i know the XFR V8's come standard with the "timing chain issue" option. I've been wanting to jump into a (V8) XJ or XJR, and I'm wondering if im going to have that same timing chain fear

im going to assume the answer is yes.....but im also hoping someone chimes in and says "after 201X, Jaguar changed the tensioner design and its not longer an issue"

 

I believe the chains were updated around 2013-2014.

 

All the JLR 5l cars share the same engine . and can be problematic

 

That's funny because people talk about that. We work on 1000s of them a year and maybe had a couple issues. I have never done any on the 5.0. But remember, you come on here and there are 20 that have on here. Many come here to complain and or with issues. A handfull out of the many produced and on the roads is not a issue. Now the 4.0 older v8's, yeah they had a issue, bad.

 

Well, they CAN be problematic... and the odds are probably just a little better than you CAN win the Powerball lottery. ;u]

 

There have been changes through the model years to things like timing chain tensioners and width of timing chain so that statement is incorrect.

 

Can someone explane all the 305 - 308 and other terms for a XJ8? I have a 2004 and have had 4 other XJ8's but never saw any term except XJ8. Thanks.

 

The Wikipedia page on the XJ lists the most common ones. It is the factory designation for the model and isn't limit to just the XJ's.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jaguar_XJ

 

to get back on track, sounds like 2014 and later model engines are safer from the risks

 

Yes, you are correct, 2014+ should be updated. It’s worth the piece of mind getting a car with the updated parts even if jumping a tooth in timing is rare. I could hear the loose tensioner on my 2010 and updated the parts; didn’t want to risk it.

 

Listen to Brutal!
He is an actual Jaguar Factory mechanic. Not some yutz on the internet who proclaims all 5.0L engines will destroy themselves because of timing issues.
There are a very minor number of cars with this problem. You will see them all on this forum. That's the point of forums! To document any/all problems.
Please again listen to Brutal he has seen hundreds to thousands of these cars and he has never seen a 5.0L timing problem.

So it's very minor and completely over blown.
If your looking at the XJ what we have found is Jaguar updated the timing tensioners starting with VIN-58603.
My 2014 XJR is under this VIN so sometime in 2014 but not exactly sure time wise.
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In case you are one of the unfortunate few, you can hear the slapping of the timing chain before anything bad happens.

Also IIRC they changed the guide design twice (I think something about the angle of the strike plate was in the second update). Perhaps this is why the original TSB covering these engines was for 2010-2012, but the final part update didn’t occur till sometime in 2014. So there may be a different failure rate for very early years and subsequent years. Please correct me if my memory is in error.

Clubairth I’m not sure I understand, does your car have the updated guides/ tensioners? BTW, thanks for posting the VIN coverage.

 

No I searched long and hard for that number. Prior to getting my 2014 XJR I had a 2005 S Type R. On the S Type the early 4.0L V-8 had massive timing chain tensioner problems with hundreds of blown up and destroyed engines. That engine was a ticking time bomb. But I waited and read the forums until the 4.2L had some years of use so the problems would be known. Not many problems surfaced. The big one is the $20 rubber hose under the SC. That will cost you a bunch in parts and labor getting to it. I did that repair twice and it was the most difficult thing I ever did on the S Type. The 4.2L SC engine is pretty bullet proof but even then there were a few tensioner problems too.

Unfortunately when I went to upgrade I really wanted the DI 5.0L engine. I read that in 2013 they updated the timing gear for some problems that started to show up. Along with the oil change from 5W-20 to 0W-20. So I went shopping and made my deal on a 2014 XJR with the thought I had the latest/greatest parts. That was not strictly true as a poster on this forum (Well the XF forum) clued me in on. So if you start looking at the JEPC you can see at what VIN Jaguar actually changed the parts. Looking at the XJ I found the last part change occurred at that VIN. Nothing has been updated or changed since that time. But my car missed it by about 4000 cars. My car is in the 54000 range and the change was done in the 58000 range as I posted above.

Look up XJss he has posted a very good analysis of the problem with pictures. The problem is a spring loaded steel pin that eats into the Aluminum. This pin provides the tension on the timing chain rail to keep the chain tight. As the pin wears the AL eventually there is too much slop and you run out of adjustment range, once any slack is in the system you are headed for failure! The upgrade is to put a steel wear button in front of the steel pin. But also look up Bigg Will. He has over 100K on his XFR with zero problems. He does change oil very frequently like 4K miles. I am convinced as a Engineer and long time car guy that the extended oil drain intervals are 100% the reason for these failures and I have gone to a maximum of 7500 miles on my oil changes. I also only drain the oil from the bottom drain plug.
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It's a sad fact that forums attract more owners with problems and prophets of doom than happy owners with no troubles. I'm amazed anyone following these forums would risk buying a Jaguar.

Graham

 

Clubairth1 I have always had my oil service interval @ 7500 miles or 6 months which ever come first since day 1. In fact I had my first oil changed at 3k. So the idea that the guide tensioner wear is a result of lackadaisical service is not necessarily true, but probably accelerates the issue. The issue is a bad design that needed to be redesigned.

 

In terms of slack in the timing chain, is there a suitable test for looking without tearing the cam covers off?
We can see one chain through the oil fill cap. How much "play" is acceptable, and is it directional (no play when pushing, a little chain movement when pulling, etc)? I have never seen one of these engine diagrams or them torn apart.

 

No, there's not. Other than severe issues and the noise they create. At least the 4.0 you could pull the covers easily and inspect. you're not gonna do that easily or cheaply on the 5.0.
Again it's NOT a big issue on these engines like some try to make it out. Cooling systems, yeah

 

Hearing that from you makes me feel a lot better, lol. I hear what I think sounds just like DI noise. I am a car hypochondriac. It sounds like my F-type did, but I was second guessing my memory.

 

yes when the di engines came out damn did we get a lot of concerns. Yes the injectors are loud clicking at idle, they have to close against 100's of psi of fuel pressure at idle vs older injectors that operate under 48psi or so at idle.
Why jagar added sound deadner to the bottom of the engine covers. Normal operation. Open the hood and pull the cover off and listen to how loud they are.