I was informed after putting another engine and upgrading tensioners, after months of noises that my timing chains are bad, do I have to buy a whole kit or can I just get chains replaced? also does anyone know where I can buy a kit that's not a arm and leg?

 

Welcome to the forum Candacelovinglife Lavender,

You need to add some details.

It's a replacement engine with latest (?) generation tensioners but someone has diagnosed noises as worn timing chains. What kind of 'noises' and what has been done to determine this is from the timing chains?

The good news is you can buy chains separately!

When you get a minute, please follow this link New Member Area - Intro a MUST - Jaguar Forums - Jaguar Enthusiasts Forum to the New Member Area - Intro a MUST section and post some info about yourself and your vehicle for all members to see. In return you'll get a proper welcome and some useful advice on posting to the forum.

Graham

 

It is highly unlikely that the timing chains are worn. I saw NO wear on chains or sprockets on any of the engines I have replaced the tensioners on.

 

The noise would be from tensioners- Graham is correct. Replacing the chains themselves would be a minor part of the cost- kind of something you do while you are in there.

Start with just the upper tensioners and see if that quiets it down.

 

The secondary chains can stretch beyond the tensioner limits and 'clatter'.

I have seen engines that had the secondary tensioners fail when the plastic 'shoe' wedged in the exhaust sprocket but did NOT break the chain.

A while ago a local repair shop looking for advice called and described the problem. The tensioner was replaced but the chain 'rattled'. I told them to replace the stretched chain. The noise was gone after the secondary chain was replaced.

I always check the chain length if the tensioner fails but does NOT break the chain.

A new chain draped over a finger can be used to compare an old chain for significant 'stretch'.

If in doubt just replace the secondary chains.

The lower tensioners can fail and the curved blade will make a 'rattle' at idle.

Pull a cam cover and have a look.

bob gauff

 

Thanks this is exactly what happened I put on all new 2nd gen tensioners on the rattle kept on took it to the mechanic he said the chain was loose, he wanted me to get a whole kit but i did not see a need if its only the bottom.