My 2.7d S-Type now needs a cam belt change due to mileage (105,000) so I'm looking for the best deal in the West Midlands.

Can anybody recommend a suitable place to take it please?

 

Also, should I get the water pump and auxiliary belts done at the same time?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

HI Keith,

 

Last year a Jaguar main dealer in Coventry had a special offer for this job.  It might be worth getting a quote from a Main Dealer, and another from Northfield Garage'

 

I have used  for the last 12 years a mobile mechanic who operated around the Sutton Coldfield and North Birmingham area and he did the cam belts on my Rover 2.5 V6  about 5 years ago.  I will be using him in 40k miles!  He also does all my servicing.

 

Regards,

 

Peter.

 

 

Hi Peter, Thank you for the speedy response. Coincidentally I have spoken with the main dealer in Coventry who are doing a deal - £350 for cam belt and tensioner, inclusive of VAT. I asked about the water pump and was told that they very rarely need changing but if I did want it changed the price went up considerably at £500+. There are also issues with getting the car to them etc.

 

I like the idea of a mobile mechanic (I have a drive where he could do the work) as it saves trying to sort out delivering and collecting the car. I'm not sure if he would take on the cam belt replacement but it's worth me enquiring.

Are you able to message me his contact details please?

 

Kind regards

 

Keith

Hi Keith,

 

For big jobs Carl likes to take your car to his premises because he likes to start and finish a job uninterrupted.

 

Smaller jobs [changing an exhaust etc] he will do on your drive.

 

07866 986243 is his mobile number.  Mention my name so he will know where the contact came from.

 

Regards,

 

Peter

Hi Peter, Thank you very much for your replies and for the contact details for Carl. I'll 'phone him and will tell him that you recommended him

 

Many thanks again

 

Regards

 

Keith

Hi I recently had a Cambelt change for 2.7 diesel S type at jaguar dealer in Cardiff.

3000 km later the car ground to a halt in mid France. At first thought to be a cam belt installation problem. Jaguar worldwide were contacted. 4 weeks later it has been diagnosed as a broken oil pump. A hole in the casting to prove it. Jaguar have now offered to cover 50% of the 12600€ bill for a new engine. Whilst I am happy for any contributions, does this 50% contribution indicate that Jaguar believe the life of their Diesel engine as only 300,000 km or 180,000 miles. Any thought would be gratefully received

Welcome to the club, Tim.

 

The 2.7 litre engine was designed as a joint venture between Ford and Peugeot, and is well thought of.

 

Having said that when I bought my S type wth the same engine the service book showed that the engine had been changed by under warranty by Jaguar at 21,821 miles.  When I asked why, I was told that it was probably the oil pump.

 

While the engine is reckoned to be a very good one, I wonder more about the quality of the oil pump.  No matter how good an engine is, it can't do its job without oil.

 

Regards,

 

Peter.

Thank you Peter. So far I have found the engine quiet, fast and extremely economical.

Do you think 50 % a sensible contributution after only 90,000 miles?

Hi Tim,

 

50% seems to be the usual level of compensation when Jaguar are aware that they had fitted a component [the oil pump] which failed without letting you know.

 

However, I would write a very nice and polite letter to Jaguar,  firstly thanking them for their offer, but also saying that you have taken great care of a great  car [no pun intended], having the cam belt changed before it was due [105k] , and always using engine oil as recommended etc etc, and wondering if they could up the offer somewhat.

 

Sometimes it works.

 

I had an engine blow on me on the 12th June 1964, when my Triumph T100 suffered an oil pipe fracture.  I had another 'bike at the time so I found someone who wanted the frame, wheels etc and more or less gave it him.

 

Good luck

 

Peter.

Hi Peter. The saga of the timing belt continues. It transpired that it was the oil pump that failed and they offered 50% contribution. It took 4 weeks to provide the quote for a new engine for 12,600€. I eventually agreed and engine ordered. 10 days later an amended quote appeared for 15,200€!!!!   A further contribution of 1,300€. The engine Jaguar in La Rochelle had ordered would not be available fo over a month.   If I didn't agree to this and wanted to wait I would loose the courtesy car immediately. Knowing the problems of timescales I had already encountered I agreed but at the same time wrote to Jaguaur to tell them of my treatment and unhappiness at the saga of prices for a "new" engine. Incidentally the wording on the quote is exactly the same but with the amended price. As Jaguar UK will not give me a direct email address all correspondence goes through Jaguar Uk!  The letter was forwarded over a week ago and I haven't even had an acknowledgement. I know Jaguar France have received the letter as I telephoned the UK to see if they had received my note and after 5 days they confirmed they had.

i really can't believe that a customer can be ignored in such a big way. Do you have any contacts within Jaguar that I can speak to please.  Thanks Tim

Hi Tim,

It is a Saga, but I fail to understand why the quote has been increased by the Jaguar dealer in La Rochelle.  After all, a quote is a quote and not an estimate.  I would continue to pester Jaguar UK.

I have now been retired for almost 17 years and my contacts in the automotive industry have disappeared into that dealership in the sky.  I used to have some very good contacts in the SMMT - The Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders - and it might be well worth checking their website to see who the Boss Man/Woman is.  I think that you could send a letter to him/her and copies of your correspondence and Jaguar will know by the cc at the bottom of your letter that you are not going to go away.

My car had an engine change at 29k due to an oil pump failure, by it was owned by a Jaguar dealership and under warranty at the time.

Good Luck.

Peter.