history or what i know:

nov 98 manufactured - nikasil engine
purchased by first owner, aug 99
106,995 kms on it now
no history after warranty

thanks guys!

 

Thanks for the info man! I do have a feeling that rough idle issue is due to a failing timing chain tensioner. The only problem is, if it isn't broken yet, the dealership won't change it. If I have the engine opened, they will charge me for it. Therefore, if nothing is wrong with it still - since it could be in the early stages, they will charge me for it. This will fall under preventive maintenance on my part. If there is a crack, then they can replace it with probably no charge at all. How much did it cost you to replace the tensioners?

My mechanic says, don't do anything with it first.What I don't know is, is that good advicebecause it is too early to diagnose a real problem this early and opening it will only be money spent tosatisfy my curiosity?Or is he trying to avert cost on his end - (since vehicle is in warranty by a 3rd party insurance co.)?Iguess this could not be answered till the engine is actually opened and inspected.They really won't fix it till it's busted. The extended warranty is from a 3rd party insurance company not from the dealership. This means that this will not cover Jag recall issues. They will fix it though if it breaks down.

The car doesn't have the rattling sound like your car had though. Did yours start this way too? I know from other threads that if you hear a rattling sound, have it towed to the dealership right away - this is safer than taking the risk of driving it and the tensioner breaking on the way to themechanic.

I saw your old thread, somebody mentioned - "if it ain't broke, don't fix it". I do understand how mechanics think because I have closely worked with them in the past and I also had an auto parts store (now closed) - I think my tech is saying it in good faith.

Oh you asked how much I got the car for? $11,500 CAD tax included.

XJs are really sweet to drive and it's quite a looker too. I like the color of your car - great combo, red with cream interior.
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Any info on the buzzing sound when engaging in sport mode? I haven't gone to the dealership yet. I guess I could ask him when I have the oil changed in Feb 2009.