2000 JAGUAR Vanden Plas Problems & Complaints

VEHICLE STALLS AND GOES INTO A ENGINE FAIL SAFE MODE RANDOMLY. THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS SINCE WHEN IT GOES IN THIS MODE IT REDUCES POWER TO THE ENGINE LEAVING THE DRIVER STUCK TO TRY TO GET OFF THE ROAD. THERE HAS BEEN A PROBLEM WITH JAGUAR THROTTLE BODIES ON THIS MODEL THAT THEY WERE SUPPOSE TO HAVE FIXED BY THE TIME THEY MADE THE 2000 MODEL BUT I THINK IT IS STILL A PROBLEM. THERE WAS A RECALL ON MODELS UP TO 1999 TO GET THE THROTTLE BODIES REPLACED. IT SHOULD HAVE INCLUDED 2000 AS WELL. *TR

THERE EXISTS A CONDITION WITH THE SECONDARY TIMING CHAIN TENSIONER IN 2000 JAGUAR XJ8, VANDEN PLAS, OR XK8 MODELS THAT CAN AND DOES LEAD TO CATASTROPHIC ENGINE FAILURE. TO DATE JAGUAR DOES NOT ADMIT THAT THIS IS A SERIOUS DESIGN FLAW AND SAFETY ISSUE. THERE ARE NO RECALLS OR EVEN A SERVICE BULLETIN ON THIS HOWEVER FAILURES ARE DOCUMENTED ON THE JAGUAR CLUB OF NORTH AMERICA AND POSSIBLY OTHERS HAVE BEEN QUIETLY FIXED BY JAGUAR. THIS PLASTIC TENSIONER CAN FAIL UPON START-UP, AS IT DID IN MY CASE, OR IN THE WORST SCENARIO IT CAN HAPPEN AT SPEED. THE PLASTIC HOUSING OF THE TENSIONER SIMPLY FAILS RESULTING IN THE TIMING BELT BREAKING AND OR JUMPING OFF. WITHOUT ANY WARNING THE RESULT AT SPEED IS SUDDEN AND COMPLETE ENGINE FAILURE, WHICH CAN LEAD TO AN EXTREMELY DANGEROUS DRIVING CONDITION. AT STARTUP THE RESULT IS THE INABILITY TO START THE ENGINE STRANDING THE DRIVER WHEREVER THE CAR HAS STOPPED. IN MY CASE THE FAILURE OCCURRED ON STARTUP, BREAKING THE TIMING CHAIN, AND RESULTING IN A $2000 REPAIR. THE CAR WAS A 2000 VANDEN PLAS, VIN [XXX], WITH 42,067 MILES AND FAILED WITHOUT ANY PREVIOUS NOISE OR INDICATION. UPON ENGINE TEAR DOWN TO REPAIR THERE WAS NO APPARENT SIGN OF EXCESSIVE WEAR OR ANY OIL SLUDGE. THE FAILED TENSIONER PLASTIC HOUSING SIMPLY BROKE. THE OTHER GOOD TENSIONER HAD A CLEARLY VISIBLE CRACK IN THE PLASTIC HOUSING AND INDEED WOULD HAVE ALSO FAILED. I HAVE THE FAILED PARTS. REPLACED WAS: SECONDARY CHAIN, BOTH CHAIN TENSIONERS, BOSS SEAL, 2 TIMING SEALS, AND 2 CAM GASKETS. (FAILURE AT SPEED REQUIRES COMPLETE ENGINE REPLACEMENT.) PICTURES ARE SHOWN BELOW.*AK UPDATED 07/26/2012 *JS INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

THE ENGINE WILL STALL RANDOMLY. THIS HAPPENS AT LOW SPEED OR WHEN I STOP AT AN INTERSECTION. IT HAS ALSO STALLED WHEN MAKING A TURN AND NARROWLY AVOIDED AN ACCIDENT. IT ONLY HAPPENS RANDOMLY AND THERE IS NO PATTERN TO WHEN IT WILL HAPPEN.

BAD ODOR INSIDE OF VEHICLE. CONSUMER WAS CATCHING HEADACHE FROM SMELL. NOTIFIED DEALERSHIP AND MANUAFACTURER . THERE WAS A LEAK CAUSED BY A MOLD UNDERNEATH VEHICLE, RUGS HAD TO BE REPLACED. AIR CONDITIONER WAS LEAKING A SUBSTANCE THAT CAUSED A MOLD INSIDE OF VEHICLE. VEHICLE AT THE DEALERSHIP FOR A MONTH.*AK