I had determined to get my 2001 XKR to the repair shop to have the cam chain tensioners and guides upgraded to avoid problems and had set up an appointment for Tuesday. I had to cancel due to work taking a priority. So today I was running an errand and noticed a lot of noise coming from the passenger side cam cover. It was a clattering valves kind of noise so I immediately switched off the engine and called for a tow. I have taken the car to an independent repair shop because the local Jag dealer wouldn't work with my extended warranty company and I wasn't going to pay for a new engine out of pocket. The mechanic thought the problem wouldn't be impossible to fix since the engine at the time it started to make noise wasn't running rough or losing power. When I discussed it with the Jag Dealer he jumped straight to replace the whole engine (14k) instead of even suggesting that it could be salvageable. Does anybody know if I have left it way too late and have munched the engine or is there hope? The local Jag dealer really left me feeling like I was up the creek since Jag doesn't support engine rebuilding and that my 4k that I had spent for an extended warranty was a waste of money. Reassurance needed or at least straight talk.

 

Well, you seem to have got to "Death Rattle" stage, but fear not, by stopping car and engine straightaway, you have probably saved the day. Only by taking off the cam covers will you know how close you got to disaster, (however, you may be beyond it). Anyways, even if you have bent a valve or two, it doesn't mean the whole engine is wrecked. Funny how people seem to say "New engine, Sir" so quickly. Must be a lot of profit in them !!

 

........

 

Maybe it wasn't entirely too late, I have my fingers crossed for you.
Let us know how it goes.
The mind boggles at someone suggestiing a new engine without even doing an investigation.

 

Hard to believe the engine is dead if it was still running okay when you shut it down. Good luck.

 

Good luck, fingers crossed for your engine being OK.

 

Take it to somebody that wants to fix it, not get in your pocket!

Most likely the tensioners are worn and the chains stretched as well and you have slipped a tooth on the timing chain - not a major problem. I drove mine for 25+ miles that way. Good for you for shutting it down right away.

If you are planning to keep the thing change the chains out - both primary and secondary - and replace the upper and lower tensioners. It's not partucularly cheap but you'll have a pretty solid engine after that. I just read on the forum that you can order up Ford/Lincoln chains for the sister engine and save some money.

 

I got my XKR back today from the independent mechanic who agreed to repair it and bill my extended warranty insurance. The total bill was $2200.00 of which my portion was $770.00. He replaced the cam chain tensioners (primary and secondary), the water pump, the chain, and the spark plugs. I also had him replace the transmission fluid since I don't believe in lifetime transmissions. Both secondary tensioners were cracked and the waterpump was weeping. However the valves weren't damaged in any way. I think turning it off as soon as it started to sound bad saved it. Except for the hit to my wallet it is a great ending to what I thought was a doomed engine.

 

I'm happy for you amigo! A lot of money, but you also have alot of car...

 

Excellent news . Could have been so...so much worse.

 

Great result, and you got all the trouble spots taken care of, as Stumpy say's it could have been much worse.