Jag mechanic told me that the XJR engines came with metal tensioners that did not require replacement.
He said that IF the sixth from last VIN number was a LETTER and not a number, THEN they were metal.

Anyone have information on this?

 

Better to check your car's engine's exact build date from the engine itself. Can't tell from the VIN (unless it's ages past the date in which case post the VIN).

 

Thank you for the reply.
A different mechanic said that the tensioners give a warning by making noise prior to failure. My car only has 40,000 miles on it.
When do these tensioners typically go out?

 

There's no mileage figure - heating/cooling i.e. age is worse than just miles.

 

+1 on checking engine number to determine build date.

Would be a good idea to remove one or both cam covers and have a look at the condition and type of tensioners in your engine. If the secondary tensioners are worn, both the primary and secondary timing chains, guides and tensioners should be replaced given the age of the vehicle.

 

It would have made a difference in the replies if you had listed the vehicle information in your post. I see in your public bio that you have a 2000 Super 8 listed. If that is the vehicle you are discussing the the only way to tell what generation tensioner you have is to remove the cam cover and inspect. Unless the previous owner has installed them you don't have the updated tensioner.


Changeover date was reputedly August 13 2001, so engine numbers 010814 0001 and up should have metal secondaries