When I get out of the car, I can smell a little burnt oil. Is there a common leak issue with the 4.0 motors? Valve cover gasket or cam seal?

 

Valve cover gaskets are the most common problem usually due to over tightening the cover bolts. The 'gaskets' are more like 'O' rings and will not seal better by exceeding tightening torque specs.

 

Oil leaking from the cam covers can accumulate on the exhaust manifold heat shieids, usually running down to the bulkhead end, and then it will drip onto the exhaust manifold and burn. Can you see any smoke with the engine warmed up - it should be quite visible if this is the case.

AndyP

 

I haven't seen any smoke. I'll take a closer look at tomorrow.

Is there a place that most people get seal/gasket kits or something? Any brand kits to avoid?

 

I'm looking at valve cover gaskets. It looks like there is a A - Right and B - Left. I assume that B would be the US drivers side???

I'm considering replacing on the one that is leaking. Should I do both? Will the other leak soon?

 

For parts identification purposes, Left and Right are referenced from standing at the rear of the vehicle looking forwards.

The other side gasket may never leak. I've often done only the side that is leaking. Not a believer in fitting new parts unnecessarily!

My only absolute exception to this is with tyres where I always replace both sides at the same time.

Graham

 

Thanks for the input. That's what I believe in all 3 cases. I had a car with over 400,000 miles on it that never had a seal leak, other than a water pump and transmission.

I'll verify the B bank leak and replace that one. Are they straight forward or do I need to know some tricks? Tutorial thread?

 

The gaskets come in sets for both sides. Here is a link discussing removing/replacing the valve covers. https://www.jaguarforums.com/forum/j...17/#post316489

 

Thanks for the link.

 

Maybe I should have started a stage 0 thread. Every time I open the hood or take a close look at this car I see something else that needs to be fixed.

1. I see no evidence of the spark plugs ever being replaced. The owners manual states 100,000 miles and the car now has 116,110. So I'll check the manual or pull a plug to see what is in there. I'm getting 22 mpg around town to I'll keep what it has.
- Any recommendations?

2. The seen that the serpentine belt looks old and has any cracks.
- Is the tensioner close to the alternator or other side?

3. Cleaning the ABS wheel sensors did not clear the ABS issue so I will pull the module, open it up and see if it needs to be soldered. Looks like I will have to disconnect the brake lines because they curve quite a bit aside the module.

Oh, after a closer look at the heads, it appears that both sides of the motor will need cam cover gaskets.

 

There is a 3-notch guide by the belt tensioner indicating the degree of stretching, but if your belt has cracking it should be replaced.

See here for a good pic and description of belt removal :
Tmingi chain and tensioner replacement

If you're going to remove both valve covers to do the gaskets you may as well replace the plugs while all the coils are off.
Use minimal torque for the valve cover bolts - a little over hand tight is enough - too much and the gaskets will leak again.

AndyP

 

Thanks. Ordering gaskets, plugs, and the belt tomorrow.