Hello- New to the forum but have researched here for quite a while. Hopefully someone can provide some insight to my problem. I have a 2004 XJR with 45000 miles. Everything has been working wonderfully until my latest oil change completed this past weekend. This was the 3rd time I've changed the oil in this car and have used a Bosch filter each time (with Royal Purple 5w30). Everything went as expected and I drove the car to work the following day (no issues). When I pulled up to the grocery, I put it in park and blipped the throttle just slightly- when I did, I heard a horrible clanking noise- I mean "hammer on the manifold" horrible. I immediately shut it down and started looking for leaks. Nothing; checked oil level- looked fine. Started it back up and at idle, it's fine. When I bring it up to 1600rpm, the clatter starts. Good decision or bad, I drove it the 3 miles back home. Funny thing is while under load, it's perfect. I mean NOTHING- runs and pulls like it should. Pulled into the garage, put it in park and listened closely with the engine revving to 2500. Noise is DEFINATELY coming from the top of the motor. It's not the supercharger (I've heard one that was bad- the sound is much faster and much different).
Once again (good or bad), I took it back on the highway and slowly took it up to 85ish MPH while listening intently; NO sound, NO issues.
Ok- didn't make the sound before the oil change and now it does. Could this be the result of a faulty filter?!? It's definately making the cold start tick that you would hear from a bad check valve (again, a first). I just picked up a NAPA Gold filter, will install tonight and will post the result. So- any ideas in the meantime?

 

Swapped the filter; no luck. Optomisim makes the world go round- it doesn't however, repair Jaguar motors. Will take it to shop by weeks end if no one has any ideas.

 

No one wants to take a shot at this one?

 

This doesn't sound like it's related to the oil change unless you put the lower valence back on wrong, although this would not sound like it's at the top of the motor. Try getting a mechanics stethoscope and poke around. This symptom is difficult, a top engine rattle that happens at idle but not under load. It may be the drive link in the supercharger snout, listen there first. Check the supercharger oil as well, at the plug on the front. Fianlly, it might be the secondary cam chain tensioner which would mean looking under the cam cover. The 04's rarely have this problem but it could happen.

 

Thanks for the reply. I actually dropped the car off at the mech last night and we spoke just now. He believes it's an internal engine failure- possibly a bearing. I am not familar with this being a problem on these motors- does anyone have any experience with this issue? The car only has 45000 miles on it and has been well maintained. Care to play the how much to fix it guessing game?

 

Thats VERY surprising! 2nd opinion needed for sure.

 

I have only heard of one 04 or newer engine having a major issue. It was a XJR that I believed the owner drove hard and could not pay for the lease. The last oil change sticker in the window was at I think 80K and the enginre went at around 109K. She threw a rod. The fact that your car still drives makes me feel you might be able to save her....if there isn't any metal in the oil. For the few bucks change the oil or check the filter and looks for metal or just tow the vehicle.

 

It would be easy to detect from where the sounds comes from with a stethoscope, don't rule out the supercharger just yet, that could make similar clacking noises (easiest to check with the supercharger belt of, if in doubt after a stethoscope check).

 

So...spoke to the tech. He has two friends who work at the local Jag dealer so he drove it over for a 2nd opinion. He did confirm it didn't make a single sound of the norm on the drive. Unfortunately, both Jag techs agreed with him is was a bearing. I asked if it was at ALL possible to access the crank via the oil pan to swap the bearing (I've done it in my 304 V8 Jeep) but he said no. Very nice guy- charge me one hour of labor though it sounds like he most of the morning in it.

As an aside, I do have a Euro Toys upper supercharger pulley (the small one that doesn't need mods to install) for sale. It's never been installed- $100 obo if anyone wants it (I don't have the packaging anymore).

Ok...I'm going to lie down and cry for a bit.

 

Go with the supercharger belt removal and listen again the most comon is the right upper chain tensioner hoiwever the drive dog inside the front of the supercharger makes a similar noise i have just finished chains ,tensioners, and guides an 04 that was misdiagnosed elseware

 

Does the car rattle when you first start up the car from a cold start? This noise could be coming from the VVT's. One of the VVT's either Bank 1 or 2 could be where the noise is coming from.

 

It's my understanding that the R's do not have VVT, at least the XKR 4.2's don't. I still think it's in the supercharger or cam tensioners.

 

I appreciate all the insight and comments. I drained all the 5w30 and put in 20/50 with a can of miracle something or another. The sound is MUCH less apparent. Revving at idle, you'd miss it if you didn't know what you were listening for. Drop it in 2nd/3rd at 40 and it sounds like popcorn popping until it shifts to 4th. It does make a little rattle from start up for about 1 second and then completely quiets down. Fellas- as much as I hate to accept it, I'm thinking it's the bearing. Can't imagine adding heavy oil would affect the sound/intensity of knock if it weren't.

 

You are correct as far as the original posters car goes but the XJR got VVT in the 2006MY.

 

I think you would be wise to remove the right cam cover and inspect the tensioner that is the one that normally goes first and look at the chain links real close i had a link break on one side and had i not turned the engine over with a socket and ratchet i would have missed it i have seen too many with the sound you are describing

 

How did the old oil look? You can send out the oil to a company and they can test it. I would think an engine with a bad bearing would have metal in the oil. Heavier oil would also help mask a timing chain issue.

 

Well - now it's overheating. I can turn on the interior heat to full blast and keep it at normal but what in the heck is going on? Does the overheating symtom mean anything? I was just going to hope for a deaf salesman and trade it in for something but now I have to find a deaf and blind one- and those are hard to come by.

Just did a search for the usual suspects. there is no foam/discoloration in the oil and there is nothing coming out of the tailpipe. The reserve tank is fill to the proper level and there are no apparent leaks on the car top or bottom. I'm beginning to think it's been possessed by satan...

 

Sounds like a run of some bad luck. I wish I could offer something. Hang in there it's gotta get better.

 

Try replacing the thermostat and temp sensor, both cheap parts and easy to change. Any car with 60K is due for a thermostat anyway.

 

Don't these threads that just die drive you nuts?