I have a 1998 vdp that uses water/coolant. Can't see leaks anywhere, just replaced the water dist. pipe.

At stop sign saw lots of steam coming from the left tail pipe and low water message AND restricted performance. Both light go out less than a mile later and no more steam from pipe.

I'm thinking a blown head gasket. Any idea on the cost for that repair?

Oil is clean and not contaminated.


TIA

ap

 

I'm hoping one of the members in the windy city area can recommend a good indy shop. The dealers are more likely to want to sell you an engine. if you do a search here you will likely find some cost guides.

 

Buy a coolant pressure tester- once you give it pressure, the leak will become evident as you follow it up from the ground. Much cheaper than chasing the repair with parts.

 

It's my mom's car in the Bay area.

thx

 

The "standard" labor is 18.8 hours, so that works out to about $1,800 dollars plus another $200. or so for the gasket kit. I would sure change the primary and secondary tensioners too, if they weren't alread done, if I was doing the job.
BTW, as is common, it took me more than twice the labor allowance to do the job, even though I have all the tools. I guess I am just slow.

 

It is always better to do it once slow than twice fast.

There were guys in the Jag shop that would run 50-80 hours one week and then fix all the 'come-backs' for free the next few weeks.

You should be quick but never RUSHED!!!!

I just pulled the heads off a 2002 XJR this past week and I'm sure I did not set any record time wise.
They will NOT be going back on as the #8 piston is very loose in the bore (SEVERE OVERHEAT) and 3 dropped valve seats.

Currently looking for a good used replacement engine for the customer.
(Note to customer's wife, 'when a hose pops and the low coolant message in on, start looking for a place to pull over. When the gauge is PEGGED on HOT, SHUT THE ENGINE OFF')

bob gauff

 

bob
That's a lot to ask of a women

 

Thanks, was that for both gaskets or one side?

ap

 

That was one side. As I recall, both sides was about 26 hours

 

Jaguar warranty time for cylinder head gasket-engine set= 11.2 hours
Left or right cylinder head gasket= 8.7 hours each
These times are for version June 2005

A real world estimate is to multiply the warranty labor times 1.5 (plus maybe a little for dirty and corroded parts/fasteners)

Both heads--11.2 X 1.5=16.8 so maybe 20 hours but you might want to add a little more and get the timing chain tensioners updated.

I'm just going by the Jaguar Repair Time Searcher (formerly ROT or Repair Operation Times) but Mitchell or Alldata might have different repair times.

bob gauff

 

My times were from Alldata- They probably DO NOT assume Jag "factory trained" techs.

 

Anyone know the hours for R & R of a rebuilt long block engine?
1998 vdp.
thanks

 

Jaguar warranty time for engine replace and transfer ancillary parts is 11.3 hours.

11.3 X 1.5 = 17 hours

You might have to add some time for OLD CAR WITH CORRODED FASTENERS.

Maybe around 20 hours real world estimate.

bob gauff

 

Ant17, see if you can find someone with a block tester (or even buy one at a parts store). I think the snap-on one with the test fluid is $90. That is kind of an odd failure mode for an AJ engine headgasket but still plausible. Also it's worth pulling the plugs on that bank and see if you find a smoking gun spark plug.

 

MC, Realm, Thanks

The car was diagnosed and head gasket issue was found, it is getting the low water message, keeps using water. about 110K on the engine.

 

I am currently replacing a complete engine assy in a 2002 XJR.
The owner's wife drove with coolant leak until the engine quit.

3 dropped valve seats and #8 piston very loose in the bore.

In this case it will be more cost effective to replace the engine with good used than to remove and rebuild.

If the cylinder heads were the only issue then I would recommend just the head repair.

bob gauff

 

Agree with Motorcarman. Being as it's a '98 (unless you know it's a replacement engine) I would recommend doing a leakdown test on it before commencing an expensive headgasket repair. Obviously at least one cylinder is going to show leakage into the exhaust, however if you show any with significant leakdown into the crankcase you may have nikasil wear and be throwing good money after bad repairing an already failing engine.

 

I'm going with a rebuilt long block, since the head gasket repair was around $6000. The cost is about the same and the engine is rebuilt.

 

I doubt the 1998 VDP is worth much more than $6000 as a running, driving car.
You would be buying the car twice.

bob gauff

 

YUP, but buying a known item. Can buy another unknown and where are you at?