A quick question with specific reference to my newly-acquired Jaguar X308 4.0 Ltr XJ8. It has VIN F434XX.

It was first registered in Japan in 2002/3.
Is there a possibility it has the metallic tensioners? I dread to mess with the CAM timing but I have already bought the 3rd gen. tensioners for the Lincoln LS Base to go in just in case.

I have thought of purchasing and using a borescope to establish if one side has the metallic tensioner but have not found anyone who used that approach.

May you wonderful souls let me know if these units came with the metallic tensioners? Mine has about 57100 miles on it now.

Thanks in advance.

 

You can't go by the vin to answer this question, the engine number is the only way. Locate it on the top of the block to the left of the thermostat tower, way down deep. You have to crawl on top of the engine and use a flashlight.
Serial numbers after 0108130000 will likely have metal, but the best way to be certain is to remove a valve cover.
The boroscope method was tried by a couple of members, but they were unable to get to the tensioners.

 

Thanks RJ
Lemme try that!