Hello everyone,

I've just pulled the cam covers off today to inspect the timing chain system & have discovered the following:

- Primary chain guides are cracked & therefore need replacing
- Secondaries are perfect & look as though theyve been done already with upgraded ones.

Ive checked out all the how-to's i can find so far & they all involve complete replacement. So my question is, am I able to replace JUST the primary guides & tensioners without all the other work involving locking the cams, removing the chains, removing the VVT components, etc? (So in other words, simply take timing cover off, replace primary guides & tensioners, put timing cover back on)

From what I can tell it can be done, but thought I'd get another opinion.

 

Yes, it is fairly simple. See attached extract from the Workshop Manual.

 

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I find it hard to believe that someone replaced the secondary (lower) tensioners, and not the primary (upper) tensioners. But if you already have the timing cover off, I would replace both secondary and primary tensioners, and all 4 chains regardless.

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Maybe ive misinterpreted the definitions of primary & secondary. The ones for the exhaust cam have been done with upgraded ones & appear to be in perfect condition. But the guides for the chains driven off the crankshaft appear cracked. And out of curiousity, why would the chains themselves need replacing?
I would otherwise agree with replacing all components, but the cam locking tools are absurdly expensive to buy, so if I can avoid the need for them by only doing the forementioned then I will.

 

Not really: https://www.ebay.com/itm/Jaguar-Land...kAAOSw~jpZvAui

 

Replace the primary timing chains, guides and tensioners as the guides break and fall into the sump.

Use the proper tools and procedures as outlined here:

http://jagrepair.com/images/AutoRepa...Code%20168.pdf

Note page 74 regarding the proper camshaft timing.