[Zach]

Hi guys,

I would just like to share my first two months of owning a Jaguar look like.


2 months ago, I bought an XF 67 plate with 97k on board, first week after I bought it I took it to Jaguar Derby dealership for a "in-depth health check" and to remove the previous owner off the live app (it has the InControl pro infotainment system). They gave me the report which stated the car is mint, just two bushes on their way out and might need changing next year. Very happy about the car and findings.

Last week (5 weeks later) I took it to Jaguar Shrewsbury to do the SOTA stage 4 update so I can use Android Auto and due to their "complementary" heath check they called me right away to come over and discuss the findings. The update could not be performed as its the old version of the Phase 3 and the update might require a new TCU.

Unfortunately they stated as follows: Engine/exhaust excessively vibrating,
Timing chain noisy,
Engine Breathing,
Signs of rear timing cover oil leak,
SCR Catalyst heat shield rattle,
DEF Injector leaking.
At first I didn't believe it as I drove it max 1k miles since last jaguar Derby checked it and nothing seemed wrong. But the video they supplied doesn`t lie.
Also, to sum it all up, they said the engine is on its way out and they will not even quote me to fix it as its something they would not like to do.


When I bought it, it came with a RAC warranty for 6 months (Platinum) so now I`m booked in for a warranty report with a RAC warranty approved garage. I really hope the warranty will cover it, otherwise I can not afford a 4k engine replacement cost and its too late to return it to the dealer. I`m gutted as the car drives so nice..
I checked the engine breathing issue and when I remove the dipstick and the oil top up cap smokes like a second exhaust through them and spits oil.

Did any one experienced something similar? Or has any advices?

Thank you in advance.

 

[Phil1]

Ancillaries are always something that are going to need more attention at that mileage. To go as far as saying the engine is on its way out seems a bit far fetched. I'd go find a good independent specialist.

 

[wilf]

Did you buy from a dealer or privately?

 

[Zach]

Did you buy from a dealer or privately?

From a dealer. Bullivant`s auto.

 

[Statler]

Hi guys,

I would just like to share my first two months of owning a Jaguar look like.


2 months ago, I bought an XF 67 plate with 97k on board, first week after I bought it I took it to Jaguar Derby dealership for a "in-depth health check" and to remove the previous owner off the live app (it has the InControl pro infotainment system). They gave me the report which stated the car is mint, just two bushes on their way out and might need changing next year. Very happy about the car and findings.

Last week (5 weeks later) I took it to Jaguar Shrewsbury to do the SOTA stage 4 update so I can use Android Auto and due to their "complementary" heath check they called me right away to come over and discuss the findings. The update could not be performed as its the old version of the Phase 3 and the update might require a new TCU.

Unfortunately they stated as follows: Engine/exhaust excessively vibrating,
Timing chain noisy,
Engine Breathing,
Signs of rear timing cover oil leak,
SCR Catalyst heat shield rattle,
DEF Injector leaking.
At first I didn't believe it as I drove it max 1k miles since last jaguar Derby checked it and nothing seemed wrong. But the video they supplied doesn`t lie.
Also, to sum it all up, they said the engine is on its way out and they will not even quote me to fix it as its something they would not like to do.


When I bought it, it came with a RAC warranty for 6 months (Platinum) so now I`m booked in for a warranty report with a RAC warranty approved garage. I really hope the warranty will cover it, otherwise I can not afford a 4k engine replacement cost and its too late to return it to the dealer. I`m gutted as the car drives so nice..
I checked the engine breathing issue and when I remove the dipstick and the oil top up cap smokes like a second exhaust through them and spits oil.

Did any one experienced something similar? Or has any advices?

Thank you in advance.

Don’t get you hopes up on that RAC warranty.
My son had similar one which refused parts that were faulty from purchase. He would have had to tackle the selling dealer through the courts.

Take the final report to your selling dealer as they should be repairing anything found faulty within the first six months.

The car probably needs a set of active engine mounts. It’s a common failure on XF and XE. I had mine done last year. They should be covered by the dealer as they would most likely have been faulty at purchase.

A good service with decent oil will help with the noisy chain. The timing cover leak should be properly cleaned and re-evaluated. It could be minor.

Do have the turbo checked out as they can fail around 100k.

A leaky DEF injector is another faulty at purchase argument.

Hope you get sorted

 

[Coolcity]

Totally agree with what Statler said. Warranties are there for a reason.

 

[Zach]

Don’t get you hopes up on that RAC warranty.
My son had similar one which refused parts that were faulty from purchase. He would have had to tackle the selling dealer through the courts.

Take the final report to your selling dealer as they should be repairing anything found faulty within the first six months.

The car probably needs a set of active engine mounts. It’s a common failure on XF and XE. I had mine done last year. They should be covered by the dealer as they would most likely have been faulty at purchase.

A good service with decent oil will help with the noisy chain. The timing cover leak should be properly cleaned and re-evaluated. It could be minor.

Do have the turbo checked out as they can fail around 100k.

A leaky DEF injector is another faulty at purchase argument.

Hope you get sorted

Thank you for the reply. I will see what the second investigation report comes out with and then if the warranty doesn't pan out I will drop it with the dealer.
I don`t know what the law is with returning a car, a general google says that if its over 28 days from purchase its not the dealers responsibility.

 

[wilf]

Any fault that appears within six months of purchase is the selling dealer's responsibility. They should be allowed on attempt to fix it, if not you can return it.

my money is them denying responsibility and trying to hide behind the warranty, but in law they cannot. Maybe have a chat with citizens advice or trading standards so you understand your rights.

 

[Coolcity]

Good article here:

Problem with a used car - Citizens Advice

 

[Zach]

Any fault that appears within six months of purchase is the selling dealer's responsibility. They should be allowed on attempt to fix it, if not you can return it.

my money is them denying responsibility and trying to hide behind the warranty, but in law they cannot. Maybe have a chat with citizens advice or trading standards so you understand your rights.

Good article here:

Problem with a used car - Citizens Advice

Thank you, I gave it a good read. Before I go crazy on them, I`m curious to see what the Warranty report will say. I would hope it was just a nit-picking enthusiast engineer that found all these faults.
I`ll keep everyone up to date.

 

[Coolcity]

Yes, please do, it's always useful to know the outcome of these things. Don't give in easily. Much of what Statler said seems about right, and I agree with Phil, saying the engine is "in it's way out" does seem over the top. Not many engines fail at that mileage these days, especially larger ones as it's near impossible to thrash them beyond their limits.

Does it have a decent service history?

 

[MalcXFR]

My main dealer found an oil leak which they wanted £3600 to fix, took it to an independent for a 2nd opinion who said to ignore it, not worth the expense (at their cheaper labour cost) to do. 2 years later the oil gauge has never moved off full and no sign of any oil under the car or on the under tray.

 

[Zach]

Yes, please do, it's always useful to know the outcome of these things. Don't give in easily. Much of what Statler said seems about right, and I agree with Phil, saying the engine is "in it's way out" does seem over the top. Not many engines fail at that mileage these days, especially larger ones as it's near impossible to thrash them beyond their limits.

Does it have a decent service history?

The first owner had took great care of it with everything up to date. The second one (I`m the third) not so, has a history but a very sketchy one in the meaning it was serviced by local shops that can be barely found through google.

 

[Zach]

My main dealer found an oil leak which they wanted £3600 to fix, took it to an independent for a 2nd opinion who said to ignore it, not worth the expense (at their cheaper labour cost) to do. 2 years later the oil gauge has never moved off full and no sign of any oil under the car or on the under tray.

I wish that's the case. But the engine does vibrate horribly when idling and it`s spitting oil and smoke through the oil top up cap and dip stick. I don't think that its normal even for a 100k miles.Also, I would think he is pulling my leg if they would quote me to fix it, but they refused to do so. Stating its too complicated and they are too busy for this sort of work. It`s a shame because I really like the car.

 

[Statler]

The horrible vibration is likely to be engine mounts as I said above. They are vacuum controlled and that can have other effects on the engine if they are leaking as well as failed.

Is the oil cap seating properly? A vapour lock on the crankcase may cause that. Tracking it down shouldn’t be that hard but may be a knock-on of the engine mounts.

 

[Zach]

The horrible vibration is likely to be engine mounts as I said above. They are vacuum controlled and that can have other effects on the engine if they are leaking as well as failed.

Is the oil cap seating properly? A vapour lock on the crankcase may cause that. Tracking it down shouldn’t be that hard but may be a knock-on of the engine mounts.

Yup, the cap its sealing perfectly so does the dip stick. It`s just when I take them off they spit oil and smoke comes out. How can I trouble shoot the engine mounts? and thank you for the info so far.

 

[Statler]

Yup, the cap its sealing perfectly so does the dip stick. It`s just when I take them off they spit oil and smoke comes out. How can I trouble shoot the engine mounts? and thank you for the info so far.

You can’t troubleshoot them. They either work, so you can balance a drink bottle on the engine cover, or they don’t, and the bottle falls over!

Are you removing the oil cap and dipstick with the engine running?
If so, it’s no wonder oil spits out. The oil cap is directly above the camshafts and they are spinning which will ‘spit’ oil everywhere.
Removing either with the engine running will upset the crankcase breather mechanism.

 

[Coolcity]

Agreed, that's not going to tell you anything. The oil cap's there for a reason!

I also wouldn't necessarily read too much into the servicing if it has at least been done. Many people, myself included, prefer to use a local garage that has served us well over the years than a main dealer, and most of these have no reason for a website or the need to be found on Google.

I've had to find someone new as my regular retired last year, but the new garage will tell me if there's anything too complicated, to see a Jag specialist or Jag approved dealer and that's what I would recommend. If you're not sure what you're doing I wouldn't bother trying to troubleshoot it yourself.

 

[Zach]

You can’t troubleshoot them. They either work, so you can balance a drink bottle on the engine cover, or they don’t, and the bottle falls over!

Are you removing the oil cap and dipstick with the engine running?
If so, it’s no wonder oil spits out. The oil cap is directly above the camshafts and they are spinning which will ‘spit’ oil everywhere.
Removing either with the engine running will upset the crankcase breather mechanism.

Aha, makes sense. Initially the mechanic who put the cover put it wrong and bent one of the cover locators so it was mostly the cover vibrating not the engine, on a deeper look the engine vibrates too but then again not having this car/model before its hard to tell what is normal.

This is the video and report I got from Jaguar: MV67VZZ (ignore the name the buggers miss spelled my name)

 

[Zach]

Agreed, that's not going to tell you anything. The oil cap's there for a reason!

I also wouldn't necessarily read too much into the servicing if it has at least been done. Many people, myself included, prefer to use a local garage that has served us well over the years than a main dealer, and most of these have no reason for a website or the need to be found on Google.

I've had to find someone new as my regular retired last year, but the new garage will tell me if there's anything too complicated, to see a Jag specialist or Jag approved dealer and that's what I would recommend. If you're not sure what you're doing I wouldn't bother trying to troubleshoot it yourself.

I understand, before I had a Vauxhall Insignia 2.0 engine and at 170k miles it wouldn`t do the smoke and oil through the cap or dipstick that`s why I though it may be wrong. So it may be something that I panicked for nothing. I posted the link to the video I got from Jaguar but its waiting on mod approval.

Regarding dealers I don`t trust them either and rather go to a local garage that I trust, unfortunately with my previous car I didn`t manage to find anyone trustworthy so I did the servicing myself. But with this beauty I don`t really have the balls to touch it yet as it looks way more complicated).

Again, thank you all for the advices, there are much welcomed.