Hi,
I 've got the "rocks inside the beer can" noise coming from the front of my engine 87 series 3 xj6. I'm attempting to tighten the top chain and have researched the use of the homemade special tool to depress and turn the locking pins. I thought i'd clean the breather screen and pipes as well since recently it looks like oil is seeping from everywhere. Does the breather screen pry right out or is it held in place with something. Also any other tips on this job would be helpful
thanks
Jeff

 

The breather screen pops right off....unless a previous owner has glued in in place with gasket adhesive, as the screen is sandwiched between two gaskets. Clean the breather *pipes* as well.

The locking pin (singular) is often so gunked-up that it can't be depressed. What I do is just wriggle it out with a pair of pliers and clean it (and the hole) with mild solvent. This requires removing the center bolt and the little serrrated wheel...no big deal. For god sakes don't let the pin or the tiny spring behind or anything else it fall into the engine.

Cheers
DD

 

Thanks Doug
Where is this spring located? behind the pin? will it shoot out if i pull the pin?

 

Yes, behind the pin. It isn't a very strong spring. 'Fall out' might be more accurate then 'shoot out'

Cheers
DD

 

Push some cloth packing down below the timing sprocket so if anything does fall, it won't fall to the bottom of the timing chest. You could also buy one of these: -

JAGUAR DAIMER 6 CYL XK ENGINE TIMING CHAIN ADJUSTING TOOL JD2B | eBay

It makes the adjustment job a doddle.

While you're at it, thoroughly clean the little oil mist trap "thimble". You'll find this below the rubber "dome" where the breather tube connects near the round timing cover.

 

Thanks Fraser,
I saw that tool and l also found on this forum instructions on how to fabricate my own which I'm in the process of doing. I did not have that thimble part whren I removed the breather cap.I have to find one. in the mean time I'll clean everything else. There's lots of gook
Jeff