Just wanna give the guys that figured this method out some props cuz its the way to go when you do your secondary tensioners.

My XJ8 has 192K miles on it and they were the originals still on the car and they were wore the hell out.

Tops were just metal contacting the chains and no plastic shoes or pieces were found anywhere. Taking them off was easy and I can see they were really about to go since I had big cracks down the sides of the plastic housings.

Chains were perfect condition and no slack -- started her back up and its purring great.

I can actually hear some chain noise as its running correctly lol.

If you're hearing a rattling or tapping nose guys get it done fast because I don't think I could have driven mine but a few more miles before I had no engine left!

Def worth the money!!! 160 bucks worth of parts from Christophers!

 

160 bucks worth of parts from Christophers!

Could you please post your source's contact info and list of required parts.
$160 seems too good to be true (But you did it!!)

Thank You

 

I went on ebay and got them. I did pay for shipping too so probably close to 90 for each side by time you added the shipping. Had them in two days and did the work myself. I only had to replace the tensioner itself, probably need to do gaskets at the same time while you're doing it, but mine were okay -- order these online off ebay for 100 bucks for the set and it includes spark plug gaskets too. These arent' available in Napa or Autozone.

 

Autohaus/az has the OEM upgraded secondary tensioners for $86 no shipping. Valve cover gaskets are $32 a piece. Not sure on the plug gaskets - I think they were 1.76. I did not see a kit offered though. I have this on the list of things to do soon.

 

Were they these?

JAGUAR V8 1997-2010, 2 UPPER TIMING CHAIN TENSIONERS | eBay

 

yes same ones...i paid 84.05 for each from ebay and it was from Christophers. Came in like 3 days -- took me and my dad about an hour and half to do.

 

Wow the originals lasted 192k miles? Is that a high mileage record on originals on this forum? What year is your car? Did it have the spring type tensioners?

 

Yes they were the original tensioners with 192K miles. The shoes were completely gone, it was chain on top of metal and the middles, the plastic section that houses the spring had a long crack in both sides. they were just about to go. I bought the car from a guy that had let it sit for 2 years when the fuel pump went out. I put the new tensioners in and my chains were tight and looked really good. I'm really satisfied. Engine sounds great. I have a VVT issue but hopefully after changing the oil a few times and going to a thicker heavier weight oil it will go to working right.

 

I have 215K on the original tensioners. Not that I'm going for the record or anything...just waiting to get the car in to our local Jaguar specialist as he's typically booked up a month out! While my car is there, it'll get the whole shebang...upper and lower chains and all tensioners. Already have the bits, just need him to get caught up!

 

WOW 215K! Sounds good! I thought maybe I had highest mileage on the originals haha. I'm trying to get my brakes fixed. SLCM is gone and the one i got off ebay is gone too so trying to just bypass it and be done.