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Ok, maybe I'm being paranoid, but I just read in this article about the early 4.2 V8s requiring tensioner changes. I knew this was a problem with the 4.0 engines (been there, done that with my last car, an XK8), but is it necessary to do the tensioners on the newer engines too? Please say no....
Would have thought they fixed this problem with the introduction of the new engine.
I mean if the tensioner issue has been fixed by Jag on newer cars, why worry, what else is there to do, you have an 03 with metal tensioners, relax and go in peace.
I got an 02 XJR and unfortunately had the plastic ones, replaced them and man it feels so nice to know this engine can purr without the worry of tensioners failing anymore.
I mean if the tensioner issue has been fixed by Jag on newer cars, why worry, what else is there to do, you have an 03 with metal tensioners, relax and go in peace. I got an 02 XJR and unfortunately had the plastic ones, replaced them and man it feels so nice to know this engine can purr without the worry of tensioners failing anymore.
I'm glad you confirmed this, I asked when I first purchased my 02 XJR about its tensioners and was told to quit worrying that it had the uprated tensioners because it was an 02 (which I was pretty sure could still have plastic tensioners). Your admission is all I need to know, when the old s/c comes off the valve covers are coming off too.
The newer tensioners fail too... I did a set on a 1997 XK8. It had new tensioners fitted around 2004. 12 years later they rattled badly...
12 years - yeah, I'm not worried about expecting things that might need attention after that much time, but whether or not what that article said about tensioners is even true - were they plastic or metal tensioners? I'm surprised to hear the 02 variants still had that problem, but also I'm not sure when Jaguar recognized there was a problem and issued a TSB.
I'm glad you confirmed this, I asked when I first purchased my 02 XJR about its tensioners and was told to quit worrying that it had the uprated tensioners because it was an 02 (which I was pretty sure could still have plastic tensioners). Your admission is all I need to know, when the old s/c comes off the valve covers are coming off too.
There's a cutoff date on metal tensioner a installed on 02, I remember it's August but the best way to check is the engine build no. , good luck finding that. Not the vin. So I just took off the valve cover and saw that mine still has the plastics
I have spent hours today reading threads and searching parts. I have landed on the following kit, to which I will add an aluminum thermostat housing and water pump. Please advise me; is this kit good quality, good price etc.?
Some time ago Jeff posted this asking about the quality of these aftermarket CNS brand kits. Can anyone who has used them comment on the quality of this or other e-bay kits?
I noticed that Barratt, Chris, DCR and jag-bits all supply after market parts. Any comments on the quality of these, in comparison?
Hi all. Will be doing my 1998, 78k XJR chains and tensioners whilst it's between homes and on the engine stand. Can anyone recommend the cheapest place to get a decent quality kit, please?
Why could'nt you remove the cam bearing tops so as to lift the cams up from the back and tilt them forward....remove the old tensioners and install the new ones.
If you did that and did not remove the chain from the sprokets, then no need to lock them down.......just replace the bearing caps and re-torque ....?
Yes, I pulled up the outer cam and replaced them that way. On the inner cam, wedge plastic or something inbetween the cam chain and the head so the chain wont move. On the cam you pull up, the gear has some slots. Put zip ties to hold the chain in place. Lift, change tentioners and replace. Make sure flat spots on cam are where you were when you started and wala, yo are done. I have done 3 of these engines this way so far.
Jagbits, will loan you the installation tools, free of charge if you purchase the parts from them. I personally did not use them when I did my ‘97 XK8 , BUT, if I had known about that , I would have done. It’s not any big deal to rent the kit from a Jag parts supplier, and courier them back when you’re finished with them. I would not hesitate to use the correct tools for the job. It’s a walk in the park if you choose to use them.
Jagbits, will loan you the installation tools, free of charge if you purchase the parts from them. I personally did not use them when I did my ‘97 XK8 , BUT, if I had known about that , I would have done. It’s not any big deal to rent the kit from a Jag parts supplier, and courier them back when you’re finished with them. I would not hesitate to use the correct tools for the job. It’s a walk in the park if you choose to use them.
You can buy a kit online these days for about $50, the kit is surprisingly good quality as well. I think I bought mine on Amazon after some searching. I have used the kit twice now (unfortunately). Had to replace my head gaskets shortly after replacing the primary chain tensioners.
Hi all. Will be doing my 1998, 78k XJR chains and tensioners whilst it's between homes and on the engine stand. Can anyone recommend the cheapest place to get a decent quality kit, please?
Hi!
I just got a quote from the only Jag dealer in Atlanta for the tensioner repair and water pump replacement - over $5400.00 (US) !!!
Is the dealer version made of Platinum or Titanium?
Seems beyond steep. How many hours labour are they quoting? Just looked back at the writeup I did when I did mine many moons ago. I'm not current on parts, mine cost USD 535 but I think today they should still be well under $1000???
Below is pasted from my writeup
"The total job took about 13 hours to complete which exceeded the shop time by a few hours. Most difficult was getting the harmonic balancer off. It took a couple of hours as the puller I used was fairly long which made getting it on straight in the space tricky. In all, 10 hours were spent removing and replacing components necessary to access the tensioners and rails.
I built a couple of cheap & cheerful tools for the camshaft sprocket removal based on pictures of of the Jag tools shown in AllData & using measurements I took from the engine. Time to create them was about an hour (included in the 13 hour total time) & they worked fine.
The tools I made to complete the change. Cheap & Cheerful and worked.
06-18-2016, 02:16 PM
