Thinking of picking up a 2007 XJ8. I don't the answer but all of you should. Is there a problem with the timing chain or it's tensioner as there was with my 99?
I just don't know.

 

Short answer is "no", should not have tensioner problems.

The last of the X308s and I'm pretty sure all of the X350s going forward were fitted with upgraded timing gear and even an improved primary chain assembly.

 

harvest is right. timing tensioner issues were only with 308's. Thank god it is a thing of the past with 350/358's. Along with niskil.

 

Hi everyone this is my first post after buying my x350 in 2015 with 140,000 miles.
I recently had my throttle body changed at a independent jag shop because it started to fail. I've attached the codes I had prior to any work being done as well.
After dropping my car of at the shop the mechanic calls me and says " you need a new timing chain and tensioners because your car is making a noise when you start it up for a second then goes away. I explained to him that the car always made the noise since I brought it 2 years ago. He says I definitely need a throttle body also to solve the limp mode issue. The mechanic replaced the throttle body front height sensor and rear sway bar links. I payed drove the car about 5 miles stopped at a red light stepped on the gas once the light was green now the car goes into limp mode after throttle body replacement. I have the car towed back to the same shop now the mechanic is saying the timing belt is causing the limp mode. My question is could the timing chain cause the throttle body to fault. The noise I hear during start up sound more like a VVT Unit issue based of my own research recently.

 

Sadly, they do still suffer from timing chain/tensioner issues. Not very often, to be sure, but my 150k one owner from new with a full main dealer service history has just had the chains, tensioners and VVT's replaced. Not an inexpensive job by any means. Whilst doing that job I also had the valley hose replaced, always a good idea for a £20 hose when the sc is off. Anyway, runs like a dream and no noises.

 

I'd do two things:

1) start your own thread highlighting the problem instead of tagging it onto an older unrelated issue

2) find a new mechanic. This guy sounds 'special'.

 

+1 on that. Sounds very special!

 

Thanks I'll start a thread today.

 

Thank you I'll definitely get a second one before I give this guy anymore $$$

 

Was the noise from the VVT Unit or the Timing Chain?

 

That's funny.
I had never heard of a bad mechanic call that.

 

One of the tensioners was the issue. The VVT's were replaced at my request while the car was apart as a precautionary measure.