Tensioners - Are all created equal?
 

I am replacing the tensioners on my `99 XJ8 with 29,000 miles. The Jaguar OEM tensioner kit is $700 and aftermarket kits are about $100. Question is - are all tensioners created equal? Should I invest in Jaguar OEM kit or will an aftermarket kit suffice.

Also, I have already replaced the water pump with an updated pump, thermostat /housing and serpentine, so all I need is the tenisioners, right? Can't imagine that with only 29,000 miles that I need to replace the chains.

Any help is much appreciated.

I don't think chain failure is very common. But you should change the chain guides, and while you have the front cover off, why not do the whole job? The Lincoln LS tensioners are the same part, so you don't need OEM.

I'm sure others will offer suggestions as to the best price and source of the parts.

Age is as severe on the plastic tensioners as mileage is, so if your 1999 XJ8 has its original tensioners, they are due for replacement despite its wonderfully low use.

I have no experience with the $100 items so cannot comment on their quality, but I bought my tensioner kit from Christopher's Foreign Car Parts and would recommend their service and products. The kit contains everything you need to complete the job, all seals, all gaskets, guides, tensioners, and chains.

https://christophersforeigncarparts....ing-in-one-box

+1 Christopher's kit.

I bought one of the low price kits and when I received it the guides were already cracked. At one time there were excellent quality kits that were made in Japan that were about $350. I'm about to install a kit in my 2001 XK8.

+1 for Christopher's foreign car parts - I installed one of their kits a few years ago on an XJ8 and was happy with everything. I did the whole job, upper & lower tensioners, guides and chains. No complaints.

Thank you to all for the responses and advice. After my mechanic told me that the Jaguar OE tensioner kit was $700 (?!) - complete kit with all seals and gaskets - I started shopping around for tensioner kits hoping to learn something about quality - OE vs. aftermarket tensioner kits. Lots of kits out there. As RJ mentioned, they are the same as the Lincoln LS tensioners, so why buy expensive Jaguar parts?

In my research, I found a tensioner kit listed on line from Vintage Imports Inc. - Foreign Car Parts in Ohio. I asked about the quality and Matt provided the following information:

You might already know this information but if you don't it might be helpful. The original tensioners Jaguar used were made of plastic. After the engine is broken in the timing chains start to slightly stretch. This causes something called "chain slap" which is were the slightly stretched chain slaps against the plastic tensioners and causes them to break. Jaguar has done 4 updates and finally decided to use a new design developed by the company in Japan. If you mechanic feels not all the gaskets are required we are happy to sell the gaskets individually. One other options I would suggest offering to your mechanic and that would be using upper timing chains with master links which allows a faster installation process. The price is the same. If you have any further questions we are happy to assist. We have one employee that specializes in these kits and know everything about the product.

The beauty of our kits is that they are made by Tushibaki Motors in Japan which is the OE supplier to Jaguar. So they do not come in Jaguar boxes, but the quality is top notch. There are tons of timing kits on the market made in China which are as cheap as a trip to McDonalds for the family. I would avoid them because of the quality. People forget how important quality is when it comes to such a critical part of the vehicle. If you have any further questions please let me know. Matt

Jaguar XJ8 XK8 XJR XKR Vanden Plas & S Type Timing Chain & Tensioner Kit
Price: $199.98

vintage imports inc foreign carparts

Located: Carlisle, OH, United States

Vintage Imports Inc. also has the complete kit with all seals and gaskets (see below). Not sure of the extra labor / cost to install the complete kit vs. the partial, but I will find out from my mechanic (valve cover gaskets seem like a good idea). If not a lot more time and money I will do a complete install. But, with only 29,000 miles not sure if it is needed (while your in there... type of thing).

This kit includes the items listed in the details section. It does not include any gaskets or seals. We do offer a complete kit with all associated seals and gaskets. This would include left and right valve cover gaskets, upper and lower timing cover seals, crank seal, valve cover isolators, VVT half cut seals. The total is $299.98

Well when I went on Vintage Imports web site and I clicked on the chain - tensioner kit it took me to their Ebay sale site and when you scroll down it says country of origin of the kit to be Turkey.

Here is Christopher's ebay item 370288665496

Christophers ebay
 

Went to christophers ebay, but kits are for 2002 and later. I'll check to see if there are parts kits for 1999 XJ8. I like the "almost all genuine Jaguar OE."

Thanks for looking. Ill check Turkey parts. Not a lot of confidence in parts from Turkey (or China.).

Christophers supply kits for all years and types of the X308. The '97-'98 A26 engine, the '99-2001/2 A27 engine, and the later '02-'03 and on with the later multi-row chain design. I listed a link to the 1999 set in my original post, but here are links to the kits for the various years..........

https://christophersforeigncarparts....ing-in-one-box

https://christophersforeigncarparts....ing-in-one-box

https://christophersforeigncarparts....in-kit-htk-201

Sorry my mistake by not checking application year

where did you get the tools to lock the cams?

The kits are available on Amazon and/or eBay for round $40 bucks.


https://www.ebay.com/itm/33372562376...cAAOSwZypgE8ze

You only need ONE cam lock tool as the banks are timed separately.

You can use TWO but not required.