I have a 97 XK8 which needs new Valve cover gaskets. So I heard that there is a different Valve cover available, one that reduces Oil blow by with Baffle plates or similar. I'm currently using 1Qt every 1500 Miles. Is that a 4.2 L Cover or some other Manufacture aftermarket part? Cheers!

 

1QT in 1500 miles is very high consumption. Is your XK8 leaking oil or burning it?

Valve cover gaskets and 'O' rings are a common failure. Oil can pool in the spark plug holes and/or leak from the sides of the covers. There's an aftermarket kit available at much lower cost than OE Jaguar.

My understanding of 'blow by' is oil being burned due to worn bores / piston rings.

I'm not aware of an alternative valve cover but wouldn't expect one to eradicate either of these issues.

Graham

 

Some people have removed their valve covers to discover that the steel mesh which is meant to keep oil from migrating through the part and full load breathers is missing.

This is likely to have happened because some previous person decided that it would be a good idea to remove the mesh.

 

As the guys say below, you need to make sure that your oil separator is in place in your right hand valve cover.

Go to THIS THREAD to see the procedure for the check.

If your oil separator is NOT in place, simply order a new OEM valve cover, and the oil separator will be there.

If your oil separator IS in place, then you need to check for oil leaks, new gaskets, a possible blocked Part-Load Breather orifice (on the LEFT hand valve cover), or other engine problems.

Good luck.

 

Thank you guys for the info so far. Oil is pooling in my Spark Plug Holes and the Oil separator seems to be intact. Coventry West has Valve Cover Seal kit.Is this a good place to buy and what other Parts should I replace while the covers are off i.e. Breather Hoses etc? This looks like a straight forward job is there anything to watch out for?

 

Have the secondary chain tensioners been replaced with the metal body 3rd gen?
RJ_________________
97 XK8 Conv. 85K mi

 

I have a receipt for a Timing Chain Tensioners replacement job in Oct.2011 from the previous Owner. There are part numbers on the Receipt but i don't know what Tensioners they are. We have 2x AJ8 2325; 1x C2A 1511; 1x C2A 1512. There are two sets of Chains EAZ 1269 and 1286 and two sets of Timing Guide Rails and Tensioners NCA 1998AB and2025AB. I see Valve Cover Gaskets on there but no Spark Plug Seals. There is oil in the Spark Plug holes, looks like they skipped that one. Can anyone enlighten me on what Tensioners they are and what should be done. I'm planing to keep the Car in great shape for at least another 15 years.

 

It looks like the last owner replaced both primary and secondary tensioners and chains.
So you should be in good shape there.

 

AJ8 2325 is the part number for the latest generation tensioner. These are fitted as standard on the 4.2 litre and are the ones to use for upgrading the 4.0 litre.

It's strange that the O rings are leaking after a recent timing chain overhaul. Perhaps the camshaft cover gaskets looked OK and they didn't bother to replace them or the seals.

With the big worry of timing chains and tensioners out of the way, it's a low cost and easy job to replace camshaft cover seals and O rings.

Graham