Towed to the shop. Again.
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Towed to the shop. Again.
For the second time in two years my car had to be towed to the shop. I'm hoping it doesn't cost $2000 like it did last time.
I went through a car wash and the car drove fine when I left. The car wash might be completely unrelated to the issue, but it also might be a clue. I drove five minutes down the road, parked for about 10 minutes, and when I came back out and started the car, it immediately ran very rough. Like, REALLY rough. I gave it a little gas and the display immediately said "restricted performance". The check engine light came on. When I let off the gas the engine sputtered to a stop.
My first thought was water in the fuel. Maybe the gas cap wasn't on good? I checked it. It was maybe a little loose. Maybe. If a little water got in the fuel tank then it should cycle through right away. I tried starting again and it was the same; the engine ran rough.
I hooked up my OBDII scanner with the Jaguar-specific software. It showed misfires on all 8 cylinders. Every single one. I reset the codes, started it again to try to get any water to cycle through. I repeated this process for the next hour or so.
I also checked under the hood for any obvious signs of water, but I didn't see any, even though my car is an R with big holes in the hood. I think the heat of the engine probably boiled off any stray water droplets.
So anyway... here I sit. In my recliner. The garage is empty. I'm sad.
I went through a car wash and the car drove fine when I left. The car wash might be completely unrelated to the issue, but it also might be a clue. I drove five minutes down the road, parked for about 10 minutes, and when I came back out and started the car, it immediately ran very rough. Like, REALLY rough. I gave it a little gas and the display immediately said "restricted performance". The check engine light came on. When I let off the gas the engine sputtered to a stop.
My first thought was water in the fuel. Maybe the gas cap wasn't on good? I checked it. It was maybe a little loose. Maybe. If a little water got in the fuel tank then it should cycle through right away. I tried starting again and it was the same; the engine ran rough.
I hooked up my OBDII scanner with the Jaguar-specific software. It showed misfires on all 8 cylinders. Every single one. I reset the codes, started it again to try to get any water to cycle through. I repeated this process for the next hour or so.
I also checked under the hood for any obvious signs of water, but I didn't see any, even though my car is an R with big holes in the hood. I think the heat of the engine probably boiled off any stray water droplets.
So anyway... here I sit. In my recliner. The garage is empty. I'm sad.
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Jun 18, 2021, 04:41 PM
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From: Los Angeles
Reverand Sam,
Eight years ago when I was getting ready to purchase my 2010 XKR, when the seller brought the car to my mechanic, within 30 seconds, my mechanic said he could hear that the engine was "toast." This might have explained why when I test drove the car I was less than impressed with its performance. The seller after recovering from the shock, realized he had an aftermarket warranty, and he called them. They agreed to have my mechanic source a used engine and install it. We found a 5900 mile wrecked car with a good engine for $6000,00. I've put a 125,000 miles on the car since, and I still have the old engine which had some damaged rod bearings. I can ask my mechanic who still has the engine at his shop (we've picked parts like sensors etc. off of it over the years,) if the heads are still good and useable. And if they are, you can have them for the cost of shipping or if you want to pick them up in Los Angeles, you're welcome to take anything you need of the original engine.
It would be a shame for you to have to part out such a gorgeous example. PM me, and I will check with the mechanic on Monday as he is out of town until then. Undoubtedly, like me and others on this forum who have or had X100s prior to our X150, you have discovered in the 30,000 miles you've put on yours, just how much better the X150 platform is than its predecessor. I would hate for you to not enjoy many more years of your X150 as I have. Eight years later and nearly 190,000 miles on the odometer, and it's still my daily driver and the best car I have ever owned among at least 30.
Eight years ago when I was getting ready to purchase my 2010 XKR, when the seller brought the car to my mechanic, within 30 seconds, my mechanic said he could hear that the engine was "toast." This might have explained why when I test drove the car I was less than impressed with its performance. The seller after recovering from the shock, realized he had an aftermarket warranty, and he called them. They agreed to have my mechanic source a used engine and install it. We found a 5900 mile wrecked car with a good engine for $6000,00. I've put a 125,000 miles on the car since, and I still have the old engine which had some damaged rod bearings. I can ask my mechanic who still has the engine at his shop (we've picked parts like sensors etc. off of it over the years,) if the heads are still good and useable. And if they are, you can have them for the cost of shipping or if you want to pick them up in Los Angeles, you're welcome to take anything you need of the original engine.
It would be a shame for you to have to part out such a gorgeous example. PM me, and I will check with the mechanic on Monday as he is out of town until then. Undoubtedly, like me and others on this forum who have or had X100s prior to our X150, you have discovered in the 30,000 miles you've put on yours, just how much better the X150 platform is than its predecessor. I would hate for you to not enjoy many more years of your X150 as I have. Eight years later and nearly 190,000 miles on the odometer, and it's still my daily driver and the best car I have ever owned among at least 30.
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Yeah... I should have posted this BEFORE it was towed to the dealer. But it was 90 degrees and I was sitting in the sun. I was literally halfway between the dealership and my house. I thought about having it towed to my house so I could try to troubleshoot and repair it myself, but if I couldn't fix it then I'd have to pay for the tow to the dealer.
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The vacuum thing makes sense. I've had a whistle sound an low RPMs when it's hot out. It doesn't happen when the air is cold. I've tried to find it without any luck. Earlier today I remember thinking it sounded different. I bet some plastic piece finally broke.
The Jaguar dealer in Raleigh took good care of me last time, hopefully they will do the same this time.
The Jaguar dealer in Raleigh took good care of me last time, hopefully they will do the same this time.
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When my engine mount let go it also took out that elbow adapter piece. I got a Spectre rubber sleeve at Auto Zone and slapped it on there. No problems since. Course I had the engine mount repaired also...
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..... I went through a car wash .......
My first thought was water in the fuel. Maybe the gas cap wasn't on good? I checked it. It was maybe a little loose. Maybe. If a little water got in the fuel tank then it should cycle through right away. I tried starting again and it was the same; the engine ran rough.
I hooked up my OBDII scanner with the Jaguar-specific software. It showed misfires on all 8 cylinders. .....
My first thought was water in the fuel. Maybe the gas cap wasn't on good? I checked it. It was maybe a little loose. Maybe. If a little water got in the fuel tank then it should cycle through right away. I tried starting again and it was the same; the engine ran rough.
I hooked up my OBDII scanner with the Jaguar-specific software. It showed misfires on all 8 cylinders. .....
A car wash.
............ the Jaguar Gods are taking their revenge. 
I've had a blocked fuel bowl drain tube and rainwater filled the bowl but unless the fuel cap was completely loose, you wouldn't get an issue so I think the car wash was likely to be co-incidental rather than a cause of the RP.
Injectors are a regular issue but not in multiples. The concurrent misfires on all 8 cylinders with no other codes makes me think fuel starvation. Possibly a failing pump?
Graham
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A car wash. ............ the Jaguar Gods are taking their revenge.
I've had a blocked fuel bowl drain tube and rainwater filled the bowl but unless the fuel cap was completely loose, you wouldn't get an issue so I think the car wash was likely to be co-incidental rather than a cause of the RP.
Injectors are a regular issue but not in multiples. The concurrent misfires on all 8 cylinders with no other codes makes me think fuel starvation. Possibly a failing pump?
Graham
............ the Jaguar Gods are taking their revenge. I've had a blocked fuel bowl drain tube and rainwater filled the bowl but unless the fuel cap was completely loose, you wouldn't get an issue so I think the car wash was likely to be co-incidental rather than a cause of the RP.
Injectors are a regular issue but not in multiples. The concurrent misfires on all 8 cylinders with no other codes makes me think fuel starvation. Possibly a failing pump?
Graham
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Well, I just heard from the dealer. The valve seat on one of the valves separated from the head. The head needs to be replaced. The dealer wants $14,000 to do it.
So I guess I now own a project car.
So I guess I now own a project car.
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I can replace the head myself, I just need to find a head. I looked on eBay and didn't see anything. Someone was selling a 5.0 normally aspirated engine for $5000. It has 130,000 miles on it, and they want $5000 for it. And it's not even supercharged.
I still owe a little on my car. I wonder how much I could get if I parted it out. I'd rather fix it, but if I can't find a head then I can't fix it.
I still owe a little on my car. I wonder how much I could get if I parted it out. I'd rather fix it, but if I can't find a head then I can't fix it.
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Have you seen the head? Just because one part-swapping dealer says it needs to be replaced does NOT mean that someone else can't fix it. Give me a TIG, some rod and a milling machine and I can make some sick stuff well again.
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I haven't seen it yet. The mechanic said the valve seat was just hanging from the valve. Maybe I can super glue it back in place. (LOL! Just kidding!)
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I can replace the head myself, I just need to find a head. I looked on eBay and didn't see anything. Someone was selling a 5.0 normally aspirated engine for $5000. It has 130,000 miles on it, and they want $5000 for it. And it's not even supercharged.
I still owe a little on my car. I wonder how much I could get if I parted it out. I'd rather fix it, but if I can't find a head then I can't fix it.
I still owe a little on my car. I wonder how much I could get if I parted it out. I'd rather fix it, but if I can't find a head then I can't fix it.
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$14K Is an obscene amount of money for what is essentially a head refresh. I would look for an independent shop and tell them you need the head removed, sent to a shop for reworking and reinstalling. You will be getting a new head gasket and fluids in the process. Consider it a major service at that. I don't konw if our motors come with timing belts or chains, but either way, what a great time to replace them as well. You would have a nice tight motor and then Bob's Your Uncle!
As to the $14K bid, ask them which kid's college you were paying for with that number. Ridiculous.
As to the $14K bid, ask them which kid's college you were paying for with that number. Ridiculous.
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The SC engines do not have Variable Valve Timing while the non-huffer engines do have it.
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This was the first thing that crossed my mind when I (just) read your post about the diagnosis.
I've had valve seats drop on cast iron straight six Jaguars and it makes a terrifying noise. I fortunately haven't had the experience with an aluminium V8 but expect less noise and more damage. However, your original description of the issue suggests you didn't hear any unusual mechanical noises......?
If the vehicle is now in bits at the dealership, the problem of moving and repairing it elsewhere becomes greater. Regardless, I'd want to see the vehicle and see evidence of the diagnosed damage before doing anything.
I've rebuilt Jaguar engines in the past but the with the V8, the cost of parts alone pushes this towards 'non economic repair' territory and labour on top makes that an absolute. If it is definitely a wrecked head, the logical approach is to source a replacement used engine as this unit is now suspect and there's seven more opportunities for this to happen again.
Graham
I've had valve seats drop on cast iron straight six Jaguars and it makes a terrifying noise. I fortunately haven't had the experience with an aluminium V8 but expect less noise and more damage. However, your original description of the issue suggests you didn't hear any unusual mechanical noises......?
If the vehicle is now in bits at the dealership, the problem of moving and repairing it elsewhere becomes greater. Regardless, I'd want to see the vehicle and see evidence of the diagnosed damage before doing anything.
I've rebuilt Jaguar engines in the past but the with the V8, the cost of parts alone pushes this towards 'non economic repair' territory and labour on top makes that an absolute. If it is definitely a wrecked head, the logical approach is to source a replacement used engine as this unit is now suspect and there's seven more opportunities for this to happen again.
Graham
