Astromorg,
I'm tending to agree..... My engine bay (no cover) is clean and I want it to be see it that way.

Gragner66's pic shows quite a few non-OEM additions.... which to me, distracts from the original.

 

For everyone confused on the cover, they were actually only in the older model xtypes and then the cover got dropped sometime around 04 with the introduction of the new transfer case and steering wheel. My 02 came with it and all xtypes before 04 should have it as a stock part

 

Wow.... thats two more parameters that need qualification.
To recap,
1. Engine Cover - discontinued.
2. Steering Wheel changed (need Pics Old and New)
3. Transfer Case changed to new unit (what does that mean?)

 

Here's an example of the new one:


I had consider a swap until I found out that in the update they dropped off both granite leather (my dash and steering wheel) and bird's eye maple. Ah well.

Transfer case in short from what I've understood; old transfer case provides way superior 4WD but flexes under stress and this can lead to failures. The new one should flex less and thus be more durable, but is by no means indestructible.

 

Yes, I too have heard many things.... but, although interesting to read, yet rarely is anything concrete or validatable (from Jaguar) is produced to corroborate the news or details.
It is surprising just how much stuff is presented on forums, that in the end - is nothing more than rumour or fanciful thinking.

Its equally surprising to see how some folk treat their cars just like their lawn mowers, in that they use it (rarely serviced, cleaned or inspected) only become motivated when something goes wrong or stops working - do they seek help or advice on how to fix it.

Such is life.....

 

No cover on my Wife's X-Type, I like it that way. I have toyed with the notion of moving the battery to the trunk(Boot) and routing a cold air filter to the x-battery location. I have not come up with a solution on routing cold air to the filter, sooooo- that mod will have to wait.

 

my 2004 came without the cover....i prefer it that way...looks better and easier to visually check for leaks etc

 

2002 and 2003 were the only years with covers.

 

lcgi, the transfer case actually changed and isn't a myth. The 02-03 cases use a viscous coupling to put the torque to all four wheels, however, this caused flexing in the case that would make the gears and bearings eat each other because they would go in and out of their factory tolerances which causes excessive wear on the case. The 04 cases use electronic means to put power down to all four wheels, however this new case doesn't have as good of awd characteristics as the old case with the viscous coupling.

 

And adding to disguay's clarification, the flexing causes the transfer case to develop cracks, through which the lubricant will leak out. A dry transfer case that flexes so the positions of the gears and bearings move in relation to each other has a fairly short life expectancy.

There is unofficial information available on the characteristics of the new transfer case on this forum. Jaguar themselves would probably say there is no practical difference , because saying otherwise could have hurt sales...

 

At what point does it make sense to seek help to fix something that isn't broken? Am I to believe you just randomly change out parts because you have nothing else to do on the weekends?

 

Prevention..... is often better than the Cure

I find a regular Clean & Inspect often waylays - the more serious problems.

 

Howdy disguay,
And..... your source for this most interesting discourse is ?