When you click on links to various merchants on this site and make a purchase, this can result in this site earning a commission. Affiliate programs and affiliations include, but are not limited to, the eBay Partner Network.
Last week when I did my valve cover gaskets, I took a picture of my cams and valvetrain. Just by looking at these pictures, what do you guess the mileage is on this engine? Does it look to have been well maintained or does it look worn? The attached pictures are of both banks.
I am not sure that anyone could really guess mileage based on visible inspection like that.
Can’t say anything about the cam bearings with the caps in but there appears to be no significant wear on the cam lobes so your valve train is heathy. There is appears to be no build up of oil sludge anywhere in there so the oil has likely been changed regularly and with decent quality. Chains look fine, with no obvious wear and the slipper that is visible is not missing any pieces.
It does appear there is a cat hair on the right side intake cam, which might be a problem. Strongly suggest you remove all felines from the oiling system before restarting the car, they are known to make noise for the first few minutes of running until they cook off.
I am not sure that anyone could really guess mileage based on visible inspection like that.
You're right, probably not a precise guess.
Originally Posted by ccfulton
Can’t say anything about the cam bearings with the caps in but there appears to be no significant wear on the cam lobes so your valve train is healthy. There is appears to be no buildup of oil sludge anywhere in there so the oil has likely been changed regularly and with decent quality. Chains look fine, with no obvious wear and the slipper that is visible is not missing any pieces.
Yeah, I was so happy when I saw that the valve train looked so clean. At 79k miles, without records of maintenance history from the first 59k miles from the two previous owners, I was expecting the worst. I have put about 17k miles on it in three years, and before that my dad put about 3k miles on it before passing away. As far as I know, he did not get to do any maintenance on it during his tenure with this XKR.
Originally Posted by ccfulton
It does appear there is a cat hair on the right side intake cam, which might be a problem. Strongly suggest you remove all felines from the oiling system before restarting the car, they are known to make noise for the first few minutes of running until they cook off.
My cat did jump on the car while I was removing the valve cover. I did not notice her hair until after I had taken the pictures.
Rev Sam! You're back! Have you returned to Jaguar ownership?
Originally Posted by Markel
l would be happy with that.
It's nice knowing that, despite the lack of maintenance records of my car before my tenure, it was well taken care of. I have found other instances where I am doing a job and can clearly see that someone has been there before. In fact, there are things that I have done preventatively only to find out midway through that it has already been taken care of. However, might as well redo since I'm already there.
Does this engine look healthy?
My cat did jump on the car while I was removing the valve cover. I did not notice her hair until after I had taken the pictures. 
It's nice knowing that, despite the lack of maintenance records of my car before my tenure, it was well taken care of. I have found other instances where I am doing a job and can clearly see that someone has been there before. In fact, there are things that I have done preventatively only to find out midway through that it has already been taken care of. However, might as well redo since I'm already there.
