hi all,
i'm having an intermittent fault with my 2000 xj8 3.2 executive, 57,700 miles. i've owned the car just over 2 years now and this is the first time for this problem.

two days ago a tapping/ticking noise started to eminate from the front left hand side of the engine(drivers side stateside or as in my case passenger side england) this noise appears to be coming from the top of the engine.

the following day i started it, no noise, drove it 200 miles home and not once did the noise reappear.

today it was quiet on start up but within 10 miles it has started making the noise again and has continued all day.

any suggestions as to faults, remedies, costs etc would be very much appreciated.

i've read that these engines don't use hydraulic lifters for the valves, is this the case?

thanks in advance for any advice.

 

You say tapping noise, I'm not sure about the 3.2, but if it was the 4.0 I'd be thinking secondary timing chain tensioner. You can use a stethoscope or the old screwdriver to the ear trick and see if you can narrow down where the noise is coming from. If it's on the front end of the valve cover do some searching on 3.2 timing issues. I just finished the job on my '01 4.0. I'd get more of what I referred to as a knock that wasn't there cold but got more pronounced as she warmed up. If a tensioner has failed the chain gets enough slack in it to slap around a bit. If it's a tensioner, I'd quit driving it and get it in the shop. On the 4.0 they say a one tooth slip and it's reduced performance mode, 2 teeth and it's an engine rebuild.

 

hi bluerdg,

thanks for the info.
do you know how these tensioners work, ie hydraulic etc, as it seems strange that it made the noise one day, no noise at all the second day during its 200 mile trip and then started up again on day three.

thanks again for the info
all the best, rod.

 

As most people are gone to bed, here's the deal...

First, most longtime members here will agree that you need to consider whether it is the secondary tensioners. Until that is determined, you should not start the car.

Second, use the search function for: secondary tensioner

you will find more information than you could possibly read.

 

hi all and thanks for the info. i've now got the car at the garage waiting to be inspected. as soon as any diagnosis is made i'll post it back here.

 

hi, the mechanic has had a look today and has said that it's not the tensioners but that the smaller of the camchains has stretched.

there are now two options i'm told one of which involves a split link chain.

has anyone had any dealings with split link chains or can you tell me if there is such a thing.

any help is once again appreciated.