Been discussed before but has anyone recently been able to find a source that sells just the cam cover bolt O-ring seals?
Would like to keep a spare set or two but problem is I can't find anyone selling just the genuine rubber 'Made in the USA' seals..
Jaguar mentions in the workshop manual under the cam cover gasket change procedure to 'discard and install new retaining bolt O-ring seals' but we're been conned into having to buy the complete bolt (which includes the seal)..
That means it's about 70 pounds plus postage having to buy one spare set of bolts just to source the O-rings. An expensive amount just to buy a bit of rubber.

Many would know that the 4.0 litre V8 had a different profile O-ring, meaning that aftermarket brands like Fel-pro or similar aftermarket offerings are unsuitable; many would also know that the 4.0 litre cam cover gasket is also different as well and not interchangeable.

Even though these seals look fine and reusable, the problem is they go soft over the years from the heat. A brand new seal is very hard compared an old one that looks okay. As they soften they loose the ability to keep the plastic cam cover down tight enough on the cam cover gasket and an oil leak may result.

Rubber O-ring seal on complete bolt assembly.

 

They are not really seals, just GROMMETS or as Jaguar used to refer to them in earlier parts listings as ISOLATORS.

Just used to provide 'clamping-force' on the gaskets/seals in the cam cover.

I don't know if they are different from the 4.0 but it looks like they are NSS from the bolt assy.

The 4.0 isolators can be purchased separately but the 4.2 comes as an assy only?

 

next time you do the valve cover gasket just buy the mahle it’s like 60 bucks for the whole set with the grommets

 

Yes, the Mahle set includes the o-rings with the gasket.

 

Thanks for the replies.
I had stockpiled a genuine pair of cam cover gaskets and spark plug seals for future use that I managed to obtain for a good price. I wanted to pair this with a genuine set of the O-rings; rather than an aftermarket O-ring set which may (or may not) present compatibility issues, leaks etc.

Doesn't look like anything's changed for the 4.2, you still can't buy the genuine O-rings separately.
Smartest way to obtain genuine O-rings therefore is to just buy part number AJ810631. Listed on 'Jaguar Land Rover Classic' as "Grommet". It's just the bolt shim with the O-ring attached selling for around a pound. One in each top corner of each bank. Fair enough price I suppose:

Shim with O-ring. No bolt or stud.


The 4.0 litre cam cover gaskets and O-rings are definitely a different profile. Don't waste money buying these. I think though the spark plug seals are the same in both cases,