Hello all.

I just got my 98 Jag VDP back from an import specialist who replaced all the timing chains, guides and blades. Metal replacements for guides and blades were installed from Christopher’s foreign parts kit. Idler and tensioner pulley replaced, along with serpentine belt and even the upgraded aluminum thermostat housing unit.

I’ve had a rhythmic ticking that starts at hot idle, and goes up with RPMs till it virtually disappears.

Here’s a video. Now that I hear it, it’s hard to tell on the video, darn.
It was there before the work, and sadly, all this work didn’t remove it. Pretty bummed, but grateful to have this Jag fixed up to hopefully go for years to come without premature failing. Only 108,000 miles after all.

Any ideas what could still be causing this ticking?

 

I would guess it's either an injector or a valve. It could well be worth putting some additive in the petrol to clean the injectors as a low cost starting point. Also, when was the oil changed? A drain, full flush, new filter and oil would help if it is the hydraulic lifter on a valve sticking.

 

Sounds like usual injector tick. 1. Try BG44k or any other really good fuel system cleaner. 2. Turn up the volume on the radio!! 3. Oil and filter change a good idea, but not to clean the hydraulic lifters (they're solid). 4. A new fuel filter, too. 5. Drive it, enjoy it, turn off the sweat pumps!

One man's opinion.

 

Thanks for the tips guys. Got a little sidetracked with troubles on my Land Rover Discovery 2 (yes, I'm a glutton for punishment).

I'll try a fuel injector cleaner this week. Fuel filter was recently changed, no difference, and ticking has persisted since I got it a year ago, before and after oil changes. For now, I'm going to through the fuel injector in there and then not sweat it anymore. I mean, I can finally rev this engine hard without worrying about it blowing to pieces, so I'm a very happy camper. Before the overhaul, I could actually hear the chains rattling around when I revved it too much—terrifying.

Also, no more "low coolant" indicator every two weeks, since the aluminum t-stat housing upgrade. Life is good for my Jag. I wonder how many miles I'll get out of this cat?

 

Change the oil regularly, fix things as they break, use good gas -- it will run forever!

 

This would be a "breakdown maintenance". I guess you meant "replace things before they break".

 

Not really. Some things you can replace knowing they are close to end of life (fuel pumps, maybe; fuel and air filters for sure; plugs, yep; pads and rotors, easy, must-do check; injectors, alternators, starters, bulkhead connectors, throttle bodies -- what's the point, fix as soon as they break)! I have found over the years you can "worry" a car to death, breaking stuff along the way (any old Ford, Rochester carbs, BMWs, that guy down in Oz, as examples).

Way up North, where it is cold, hoses, thermostats, temperature sensors, and batteries are predictable -- check them before the season. I am positive you have some equivalents from the high humidity in SEAsia. But I am not a fan of replacing stuff for the thrill of emptying the wallet.

One old man's opinion.