I know that the topic "Timing Chain Tensioners" is one of the most discussed among XJ8 forums, but there is one question I still can answer to - does the 3.2 engine have a Secondary Timing Chain Tensioners? I'm asking because when I check the EPC there it says, that only 4.0 and supercharged engines have Tensioners on the Secondary Chain... for the 3.2V8 it's shown only to have Primary ones...

 

The only difference between the 4.0 and the 3.2 is displacement.

So, yes they have secondaries, what year is your car? if it's before mid August 2001, it'll require the metal updated ones.

 

My XJ8 is one of the first editions - year 1998, with VIN ending on: 836740. I'm not sure if the previous owner has already changed the tensioners as the car is at about 170'000 miles...

I'm following two bids on Internet about timing chain tensioners with part # C2A 1511 / C2A 1512 / JFB 10607B, but I'm not that this is the only thing I'll have to replace... As I see in other recent threads on the forum, people are ordering entire kits. Do I really need it?

 

Most folks only replace the secondary tensioners and the required 4 bolts. While there have been a post or two about the primary shoes cracking the secondary tensioners are the cause of many engine failures.

Most in the US now order the Ford Thunderbird/Lincoln LS tensioner part numbers as they are substantially less than the same parts with a Jaguar part number. Don't know how this will work in Bulgaria but here is the list of Ford part numbers in post 4 of this thread:

https://www.jaguarforums.com/forum/x...34/#post330655

The reference to the FelPro gasket set will not work on you AJ26 engine.