Smoke coming from my XJ
#1
#2
White smoke usually means coolant has entered the combustion chambers. A common cause is a break somewhere in the cylinder head gasket(s). Any competent garage can definitively pinpoint the problem. Steps include spark plug removal to see if any have been "steam cleaned", as well as a chemical test that detects exhaust gas in the coolant. The diagnosis is not expensive, but the repair is.
#4
JLR dealers don't do engine repair, they won't open it up, rather they just do major component replacement. You'll need to take it to an indy (independent Jaguar specialist). But yeah, if its a head gasket, you're looking at probably close to a year's in-state tuition. Install a replacement engine from a salvage yard (if you can find one) = two years.
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Xjkenny (06-25-2023)
#5
JLR dealers don't do engine repair, they won't open it up, rather they just do major component replacement. You'll need to take it to an indy (independent Jaguar specialist). But yeah, if its a head gasket, you're looking at probably close to a year's in-state tuition. Install a replacement engine from a salvage yard (if you can find one) = two years.
#6
#7
Xj
The engine is 3.0 supercharged about 75,000 miles and I just bought the car so I’m not aware of any previous problems that’s about it
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#8
However, if the white smoke was coming from under the hood and not from the tailpipes, then that means that the coolant simply escaped from somewhere. An external leak is generally far less expensive, maybe just a loose connection, fitting or cap. Heck, there's enough hoses and tubing to reach to the moon and halfway back. These engines are notorious for water pump failure and something we call the crossover pipes. You can search for and read about those issues.
Even if its something simple, a Jaguar dealership tho will not just fix an engine if they suspect its been overheated because they have to warranty their work. If they patched it back up, but you'd scored a cylinder wall, warped the head or something and it blew up three months from now, then they'd be afraid you'd come back and claim they did something wrong. They don't want to see you again for the same problem, so the surest thing for a dealership to do in your case is replace the whole engine. Even an indy may think the same way so you may need to shop around to find a mechanic who will work with you.
If you can fill it with distilled water, start it up cold and it idles smoothly without smoke then there is still hope. Just don't let it run long enough to overheat again.
Education is expensive. I'm sorry you had to learn the hard way, but next time you buy a used car, particularly something like a Jaguar which is typically very expensive to repair, make sure to ask to see the full maintenance history documentation and arrange to have a pre-purchase inspection done by a qualified mechanic. If the seller can't produce the documentation or won't cooperate with an inspection, then walk away. There's always another one like it for sale somewhere or if not immediately, there will be before you know it.
Last edited by pdupler; 06-26-2023 at 07:55 PM.
#9
You mentioned in your first post about white smoke from the engine. I just assumed that the white smoke was coming from the exhaust at the back of the car. Coolant reservoir empty and white smoke from the tailpipes = blown headgasket (90% chance) or a cracked block (1% chance) or a cracked or warped cylinder head (4% chance). Regardless which, these symptoms mean a very expensive repair ahead.
However, if the white smoke was coming from under the hood and not from the tailpipes, then that means that the coolant simply escaped from somewhere. An external leak is generally far less expensive, maybe just a loose connection, fitting or cap. Heck, there's enough hoses and tubing to reach to the moon and halfway back. These engines are notorious for water pump failure and something we call the crossover pipes. You can search for and read about those issues.
Even if its something simple, a Jaguar dealership tho will not just fix an engine if they suspect its been overheated because they have to warranty their work. If they patched it back up, but you'd scored a cylinder wall, warped the head or something and it blew up three months from now, then they'd be afraid you'd come back and claim they did something wrong. They don't want to see you again for the same problem, so the surest thing for a dealership to do in your case is replace the whole engine. Even an indy may think the same way so you may need to shop around to find a mechanic who will work with you.
If you can fill it with distilled water, start it up cold and it idles smoothly without smoke then there is still hope. Just don't let it run long enough to overheat again.
Education is expensive. I'm sorry you had to learn the hard way, but next time you buy a used car, particularly something like a Jaguar which is typically very expensive to repair, make sure to ask to see the full maintenance history documentation and arrange to have a pre-purchase inspection done by a qualified mechanic. If the seller can't produce the documentation or won't cooperate with an inspection, then walk away. There's always another one like it for sale somewhere or if not immediately, there will be before you know it.
However, if the white smoke was coming from under the hood and not from the tailpipes, then that means that the coolant simply escaped from somewhere. An external leak is generally far less expensive, maybe just a loose connection, fitting or cap. Heck, there's enough hoses and tubing to reach to the moon and halfway back. These engines are notorious for water pump failure and something we call the crossover pipes. You can search for and read about those issues.
Even if its something simple, a Jaguar dealership tho will not just fix an engine if they suspect its been overheated because they have to warranty their work. If they patched it back up, but you'd scored a cylinder wall, warped the head or something and it blew up three months from now, then they'd be afraid you'd come back and claim they did something wrong. They don't want to see you again for the same problem, so the surest thing for a dealership to do in your case is replace the whole engine. Even an indy may think the same way so you may need to shop around to find a mechanic who will work with you.
If you can fill it with distilled water, start it up cold and it idles smoothly without smoke then there is still hope. Just don't let it run long enough to overheat again.
Education is expensive. I'm sorry you had to learn the hard way, but next time you buy a used car, particularly something like a Jaguar which is typically very expensive to repair, make sure to ask to see the full maintenance history documentation and arrange to have a pre-purchase inspection done by a qualified mechanic. If the seller can't produce the documentation or won't cooperate with an inspection, then walk away. There's always another one like it for sale somewhere or if not immediately, there will be before you know it.
#10
I'm guessing some components are warped. If it's free spinning without tension/compression? Yeah, something broke inside.
Sorry to hear that this happened to you. You probably need a new engine (based on what you have stated). Good thing you have a second opinion coming, but a used engine will be the most economical way to go. Any competent shop who will quote the engine replacement should also be able to source one for you. You can gauge prices by looking at listed price on a website like car-part.com
Sorry to hear that this happened to you. You probably need a new engine (based on what you have stated). Good thing you have a second opinion coming, but a used engine will be the most economical way to go. Any competent shop who will quote the engine replacement should also be able to source one for you. You can gauge prices by looking at listed price on a website like car-part.com
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