Did all chains, tensioners and rails on my car, which had the originals still in it at 216K. Oh, Nikasil block too

Once you get some miles on them, they're as good as anything else. It's the low-mileage Nikasil engines that usually are wrecked.

 

So chances are now that any 98-200 with the 4.0 today that you would buy used.........the nikasil is a mute point........?

Its either been replaced or survived and is working and sealing? Is this fair to say>?

 

I would say so. My 98 has no blowback, doesn't use oil, and it's an original Nic with 83K. Original tensioners too (no noise), and the serviced tranny.

 

Mine is a Nikasil block, 203K miles, I did tensioners twice once at 47,000 (under warranty dealer used plastic tensioners again) and again at 90,000 my own service guy did them using the newer metal tensioners, so 110,000 miles on metal tensioners and no noise.
A little blow by and uses a little oil, but she runs great for the mileage.

 

Did the tensioners at 86k mi on my 2001 XJR.

 

How many replace them because they had to? Or because they were scared?

 

i got scared from this ticking noise i heard, so i took her apart and noticed the chains were loose

 

Pretty much so...

 

Bought her with a broken timing chain- fortunately no damage.

Had another XJ8L, replaced one and decided to wait (just a day)to replace the other side- broke while idling after first start up. Lesson learned: when in doubt, replace them. ($800/10 hour lesson)

 

I'm seriously considering a 98 XJR with 89k mi and was wondering if there is a diy write up with pics on the tensioner change.

Thanks,
David

 

Hi everyone,

I know this has been dealt with a million times, but I seem to find contradictory (or at least different) information everywhere. My XJ8 was sold new in May '02 (EU: MY2002, US: MY2003 right?) and the last VIN* digits are F44XXX, so according to many sources it should be a car fitted with steel tensioners from new.

The thing is, some people say the X308 was never fitted with metal tensioners from the plant. I called my most trusted jaguar mechanic and they told me to swap the tensioners for this reason.

Most (not all) experts in online forums says it's cool and that Jaguar stopped using the 2gen plastic tensioners in august of 2001 and switched to 3gen metal ones. This would make me safe. But it also makes me confused. To say the least.

If anyone has an answer I'd be very grateful.

(*I know I can also check the engine for exact engine build date. But the car is in storage over the winter and I do not have access to the garage.)

 

Just remove one of the cam covers-it's not a difficult job on the RH cover (the LH one is harder because the dipstick tube clamp is in the way) & doesn't take long.

 

I replaced mine last month and it went pretty smoothly. The special tools make things much easier, (the flywheel lock especially/ it's a bitch to get the crank pulley /dampener bolt off)

 

The VIN number for my car is F44XXX & it was UK registered in October 2001. However, the engine number shows it was made in late June 2001 & so it was fitted with the 2nd Gen plastic tensioners-just before the 3rd Gen metal ones were introduced in mid-August.

I've had the cam covers off mine & confirmed that the orange 2nd gen plastic tensioners were fitted-although they weren't the original set & had been renewed at some point as they're still in excellent condition & the car has 150k on it...

 

Thanks Red October,
sorry for being such a n00b: but removing the covers means I will need new gaskets right? No biggie of course...

 

If you're a perfectionist then you can fit new gaskets, but it's usually not necessary unless the old ones are damaged, cracked or leaking oil.

When I took my cam covers off, I just carefully cleaned up the old gaskets & put them back on again without any subequent problems or leaks.

 

Thank you. I love this forum.

 

Here you go: https://www.jaguarforums.com/forum/x...ics-how-52653/
Vector