2003 Jaguar XJ8 base 4.0 V8 has a chatter when the car is started for a second or two and a noise when it is shut off. Sound is metallic chatter and is coming from the left side (drivers US side) of the valve cover area. TIA

Questions:
1. What is the likely cause the noise?
2. What causes it?
3. How hard is it to fix/repair?
4. Can it be driven for a little while or should it be parked/towed until fixed?

Thanks. Here is a video of the sound:

 

better not keep trying to start --- the secondary tensioners crack and no longer hold the secondary chain in the head tight against the sprocket. All it takes is for the chain to skip and it's good buy engine.

Known problem -- it's a requirement to fix on these cars. Do a search -- you will find lots of information

 

+1 on timing chain noise.

If they haven't been replaced, the primary and secondary timing chains, guides and tensioners should be replaced or catastrophic engine failure is the result.

There are several threads on this topic that you can read through.

 

His 2003 XJ8 would have factory metal timing gear, correct?

Obviously the timing gear should be checked for failure before starting again but doesn't the factory timing gear reduce the possibility that this noise he is hearing is a failing tensioner?

 

That's what the others are suggesting- failing tensioner. It may or may not have plastic tensioners, and even the metal ones have been known to fail.

 

Some time ago I read about the timing chain tensioners. All of my reading indicated that the primary problem was fixed by 2003. I'll tell him to shut it down and look into fixing it.

One guy suggested that I do the secondary chains and tensioners. Will that do or should all be addressed?

 

Sounds like a loose timing chain. Although the secondary plastic tensioners were fixed by 03, the rest of the gear can wear out. I would pull the cam cover and take a look.

Damn, that is one dirty motor (looks as bad as the back seat of your Volvo, Robert).

Maybe an oil change . . .

 

It appears the OP has a 4.0 litre engine, not a 4.2 with the revised timing chain tensioners.

 

Based on the video, you have a 4.0 litre, not the 4.2 with revised timing chain tensioners.

Given the age of the vehicle, it would be best to replace the primary and secondary timing chains, guides and tensioners. Doing less if false economy.

 

wait: a little research helps. In the US, the 2003 model year X308 was a 4.0 liter V8, not a 4.2 that was introduced with the X350.

 

The later 4.0 liter V8 in the X308 (late year 2002 models and probably all 2003 models) had the upgraded metal timing gear. Basically any engine built after August of 2001 so it's the engine serial number that counts, not the VIN number of the car. I've had two X308s from that time frame; both had all metal factory timing gear.

I did a full timing gear upgrade on a 2001 model Jaguar I used to own and the metal gear from the factory looks beefier than the upgrade parts I installed on the older engine. Could be my imagination but the factory stuff just looks tougher. Also those later model factory installed metal timing parts included an improved primary chain design and oil pump pick-up.

 

The changed the design for the last 4.0L motors (post Aug 2001 build). Basically the same tensioners as in the 4.2 and 4.4.

 

OK. should I try to do the secondary timing change parts? Or at 152,000+ should both be done? The local shop here will do all for about $2,000.

Is there a way to check to see if the primary chain parts are good without tearing the engine apart?

I'm willing to do the secondary parts in the parking lot of the apartments where he is living, but not the entire thing (shop task).

Also, will these eBay parts work? Or should I seek better quality parts?
https://www.ebay.com/itm/Jaguar-Ford....c100675.m4236

JHartz: Man, I'm working on the back of my Volvo wagon. lolol

 

Sad part about the mess under here is that I replaced all of the cam cover seals about 4 years ago. Started leaking again 6 months ago. Got the seals from RockAuto I think.

 

It is easy job to do the secondary: will take YOU a couple of hours: cheapest parts are from Christophers. Once you open up the left side (drivers' US) you will be able to look down into the engine and examine the primaries and their slippers. Then it gets to be decision time.

But I think we have all said: tell your brother to park it until the secondaries (at the minimum) are done. Lots of threads on this forum and on the XK . . .

Back of the Swedish tractor reminded me of my granddad's plumbing truck . . .

 

The car is parked since he got back in town. Then he proceeded to ask me to use my rare Yellow Volvo 850 T-5R, which he parked in a special spot, then went a window.

Today he purchased another car to use until the Jag if fixed.

So, pull the valve cover and see if it has cracked plastic guides? All of the videos I have seen so far on YouTube scare me. Little to no details.

The part above comes with small chains and guides. Not sure how the small chains cam be removed without taking the primary chains off???

 

Where can I get/purchase the camshaft locking tools?

 

Bump...

I can't find them on eBay.

 

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Timing-Set-...0AAOSw~gRV6o8J

 

XKs unlimited sells the locking bar for about $96.00 and Jagbits has the whole tool kit for around $365.00. When I did mine I used the zip tie method and it has been successful every time.

Read thru the post below.

https://www.jaguarforums.com/forum/x...ion-how-37415/