I recently bought an '01 VDP SC with 80K miles on it. Having read so much about the chain tensioners I wanted to what kind of shape mine were in or if they had been changed out and gauge how quickly I need to replace the tensioners.

I pulled the right side valve cover and everything looks very clean. The top of the valve cover is clean as are the cams and the head. As best I can see there is little wear on the tensioner on this side. I used a mirror to look below the tensioner and between the chain and the side of the tensioner.

I am wondering if the cracks in the body of the tensioner that I have seen posted are on the piston side and can not be seen in the attached photos

If your look at the mirror in some of the photos you can see the bottom and side of the tensioner as well the top

Ed

 

those are old style, replace em. while they look great and the previous owner changed oil properly for driving conditions. youre half way there. Buy new ones and shorter bolts, and change them out. Leaving them in is like driving without a seatbelt

 

They don't fail slowly!

 

Well, attached is a picture of one of my old ones. It's hard to tell from your photos, or I'm just getting more myopic. But, I agree, change 'em.

 

and here's one just about to go....a replacement engine job will run $5k...

 

mine looked like that at 192K miles. ORiginal and owners treated my Cat badly. Its a wonder they didn't fail...it just knew it was coming to a good home! Easy job -- do the zip tie method and you'll be in an out of there in an hour tops.

 

coastaljag98,

What is the zip tie method of renewing the chain tighteners?

Aleop

 

I would also like to know how to do this. If it really is that easy.......I will do it ASAP. Where do I get the replacement tensioners?


Thanks in advance for any info.

 

I hate to polute forums with double postings but saw this thread after posting in a previous one. Anyhow, I have an '01 XJR. No nikasil but most likely plastic tensioners. I absolutely love this car and plan to hold onto it for a long time. How much should a retrofit cost?. I work on my Alfas, but mainly light body and mechanical ( remove/replace). I'd like to have a pro do this so that I can sleep good at night. Any recommendations on a great tech in San Fernando Valley/los Angeles area? Thanks in advance

 

@Tirefriar - If you wrench search for 'the zip-tie method' or 'I did my own tensioners', you can be in an out in a few hours and save a bundle including the special tools.

Quotes +- $1000 inc parts.

 

Hey Tire,

I owned three Spiders- 1971, 1973 1986 Quad Loved those cars.

Definitely change them out- shouldn't take more than a couple hours with the zip tie method.

If you can change the cam timing on an Alfa, you can do the zip tie method.

 

My old man is an dyed in the wool Alfisti, he owned a rash of them when I was a youth, the 105 series after using a Lotus Cortina MK1.
Gt Juniors, 1300 GTC, 1600 1750 and 2000, a couple of 'Italian Job' Julia Super's and the best of the bunch a genuine Auto-Delta Berlina 2000. I remember some drives in that car, built to drift all four wheels

 

I am fairly new to this site and don't know what you mean "wrench search,zip-tie method" Tried entering this under search and got nothing. I thank you in advance,Trirefriar.

 

Where is the best place to buy the parts needed to change the tensioners?

BOTH my 2002 XJs need it. Even though the vin # and engine # says my XJ8 was made well after the change over, I pulled a valve cover yesterday just to check, and saw the plastic tensioners.

Other than pulling a valve cover, there is no way to be sure with a 2002.

 

I'll be crystal clear,

if you use wrenches to fix your cars, then you will be able to do this job.

To search on here for probably the most common job undertaken on this model of Jaguar, search for the following terms

'zip+tie+method'
'secondary tensioners'
'timing chain tensioners'
etc etc etc...


(posts on this forum are almost daily on secondary tensioner exchange...)

Hop this is clear and assists

 

WaterDragon,
I used sunroadfordparts.com and ordered parts for a 2001 Lincoln LS.
2W9Z6K254BA
2W9Z6K254CA
and 4 bolts W500301S300
The gasket set for the AJ27 engine is available at one of your local automotive supply stores, although Sunroad probably has them also. Get the FelPro set, I understand they are better quality. My car has the AJ26 engine, so I had to buy Jaguar gaskets.

RJ___________
97 XK8 86K mi
96 XJ6 120K mi