The VVT for XK8 '99 model year & higher calls for the "gold screws" in the valve covers that are shorter and a different steel alloy. Error 1396 has plagued this Jag long before I got it; previous owner gave about a grand to a shop to resolve it, but of course, they didn't. What's worse, there are no gold screws on either of the valve covers. The chain guides have been replaced and I have little doubt that mechanic was responsible for the "screw up!" I shorten a couple of screws but that didn't help, other than they don't crunch the cam position sensors (CPS).

Of course, right after I listed it on Craigslist, it has plagued me with convertible top & quarter window problems, ABS light, Reduced Power/Limp Modes, Traction Control message, a tiny but smelly oil drip from a rocker cover onto exhaust and a coolant leak. Since I've just resolved the orange juice problem, I figured I'd give one last attempt at eliminating the only problems left, oil seepage from rocker cover and the dreaded 1396 code.

I suspect the CPS is a Hall Effect device and magnetic iron can destroy the signal. Has anyone tried a magnet on those screws to see if they are a nonmagnetic austenitic steel? Since I'm pulling the cover off, I'm planning to just eliminate the screw altogether for a couple of reasons-
if the error disappears, I'll silicone the hole with a very short screw in for appearances;
since the gold screws didn't have a retainer, they can be installed later if I can locate them;
If the screws are nonmagnetic, then I'll know to search for a suitable stainless substitute.

 

Just glanced at electrics and the CPS is a 2 wire inductive pickup, still distracted by foreign ferritic screw like Hall probe.

 

I am a little confused! :-) This has nothing to do with VVT has it?
My 2000 XKR without VVT has the "special" screws also, but I do not know why you call them "gold screws" ?
It is the upper rear screw on each valve cover isnt it?
They are still magnetic on mine, I just went out and checked :-)

 

Thanks for checking that. It answer a long standing question I've had. The Cam Position Sensor is directly behind those shorter screws with supposedly different alloying. The other bolts are said to throw off the cam signal and screw into the sensors.. I removed the screw from the B bank which throws the Code but the Pedal Position Sensor plug that plugs into the back of the throttle body crumbled so I have another roadblock. Don't know if the vacant hole will help. Probably not.

I have an 06 XKR and the supercharged engines do not have VVT, fortunately.

 

P1396 is the ECM flagging that the 'B' bank inlet cam rotational position isn't within the range that it expects.


Other than the possible causes listed, some have reported this (and/or the equivalent 'A' bank error P1384) after doing a secondary tensioner replacement. Something to check when you have the cam cover off: - cam flats not exactly in line?

The 'gold' bolts are a slightly different colour to the others, and are the only ones not captive in the spacer.
BobRoy kindly posted a picture showing the difference.
https://www.jaguarforums.com/forum/x...3/#post1658791

I also found that they were magnetic to some extent, but assume Jaguar specified them for a reason.

 

cam is supposed to be somewhere but but it’s not there. that simple

 

Coincidentally I responded to another post on those bolts a few days ago: https://www.jaguarforums.com/forum/x...number-262306/

Those 2 rear inner bolts are noseless and cadmium plated, not alloy. All the other cam cover bolt holes are through holes, while the rear inners are blind. Fitting a standard nosed bolt in the rear inner positions may break through the hole blind or the bolt could snap - not sure which of those options I'd prefer.