Hi all - have been viewing this forum on a regular basis - finally joined....have a '99 Topaz XJ8 - just done front brakes today - caliper seals, new discs (rotors?) and pads, sall very straight fwd. As were the lower damper bushes - they made a real difference to the ride.
Am now getting worried about tensioners & chains...am at 56k miles, and the way the economy is going here I'll have no chance to sell / change the car.
Have done loads of stuff on loads of cars / bikes & rebuilt many engines, but still like to see the pics before I start...
Has anyone found a good illustrated guide to the tensioner / chains job and where is best to buy kit of parts & tools - I'm in Northern Ireland

cheers

 

Here is a very complete article about replacing tensioners, with a lot of photographs.

http://www.jag-lovers.org/cjw/#0104a

I buy all of my parts from British Parts (http://www.motorcarsltd.com). Even though you are in Europe and this place is in the States, the exchange rate might make it worthwhile for you.

I hope this helps.

 

Thanks for that - will check out US prices - all this is for the prep asthe motor is fine at the mo. but I am concerned - seems I'm plagued with cam chain tensioners - had many Honda m/cycles in 80's and many tensioner issues...K4's, G5's CBX 6's etc
Anyway am in Dallas in a few months so may be able to even save on postage etc.
Next thing is to get special tools on the cheap or enough detail to make them!

thanks again

 

Thanks - I suspect I'll be buying a kit in August some time when I'm out in Dallas - looks as if it's about $1115 for all the stuff I need.
Can anyone confirm that the parts are same for the wee 3.2 V8 - all refs I see are for 4.0 (even UK parts suppliers) and I'm one of the poor relations with a UK spec 3.2....
I know the engine was stroked to get 4.0, but am sure they just changed the crankpin positions on the crank not the whole block (ie longer and thus longer chains etc)

cheers