Hi. Just had the awful news that the timing belt went in my 2001 xj lwb. Is there any appetite out there for repairing these or will it be straight to the scrappy? Bodywork is in good condition as well. Seems a shame to scrap it.

 

I take it you mean the timing chain? - a 2001 XJ should be the V8 engine which has a chain rather than a belt.

Generally most garages will tell you the engine is now no good. But there are some companies out there that repair this sort of damage - I am not sure you will be happy with the car afterwards though. Perhaps google some garages and chat with them.

You could also replace the engine, but I can imagine that will be more trouble that it is worth.

Most likely you could break it up and make a fair amount of money from the parts. That might buy you a new one!

 

Welcome to the forums Nellie333,

If the chain has only jumped a link it's usually fixable at reasonable cost. If the tensioners have gone and the valves collided with the pistons, it's still recoverable but the parts bill will be eye watering.

As a serial destroyer of Jaguar engines in my youth I soon learned that a rebuild, although technically satisfying, was always the expensive solution. If you cannot DiY a rebuild then it makes absolutely no sense because the labour alone is likely to exceed the value of the vehicle.

Whenever possible I would source a good used replacement engine as the preferred option. I see you are in Scotland - the nearest specialist Jaguar breaker is Eurojag at Darlington and they usually have a rack full of engines and transmissions.

As you say, a shame to scrap it but check the estimates carefully before starting out on a repair. Practicality may need to outweigh sentiment.

Graham