Ok guys, sorry i haven't been around for a while, but I have been busy at work and now I have an issue. I got bit by those Tensioners issues. yes I have the 4.0L engine in my 2001 S Type, thought I was going to be good but Murphy's Law bit me hard. So my question is to anyone who has had this problem, do you really have to drop the engine out of the car to pull the heads? I don't have a garage equipped to do this and paying someone else is not really an option. So now my car has been sitting for a while.

 

No, this can be done with the engine in the car but you have to remove just about everything else to gain access to the front of the block/heads.

 

Are you SURE you need to remove the cylinder heads???????
I bought a 1999 XJ8 with a broken secondary chain and I got lucky that the exhaust cam stopped in a 'HAPPY' place. NO BENT VALVES!!!!!!!!

New chains/tensioners/guides and I was ready to go.

bob

 

Hi Bob,

Correct, heads do not have to be removed to tackle this but the OP mentioned removal of the heads for some reason. (Maybe head gasket issues?)

 

I am not sure if the valves are good or not. Once i started the engine and heard what was happening I shut it down, it only ran maybe 10 secs or less. I tried starting 1 more time just to make sure what I was hearing, only for about 10 sec, and it was been sitting ever since. I guess there is no real way to determine if they are bent or not with out pulling the valve covers? If they are bent do I have to pull the head off to replace the valves?

 

YES!

bob

 

Before I pulled a head I would snake a camera in the cylinders and take a look.

The tensioners are a big job already and adding the cylinder heads to it makes it bigger yet.

If you do need to remove the heads I would consider if you want to put that much money in a worthless car?
Maybe a used engine?
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Well I have looked into the price of a used or rebuilt engine and rebuilding or buying rebuilt heads, cost for rebuilts are just about the same, if I just pull the heads my self with help from friends I could save money.

The next question is can I pull the heads with out pulling the engine? That would determine a lot.

You mentioned snaking a camera into the cylinders to see if the valves are bent? How can I do that?

 

Already answered previously.

 

Hate to recommend them but Harbor Freight has several to choose from and they are beyond useful!

Digital Inspection Camera

Start at about $70 and they now have a high resolution model for about $230 that I have not seen before. Prices have come WAY down too.


Oh sorry I forgot to answer your question. It does not matter because you can remove both engine mount bolts and jack the engine up a good bit.

Then you for sure will have enough room. I use this trick for P/S pump and A/C compressor replacements on both my S Type and my Lincoln LS
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Removing the valve covers might indicate a valve that's stuck open due it being bent.

Yes.