Secondary timing chain broke destroyed the entire assembly in addition to engine damage
Engine & cooling
Jaguar XJ8 Engine problems by year
46 complaints filed with NHTSA about the Jaguar XJ8's engine & cooling. Stalling, loss of power, oil consumption, overheating, head gaskets, timing chains and engine failure.
Engine complaints by model year
Latest XJ8 engine complaints
Tl* the contact owns a 2001 jaguar xj8. While driving at 5 mph, the vehicle stalled and various warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was not able to restart. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the spark plugs needed to be replaced and an engine oil flush needed to be performed. The vehicle was repaired, but the failure recurred. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 56,000.
Operating my vehicle, the engine starting running poor. Jaguar dealership explained poorly designed timing chain tensioners and arms have failed because jaguar made the components out of a cheap plastic, that is known to crack and cause the valves to contact the pistons. Jaguar updated the tensioners to metal , but refuses to accept responsibility for this design flaw and want to charge several thousand dollars to upgrade to the better designed parts. They refereed me to service bulletin technical service...
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bulletin no. X303-68 , but it states if you haera a rattling noise, however it also states you may not hear a rattling noise, my car did not, and out of no where , thengine stopped running due to this design flaw, that has been updated. In fact, this effect every single 4.0 Engine, that's millions! It's time this becomes a recall to replace these parts free and repair any engine component damaged from their failure.A customer should not have to pay thousands for an defective plastic tensioner, some one put inside a hot running engine, that was a very dumb idea, and the failure may even occur as young as 32,000 miles.
Tl* the contact owns a 1998 jaguar xj8. The contact stated that the vehicle would stall without warning when driving at higher speeds of approximately 75 mph. The check engine warning light would illuminate after the failure occurred. The vehicle was not inspected or repaired. The failure mileage was 98,000 and the current mileage was 101,000.
Engine stall at high speed on highway, notice there has been recall on this before. Just purchase the car and check it out carfax and no mention this car was taking in for this recall can I still respond to this recall and how? [[redacted]] information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u.S.C. 552(B)(6). *Tr
Tl* the contact owns a 2001 jaguar xj8. The contact stated when starting the vehicle, the check engine and error warning lights were illuminated. The performance of the engine was restricted with minimal engine power. The vehicle was towed to the dealer where the contact was advised the failure potentially was caused by the primary or secondary timing chain tensioner. The dealer advised having the vehicle diagnosed in order to determine the exact failure and repair needed. The vehicle was neither diagnosed nor repaired. There was not a recall for the failure. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure and current mileages were 90,000.
Tl*the contact owns a 1999 jaguar xj8. The vehicle would not start and the contact took it to the dealer. Because the timing chain tensioner was made of plastic, the plastic shears kept entering into the engine timing chain tensioner. The repair cost over $1,000 and the manufacturer was unable to assist because the vehicle was out of warranty. The current and failure mileages were less than 98,817.
Tl*the contact owns a 1998 jaguar xj8. When the contact started the vehicle, he heard a clicking noise coming from the engine. The vehicle was taken to the dealer and they determined that the timing tensioner was failing. The cost for repair would be $1,500. The contact is in the process of notifying the manufacturer. The failure mileage was 106,000 and current mileage was 106,050.
Vehicle stalls randomly bringing about a failure of all systems sometimes in the middle of crowded and fast freeways. Doing research on the problem it seems to be common for this type of vehicle and there seems to be a solution with the throttle body assembly design but aparently the manufacturer has not issued a recall for it and many people go to the dealerships spending thousands of dollars in repairs that do not solve the actual problem. The failure ocurrs randomly while driving under normal conditions. *Tr
Tl*- the contact owns a 1998 jaguar xj8, and stated that the timing tensioner failed and caused the valves to stay open ,which in turn caused the vehicle to lose power at any given time. The current and failure mileage were 66,000.*Ak
Tl*the contact owns a 1998 jaguar xj8. The contact detected a loud rattling noise coming from the vehicle. The vehicle was towed to the dealer, who stated that the timing chain tensioner failed which caused the vales to bend. The pistons and connecting rod were also damaged. The dealer informed the contact that a new engine would be needed. The contact stated that the failure was unexpected, and the vehicle's routine maintenance was up-to-date. The current and failure mileage were 63,000. *Ak the consumer provided repair invoices for vehicle and various information from different websites pertaining to the same defect. Updated 06/26/07 *tr
I have a 1998 jaguar xj8. The vehicle stalls at high speeds, generally after I accelerate over 50 mph. The vehicle is extremely difficult to control and can only be restarted if you bring it to a stop. I had this happen while driving the car in ca. I was almost killed when the vehicle stalled. Jaguar dealer, santa monica,repaired as cyl burn out. Mechanic told me stalling happened frequently with this model. A few years later,san antonio tx on the 183 highway rush hour. Car stalled causing me to swerve next to...
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center median ripping off the engine cover on debris. Jaguar fixed throttle body not engine cover.Service bulletin, defective throttle body. Car ran poorly thereafter. Stalled again year later. Dealer would not repair. $3,000 To fix.. Recently discovered consumers world wide have same problem. Service bulletin repair only short term fix. Jaguar blog in the uk -consumer discovered from a jaguar mechanic , most throttle bodies needed to be cleaned periodically as the lining bad and build up or deposits would form on the walls of the throttle body and cause it to malfunction. My mechanic had heard of similar problems. I called several jaguar dealerships. I was told, off the record, that I could clean the throttle and get by, but certain cleaners would cause the lining to deteriorate. I was told the replacement was a rip off, off the record. Using the appropriate cleaner, the assembly was cleaned without removal. When we turned on the vehicle smoke billowed out of the exhaust for several minutes and then subsided. The vehicle now runs perfectly. Jaguar is profiting from replacement of parts that could be cleaned and need top be cleaned regularly. Replacements effective short term only. Your form allows only "s" type equip". This is a xj8. *Jb
Tl* - the contact stated that while driving at 60 mph the engine shut off on the highway. The contact steered the vehicle to the shoulder and it came to a complete stop. The indicator warning lights were on briefly. The contact was able to restart the vehicle without resistance. *Ak updated 03/28/07.
Tl* - the contact's stated the vehicle was purchased on august 30th 2006, and had problems with loss of power. The vehicle lost power about 100 times while driving65 mph. The contact took the vehicle to the local jaguar dealer for a check up. The dealer informed him that they did not know the cause of the failure. The contact states that on november 20, 2006, while exiting the highway, the vehicle was involved in a crash due to loss of vehicle power and difficulty in steering. The conta ct's vehicle ...
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struck the vehicle in front of her. The incident was reported to police. After the crash, the contact states took the vehicle to dealer an oil change and was informed that the vehicle had a recall on file. The contact took the vehicle back to the dealer ,and was informed that it had already been repaired in november 2004. Also , was told that the vehicle was out of warranty, and so the costs of repairs would not be covered. The manufacturer refused to cover the repairs since the recall problems had already been repaired in 2004. *Ak
Vehicle stalls at highway speed without warning. Throttle body repaired by dealer twice but problem not fixed. Jaguar mailed out letter calling for car to be checked by dealer which I did. Fix lasted 35k miles now problem back! Very dangerous! Dealer will not honor repair. *Nm
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) complaints and recalls, checked daily. Complaints are owners' own reports and are not verified. How we use the data