I know there are no real timing marks on the 2000 XJ cars with 4.0 Liter V8 engine. I have read that the flat spots on the cams have to be "even" when at 12 o clock to be "in time" Or would it be that the 2 flat spots should fit in the groove of the cam hold down tool? I am suspecting a timing issue with my 2000 VDP with only 40k miles on it. The cam sensor code P0341 comes on immediately after startup, if I clear it, it comes right back. Sensor is new. I know there's a tool kit which has the crank hold down, the cam hold down and other tools. What I need to know is what is the easiest way to tell if the engine is "in time" both banks. Since you Gentlemen are very well versed in this fine automobile i thought i'd ask
Thanks in advance!
Dan

 

the timing tools are the most conclusive way to check. I bought my set for roughly $40 on amazon and it works fine.

You could attempt to wing it with a straight edge, but its not ideal.

 

Flat camshafts on both side
​​​​​​Then the mark on the flywheel must be showing

 

NEVER turn the crank backwards. If you miss tdc, just go all the way around. The tensioners are only meant to tension in one direction. Turning it backwards will cause it to skip time. Ask me how I know : |

 

Just download my copy of the Jaguar Engine Course 168.pdf on the internet.
I had it copied to .pdf from my paper document issued by Jaguar when you attended the training sessions.
It is a revised version of the Training Course 180 that was V8 engine ONLY.

The version 168 also has the V6 engine in addition to the V8.
It is ALL OVER THE INTERNET and found everywhere.

 

Thanks for the tip! I found the file and downloaded it! How crucial is it to replace the tensioner/guides on the primary chain side? My Jaguar specialist says it's ONLY the secondary chain tensioners that need replacing, the primary ones never go bad?? I have a 2000 VDP with 40,800 miles on it

 

Which brand of timing kit is a good quality one? Any links to where I can purchase?

 

ALL tensioners prior to the engine upgrade are mostly plastic and even the PRIMARY guides need to be replaced!

 

that is what I thought too!! How odd for a Jaguar "specialist" to say something like that!!!!! You don't just do a half *** job. you do a complete job or NOT at all!

Any recommendations of a good quality timing chain/guide/tensioner kit??? something that is of good quality and won't fail.

 

My primary tensioners and guides came out in pieces when I did the job on my car, with pieces and chunks in the oil pan too. They most definitely go bad. I agree with those above who said to replace all tensioners and guides at the same time. I bought my kit from Christopher's Foreign Car Parts. I was satisfied with the quality of the kit in general.

 

No job worth doing is worth doing half way.