2000 S type V8

Dear Jag enthusiasts,

I am planning on replacing upper timing chain tensioners with 3rd generation ones next week. I do not think anyone has worked on my car's engine before and I heard the red plastic tensioners are known to break.

I looked at the engine and there is very tight space to open valve cover nuts and on the driver side you have the fuel line that comes on top of the valve cover.

Anyone can give me a DIY with pictures to open valve cover with ease and any tips to remove the tensioners without jaguar valve holding tools.

 

Go over to the XK8 forum and under the DIY in the top section. Scroll down until you run across tensioners and you will see a third choice of zip tie method, very good write up with pictures.


Wayne

 

I hope you are a very good home mechanic as this is a tough job with special tools needed. Please don't tell me you don't have the shop manual and plan on winging the repair!

Unless you plan on getting rid of the car it's false economy to change just the upper tensioners.

You need to do the entire repair. All tensioners and chains too. We have Abonano on this forum who is one of very few DIY guys that have done this successfully.

Hopefully he will respond with better information!
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I fully agree with tbird6 - do.not attempt this without having JTIS and Jaguar specific timing tools.

Changing only the secondary tensioners is borrowed time and may push the primaries and/or chains/guides to the after life.

Good Luck...

 

I did the upper tensioners without a manual on my 2002 Lincoln LS a few years ago but I have sold that car and I kinda winged it. I do have the jaguar manual.

I have never approached the front tensioners before so I am a little scared to do them. i can for sure work my way through the secondary tensioners as I have heard if they break the chains can slip damage the valves.

Do you still recommend the front chain tensioners as well?