But you have to take off the primary cam chains to get the heads off. So it is a substantial do over. Hope you still have the cam alignment tools.

 

Oh yes, yes I do...

 

Well look at the bright side of things: First you are becoming VERY familar with the 4.0 liter Jag engine; and second; you probably have the longest first post by a newbie on this forum.

Dont feel too bad, I pulled the chains off twice myself. First for the Secondaries, and then again for the Primaries. The second time was unnecessary as the clicking noise I heard turned out to be the VVT units filling with oil on startup.

 

I was wondering what that clicking was. Tanks for indirectly clearing that up!

 

The oil drains out of the VVT overnight. When the engine is started in the morning, the oil pressure builds up and at around 1,000 rpm, the spiral gears inside the VVT unit twist the drum to advance the timing. The click you hear is the metal to metal contact as the drum turns and hits the stops.

I have a pretty loud click, loud enough that I thought it was primary 'chain slap' on startup. I did not know what that sounded like and assumed this VVT noise was the primaries. Consequently, immediately after doing the secondaries, I pulled the engine apart again for the primaries; which were not worn like the secondaries. I replaced them anyhow. As to the VVT, other than the noise, I do not think performance has suffered.

 

Update: Took the jag for a drive tonight, made it about 100ft before restricted performance started flashing across the gauges. Then the check engine light came on. Then i had to rev it up to 3k to get it moving the 100ft back to the stall it was parked in. I promptly hooked up the OBD2 reader and of course, P1722 The transmission death code. Turns out I forgot to fill it back up with fluid so I'm sure it's now toast.

 

This is really turning ugly, so sorry................
Brian

 

remember to breathe, and don't be too hard on yourself. Post it notes and checklists. we're pulling for you.

 

I say cut your losses. This is turning to be a major debacle to even get it on the road. Either way best of luck.

 

And for the conclusion of this thread!!!

The knocking sound from the motor was a loose harmonic balancer! The trans took 4 quarts of fluid and shifts like butter now. The car is immaculate, and drives wonderfully. I love this car. I parked it in my stall today for the first time and a passerby had to pick up his jaw off the floor, while complimenting the beautiful black xk8 i was stepping out of. She is beautiful, she runs like a top. Thank you all so very much for your support and help!!

I gave it to my wife today as a valentines gift and she loves it!


Thank you, thank you, thank you all!

 

YEAH!!! good news, and thank God.

 

Congratulations!

That gift contained about as much love and effort as any ever bestowed.

Be sure to entertain us with your next project.

 

Jaguars are the Gift that Keeps on Giving... Yeah things like fault codes and oil drops.

 

Jaguar, turning everyday people into everyday mechanics.

 

Whow, what a long thread !!

The downside of Jaguar ownership is the V8 engine from 1997 to around 2003. This was a seriously flawed engine from the start, but now is OK. Jaguar must have spent a fortune on warranty claims all because the bean counters limited the parts spend. How any engineer could have been happy with a plastic-bodied chain tensioner continually bathed in very hot engine oil, I will never know. And then there was the Nikasil disaster too.