Owner says it needs an engine, is otherwise a cherry condition car.

I have read through multiple threads regarding doing this work, but curious if there is anything I could do quickly and in situ to check if the valves have been bent. Will removing the valve cover reveal anything obvious?

Thanks for the help.

 

If the secondary chain broke, you can look to see if there is excessive clearance under any cam lobes. You can remove the exhaust camshaft and perform a compression test. The intake valves will still operate normally so it will give an indication of compression because the exhaust valves will seal if they are CLOSED.

If you get a ZERO or really low reading on any cylinder, then you might have BENT VALVES.

I bought a 1999 XJ8L for $500 because the left bank secondary chain broke and the customer at the Jaguar Dealer did not want to put any more money into the car.

The service advisor called me to tell me I should buy the car because it was in OTHERWISE excellent condition.

I performed all of the above tests and it was OK.

I replaced ALL the guides,chains,tensioners and the engine is still running fine after 5 years or so. (I am still driving it)

You 'pays your money and you takes your chances'.

 

If it bent a valve as was stated in the previous post, it will need an engine. If you take the exhaust cam off and no valves are bent, and the compression is good on all cylinders - Christopher's Foreign Car Parts in New Jersey sells a kit that you can change the top chains, since the primary tensioners are a different design entirely. Change the top tensioners, use the new bolts, change the chains and you're good to go. My boss has a 2000 XK8 that we did this repair on 7 years and 40,000 miles ago.