Folks here have mentioned getting the chain tensioners replaced, so I called the dealer here in Birmingham. Quote is $2700. Is that about the right $$$ number or is there a better way? From looking at the photos of the engine, it looks like you could change the tensioners and never touch the chains. I have 47,095 on the car right now.

 

There should be at least another 50k left in those chains. You can change the tensioners on their own, it should be an awful lot less dollars to do that. Check first that you don't have the latest spec metal tensioners anyway, they may well have already been done.

 

This has been discussed and there are many threads on here about this, with good solid info on parts & procedures in a "how to" form should you decide to tackle it your self?


Someone with all the necessary info will be along shortly to help further amd help save you $$$$

 

Avoid the dealer if you can because they are very expensive for any job. Say 2 or 3 times what you might pay elsewhere. So, worth driving quite a distance for any big job.

 

have a good jaguar mechanic look it over (not main dealer)...tensioners are only £75 ($150??) and the job should only take 4 hours....wouldn't tackle it yourself, as it's not as easy as folk make out and you need special tools...the cam cover seals are a pain to gte right too and the access is tight.....

 

If you look at the carfax on this car, it is so clean it squeaks. 1. The radio was checked after a Jaguar amp was installed at the dealer. 2. The heat and AC was checked once. 3. Regular service.


That's it. I did call Mr. C (only other owner) and ask him. He said the car has never been in the shop for any work except above. I think I'll take your advice and get a second price and drive it a while before I have anything done.

 

Everything should be changed as the chains also wear and they have broken with the old style chain before. Yes they have upgraded the chain too.

Maybe Abonano will comment. He has done this repair himself and has about 220K miles on a 1st gen S Type. That's saying a lot right there!

Maybe a different suggestion but I just found out my 2005 STR with 111K miles is only worth about $3K. I am sure your car is worth a good bit less.

Maybe dump your car and get a 2003+ S Type. These models have a massive amount of factory upgrades but they look almost the same from the outside.

$2700 is just a lot to sink in a car that probably won't bring more than a couple of $K at best.
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+1 on the good advice from tbird6. If you must have a Jaguar specialist work on the engine, the car is not worth repairing.

If you can do the work yourself, it is not a difficult job, but it is time-consuming and you must follow the procedure in the JTIS Workshop Manual and use the special tools.

 

Hi, I changed everything, including chains. This job is not for the faint of heart. You must have the right special tools, follow JTIS to the letter and take your time. No short cuts here..

But once it's done the engine essentially becomes bullet proof with proper maintenance.

My 2000 S Type just turned over 236K miles..

 

Any transmission problems? How many time did you change ATF and filter?

 

Yeah, had a Jasper unit installed at 195K miles. I change the trans fluid/filter every 20K miles.. it's a stipulation of my warranty. Zero issues since install...

 

Sorry my mistake! 231K miles and counting!

That has got to be a record for a first gen 4.0L V-8.
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