I got sick of trying to figure it out myself so I took the car to a local shop owned by someone I know a little bit, had him check the oil leak I developed this past week.

It's on the passenger (right) side of the car. Apparently it's either the timing chain gasket or valve cover gasket.

Now I've done a little searching on the valve cover gaskets/seals. I've determined I need the connected ones as seen here in kit #2 (link provided by steve11). The black individual ones are to be avoided and there isn't a FoMoCo equivalent for this particular style.

I've attempted to find some information about the timing chain gasket but I have come up short. Maybe my terminology is off a tad. Can I be enlightened?

 

Looks like it is a two piece gasket, plus two o-rings:

(Assuming last 6 digits of your VIN are under 042775)

 

Those prices are crazy high. You can do much better with some research.

 

All the gaskets are available seperately, you don,t have to buy a "Kit" .
Also would have thought that any professional mechanic would be able to determine exactly where the leak was coming from-i.e.... clean up-run- look.
Just to add, if its a front timing cover leak then its wise to replace the inner and outer T/C gaskets plus both rocker cover and all spark plug gaskets. If it.s a rocker cover leak then just the gasket set for the offending side will need replacing.
Hope this helps
Bob

 

Forgot to add crank seal if it it the timing cover, sorry
Bob

 

Those are not correct prices. The prices from the downloaded version of the EPC are just plain wrong and can be ignored.

 

Ha! With those prices I'd slap insurance back on the Camaro and start driving it again instead. I was just using those as an example.

WhiteXKR, in your first post, is that the timing chain gasket I seek?

 

Yes, but they are crossed into these new numbers now (pricing from Gaudin Jaguar website):

AJ83699 $19.50
Engine - Camshaft & timing - Front cover gasket
Front cover gasket, innner, all models - 4.0l, 8 cylinder 1997 - 2003


AJ83700 $42.75
Engine - Camshaft & timing - Front cover gasket
Front cover gasket, outer, all models - 4.0l, 8 cylinder 1997 - 2003

KSC145624 $0.76
Engine - Camshaft & timing - O-ring
O-ring, xj, xk, sedan - 4.0l, 8 cylinder 1998 - 2003

 

Remember you have a British car so they are supposed to leak.

 

Don't forget to check for a plugged orifice in the LH cam cover. See XK8 FAQ for correct size drill to clean.

 

Thanks for the information guys.

I think a P1396 was triggered because of this now. Not sure what to make of it. I read the thread titled VVT Problem (code P-1396) and based on post #2 (by test point) I am inclined to believe it's due to low oil pressure, caused by such a leak. However I topped up the oil and I'm still recieving the check engine light and the same code.

On further reading, in post #6 Stateloss describes a rattle at start up. Now I don't have a rattle at startup, but I do when hitting the accelerator on a cold engine. Gordocat in post #4 describes a "distinct click". I have a series of distinct clicks. I want to compare it to sticking a piece of cardboard to the spokes of a bicycle for a second or three.

Some experimenting has shown that the oil leaks, err drips, lightly when the car is running. It becomes more of a gusher with more loss with pressure applied to the accelerator.

Here is a video with sound of the throttle in action. There's a squeaky/grind that you can hear.

YouTube - ‪MVI_2083.MOV‬‏

Here are two videos of the engine. The first sounds fairly normal. The second is a close up of the passenger side cylinder bank. There are two distinct clicking noises. This one is at the front. The other is the exact same and located more towards the rear.

YouTube - ‪MVI_2081.MOV‬‏

YouTube - ‪MVI_2082.MOV‬‏

I think that's all I have to say for now.

 

I have a leak, also, which a mechanic says is the valve cover. After I get these, how do I take off the old ones and replace with the new ones? What type of gasket cement do I need?

 

Bump. Need to confirm the source of the oil leak before I order the parts. Probably something I should do tomorrow.

 

To the top.

 

what, I thought you found it.

 

To the original question yes. However this oil leak issue may have spawned a few others as they appeared around the same time or shortly there after. I feel the issues in the post with the youtube clips are connected to my leaking oil issue.

For instance, the P1396 code is, I believe, reporting a problems on the same side of the engine as the oil leak. Also, with the application of pressure on the accelerator, the oil leaks quite a bit more.

I don't want to fix the problem only to have the other issues I may have identified to recreate it. If the other issues are a result of the oil leak, great, I'll fix the leak and be happy. If they are the cause of the leak, then maybe if I can ID them I can correct them before they cause more problems. Or if it becomes too much for my to handle in my driveway, I'll take it to the garage.

 

As someone on another thread stated... it's a British car, it's supposed to leak.

My 97 has several leaks that I've just given up on. One of them being coolant at the base of the thermostat housing and three common oil leak areas. Both of my mechanics agree... I can fix them if I want, they will likely return and they don't affect the safe operation of the vehicle. The vehicle runs great and the very minor leaks don't pose any threats.

Then again, my leaks are really, really minor... there is never a puddle of anything on the ground or whatever.

 

Maybe minor leaks, but not a quart of oil every week.

Besides, cars aren't supposed to leak.

 

Most cars aren't but I think that's a requirement of all British cars and cycles.

 

Well I got the thing up in the air. Turns out the oil filter was punctured just out of sight. There was still a rock in it. Gotta love the beating this thing has taking.

Had all the fluids and filters changed. No more squeaks, rattles and groans. No more leaks.

Happy again.