Hello Everyone!

I have a 2000 XK8 w/106K miles. When cold, if I tap the gas just a little too much, the engine makes this whirring, rattling grinding sound off the line, which continues through the shifting until reaching speed. At speed it stops, and after getting completely heat soaked it stops during further shifting and sometimes off the line.

I had the belt replaced and tensioner adjusted a while back and that helped, but alas it has regressed. Had some pulleys replaced w/no effect.

I understand that the XK8 used to come with nylon pulleys, if so would it help to go back to those? If not, what could the problem and solution be?

Russ

 

Please try not to post in two forums at once, it is confusing and you will miss replies which might save your engine. Look on you other post for my reply

 

from the other thread

 

moved to correct forum also, was in the XJ8 area

 

Interesting sound !! First try this when the car is cold like after its been sitting overnight, open the hood/bonet and have some one start the engine. Stick you head under the hood towards the from of the engine.

Is the sound a rattle or squeal ?

1/ If its a rattle/grind and is coming from the front of the cam cover left or right its probably your secondary tensioners. Have you had those changed ? as your model has the 1st generation that will go around 100K. These can be changed parts $210 (eBay) and takes 3-4hrs for a DIYer. If noise is front of engine left/right and not at the top could be your primary tensioners in which case parts are $650 (primary/secondary chains tensioners, gaskets e.t.c) and 10-12 hrs labor

2/ If its a squeal and comes from the front of the engine and seems to happen every revolution of the main belt then it probably your belt. Note the belts are self adjusting. If belt change it to an OEM belt NOT jaguar brand as theirs do squeal.

 

Simon, isn't the OEM the same as a Jaguar part, are you sure you're saying this correctly?

to OP, if not your tensioners, could be your idler pulley, those bearings do go out. Also, check your power steering fluid, my system had a leak, and over time, my squeal at start got progressively worse (thought was the idler, then tensioner) eventually got so low, that the sound lasted almost the entire time while running, until my mechanic found the ruptured line over by the RF fender, saw the fluid all over my sway bar bushing.

+1 on getting your secondary tensioners checked, and if the old style, replace immediately. Have you seen images on this forum of the broken timing chains? There's stories of jumped timing wreaking havoc, tensioner pieces ending up in places where they shoudln't be, etc. It enough to scare you to death.

 

Thanks everyone. I went to the shop and they agree with Fraser that it's the valve tensioners and possibly a broken chain rail as well. Will probably open it up next week and after evaluation, replace everything except the coils as they seem fine right now.

Sorry about the multiple posts!

 

Let us know how much they charge to change primary and secondary tensioners and chains. Should be interesting I know the parts on eBay (there's a kit for this ) is around $650.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/JAGUA...Q5fAccessories

As for belts I got mine from Kragen $130 for main and supercharger belts. On XKR there is a TSB and kit for the supercharger belt squeal. Mine has squealed when cold from the day I bought it in 2004. Jag replaced the belt but still squealed. When I changed the belt to a non Jaguar belt (goodyear gatorback I think) squeal has gone.

 

Thanks Simon! I'll see what the shop says. The upper tensioners are the ones in question, but I'll show the ebay listing to them.

 

To do the full compliment of belts, primary and secondary, generally falls between $2000 and $2500. It's a 12 hour job I believe. We have the kit for $725 and buy the tools for $285 or rent them for $125. You will also need valve cover gaskets. (Not included in the kit.)

 

If you are just doing the upper ones (2nd tensioners) they are $210 including gaskets. you can do this job yourself no special tools needed and takes about 4 hours for a novice. Note I've done this myself on my XKR.