I'm assuming its either the VVT or the timing chain tensioner.

Thanks.

 

Not to worry, mine has the same sound and I wondered too. So far all other 5.0L NA XKs I've heard make the sound as well. I put an automotive stethoscope on the fuel rail where it is most noticable, so it is probably the DI injectors you're hearing.
The engine cover does a fairly good job of queting it but not completely. I've grown so use to it I don't even notice it anymore.

 

My '10 XKR does the same and I can't decide whether I should worry about it or not.

It seems to have got louder recently but I might have just become more sensitive to the noise.

It does settle down once the engine is warmed up though and also seems to go away under light load.

 

https://www.jaguarforums.com/forum/x...-noise-192397/

 

I dumped a quart of Slick-50 into the oil and everything quieted down.

 

Nothing to worry about your engine is fine , Mine sounds the same

 

I noticed last week that my noise comes and goes as I flick it between drive and neutral with drive being louder. I assumed it was the timing chains but when I had a quick listen yesterday it actually sounds like it is coming from the top of the engine. I had the supercharger coupler done 6 months or so ago so I don't think it is that.

https://www.dropbox.com/s/gp1q0ug1zn...Noise.mp3?dl=0

Once the engine has warmed up a little the noise goes but I will hopefully get the car booked in later in the week to get it looked at.

 

I used an automotive stethoscope on mine a while ago and discovered it was loudest at the top of the engine on the fuel lines. I figured it must be the fuel injectors cycling.
I haven't noticed any change cold or warm but it would be interesting to hear what your mechanic finds.

 

He is looking for reoccurring boat payments

 

Just to clarify, the sound I am hearing is over and above the sowing machine noise that the fuel injectors make and seems to go away as the engine warms up.

My mechanic had a quick listen with an automotive stethoscope and said that the front of the engine sounds fine so it looks like it isn't related to chains, dampers or VVT but, like yours, it sounds like it is coming from the fuel lines so he thinks it may be one of the high pressure fuel pumps as he has had to change a few of these. I have seen others on the forum have similar noised blamed on them as well.

 

Oh I just noticed it was you, and you have been most helpful.
Try my method, there is no downside to it and ancillary benefits.
Run copious amounts of techron through the fuel, do three engine flushes.

You are trying to eliminate phasers, injectors, chain tensioner from the equation.
I am here to tell you that I was able solve this problem in my car. To be honest with you I did not think I would, as its near impossible to remove deposits with chemicals. Now if you see the inverse of that equation, it means that it must not take a lot of deposits to buggerup one of these cars. And if I tie that with the info from your mechanic, it would indicate injectors. Yes those can be cleaned easily with chemicals.

 

If it's not direct injection noise and Q&C's advice above doesn't help, it may be noisy hydraulic chain tensioners and guides at startup. Read this thread from the XJ Forum and use 0W-20, not 5W-20, that meets the new JLR specs. The thinner viscosity builds hydraulic pressure faster and doesn't "cook" onto the guides like the 5W-20.

https://www.jaguarforums.com/forum/x...t-done-214277/