I bought a 2000 XJ8 last weekend and am incredibly happy because I have always wanted a Jaguar and finally found one I could afford. The car has 58,000 miles on it, runs great and is in very good condition. I am starting to feel a little uneasy though after reading all the posts here about the timing chain tensioners. From all I've read so far it seems to me that the secondary tensioners are a bigger problem and fail more frequently than the primary tensioners. I am quite mechanically adept and would have no trouble performing the repair but I wonder if it is necessary to replace both the primary and secondary tensioners, or is replacing just the secondary tensioners enough? Does anyone have any statistics about frequency of failure between primary and secondary? Are there any overall statistics about the frequency of this failure based on total vehicle production? So far I've found great info here and will continue to look here for advice from other members.

 

if you are going in there you might as well do both and when you button it up you won't have to worry anylonger with the upgraded tensioners. Don't know about the statistics but the tensioners on 4.0 motors on all Jag models eventually go. My S Type went at 67,000 miles. A loud ticking noise from the front of motor is a big giveaway.

 

Now you 've got me worried phil when did they go to 5th generation. My rebuild only happened 4 months ago[:-]

 

My guess is that most ticksare actually one/both of thesecondary chainson the rotation. I would think that a big culprit would probablybe lots of chain sag from losing/gaining too muchtension from a bunk tensioner. I'd ask the Techs.

3rd gen all-metal tensioner's for4.0L are all you need.

Check mythread about my replacement, you will see how bad it can get without actually busting.

 

Thanks to all for your replies. I have been reading a lot on the forum in the last week and am wondering if I should wait until there is a problem. I see many posts from FactoryJagTech and he says "if it aint broke, don't fix it." Will there be a definite warning that the tensioners are bad or can they fail without me knowing it? I know there has been a lot of discussion of this topic and I apologize for my naivete, but I have only had my car about a week and have no experience working on Jags.

Thanks

 

on cold mornings if you hear a rattle on start up.. then they need to get replaced.. because there failling.. if not then keep driving it.

 

Hi I sent you a E /mail about helping you with the timing chains and tenc did you get it if you have a tech thats ok I have the special tools needed to do the job that I will sell let me know if you are interested Steve

 

HI Steve,

What are you asking for the tools?

 

https://www.jaguarforums.com/m_51628/tm.htm

Check that thread, it's mine. It's the most looked at thread on this topic it appears. Should be stickied to show how bad it tensioner's can get. It is my tensioner replacment with pics. Both sets. You will see how bad it can get. DO NOT wait to do this job, or you'll be buying a new ride. (lot cheaper than fixing)

I have the tools you need, I am selling for $185 shipped, only used once. They retail $400+ at my Jag dealer, 4 easily machined tools, what a crock.

I will take paypal.com (must be verified) and money order.

 

If you read my post on "Engine replacement" you can see what happened with my car and the timing chains. The cost of replacing the engine will be about $6000 with a used engine or $8500 with a remanufactured one.

Chris.