V12, a crack in the casing at the front, some help please.

[colbol58517]

A worrying discovery!
While doing some routine servicing it has been noticed that an epoxy type fill material had been used on a crack to the section at the front of the engine. The fill has been applied around the aluminium cover plate that the power steering pully is screw fixed too, it is hard to determine where the crack is due to the amount of fill material. There is a resulting oil leak which has become quite bad and renders the car undrivable for any period of time.
It is obvious that this is beyond a DIY task, I live in Essex, near Stanstead airport, and would appreciate comments and advice from any members that have had a similar experience. It would also be good to be advised to which garage is best suited to the task of identifying and correcting the issue.

Thanks in advance
Colin Bowles

[ptjs1]

Colin,

It might be helpful if you could post a few photos of the crack / epoxy on the cover.

Paul

[colbol58517]

hi Paul

Thank you for the reply
The car will be transported to Hilton & Moss, Bishops Stortford, on Monday where a full investigation will take place and I will have a series of photos when the bonnet is off and the radiator and and various components are removed. It occurs to me that this is not a DIY task, I am a highly established Engineer/technician in my day job, my best qualification is to know when not to meddle.
I will post photos and keep you updated, the V12 is a complex piece if kit, I wondered if others had encountered this issue. I am also seeking legal advise, I had bought the car from a dealer in Sussex in 2021, the car had been through an extensive engine rebuild by Jaguar L.R in 2019 and there was no existence of the problem in their full report. Based on a series of troubling issues with the car and the dealer I feel that there may be a case to take to a lawyer.
This looks like an expensive operation!

Thanks again
Colin Bowles

[poprivet]

Assuming it's the timing cover? they are often are available on ebay at a reasonable cost although the part number needs to be checked as there were changes over the years.

Alloy welding is possible but likely to cost more if another part cannot be found.

Labour costs from a garage will be your main issue. As for legal action, I'm no expert but I would have thought that three years on from purchase its unlikely to be resolved in your favour and could involve a lengthy and costly process, especially if you didn't contact the seller to give them an option to repair first.

Buying and owning any vehicle of this age will always reveal unforseen problems especially where Mr DIY has been active.

I hope you get a satisfactory outcome, and we look forward to seeing more details in due course.

[colbol58517]

An update!
The car was trailered to Hilton and Moss in Bishops Stortford, a fine outfit, and i just had a report back after close inspection, their guys having removed the bonnet, radiator and pulleys etc revealed there is no crack, thankfully. The last owner or dealer that sold me the car had done a bodge fill instead of replacing a failed gasket. The voice of hindsight is telling me not to trust a second hand car dealer, I should have paid for a full inspection/survey.
Moving on!