I have been looking for a timing chains and tensioners kit for my 1999 XJ8 and came across an E-bay listing by CNSAutoParts for a complete set of chains and tensioners for $99.99. This is about 1/4 of what these sets go for everywhere else. My usual reaction to this kind of thing is to stay away from it, but I'm curious if anyone here has any experience with this.

As important as these parts are, I'm looking for the best quality I can find, but I don't want to pay a dealership premium for the same parts I can get elsewhere. The question is always how to define "same".

I have bought parts from Rock Auto, for example, that cost literally 1/10 of dealer price and were actually the same parts, so the whole car parts business is pretty weird.

 

I am buying the below kit in the next 2 weeks.

It is made in Taiwan (like most of the higher end car tools), but shows up on various sites and eBay for various prices.

I know the supplier in the meantime, and will get the kit in 2-3 weeks.
Can let you know, so far I have confidence it can be used for the 6 cars we intend to do with it.

 

I know they have secondary chain and tensioners for around $99, but not with primaries. Here's the ones I got a couple years ago...
I have that same one Eric, but I think he's speaking of the primaries and secondaries.

 

Ahhhrrggg ... Too early here, and 100 bucks never let me think he talked full sets of tensioners .... my mistake.....

I am also buying a full set of tensioners / bolts / chains / seals for my friend, and even between the professional Jaguar part suppliers there are huge differences in price, worth checking.

I actually saw the eBay listings, and also scratched my head how and what.
If you see the products, it should be very well possible, as it is absolutely nothing, I tend to think they are overpriced by the part suppliers.

 

Don't forget the Lincoln LS motor takes the same kit. So after a number of years they may be simply using that kit and it may be a Chinese one?

 

There are a lot of kits out there. The problem is what recourse do you have when the parts don't fit (customer service). It is a known problem if not purchased by VIN that the primary slippers can be too long or too short depending on your model year engine.
A search of the forum will let you see what other members have encountered with the primaries.

 

This is a parts list I made when I did the job on a 2000 xk8.



Timing chain kit: for Lincoln LS
DNJ. # TK4162 $172 @ Rockauto.
Everything fits perect except in my opinion the guides are incorrect. Some members have used the guides in the kit but I didn't like the way they fit. I got the guides separately from SnG listed below. Still cheaper than buying a Jaguar kit.

Update: Motorcarman posted earlier this year about a kit he uses that cost around $100. I didn't have time to do a search but maybe you can find it.

Cam cover kit: for Lincoln LS
Fel-Pro. # VS50724R. $44 @ Partsgeek.
Doesn't come with VVT seal.

VVT seals:
2- AJ8256. $5ea @ AutohausAZ

SNG Barrett for next items.
Timing cover gaskets:
AJ83699. $16
NCA2127AC. $17(Lincoln LS different)
Chain guides:
2- NCA2025AB. $23ea
2- NCA1998AB. $33ea

From RMEUROPEAN
Crankshaft seal:
AJ83698. $10.
Total: $381.25 + any shipping charges
This is what I found that works for the best price. You can do your own research and may do better.


This from October last year so prices may be different. Search the part#'s.

 

I bought one of those $100 timing kits through Amazon. When I received it,two lower guides were already cracked. They made it as difficult as possible to return , but eventually I got a refund. As labour intensive as this job is,from now on I will use OEM.

 

I have to question your return issues....Amazon is amazingly easy to return items. You request a return and state why, they review it rather quickly, they send you a shipping label and tell you the nearest drop box. I've never had an issue with returns with Amazon.

 

Evidently there is a two tiered return system . If it comes from Amazon directly there is no problem. But this was an Amazon approved seller. After a few tries I got a return authorization. But it took a few emails to finally get a refund.

 

Perhaps there is....

 

Anybody have experience with this seller in New Jersey? Rob - this guy has all the parts on your list from one source. I'm just wondering about the quality. Price is about the same.

 

I have used them for parts and had no issues with them. At times I have seen other members reference them. Just make sure you get the correct guides. 95%of the kits I have seen have the incorrect guides for your model. The only place I have seen a kit with the correct guides was S&G Barrett and if I remember it was around $700.

 

Oh no...there are different guides. I really thought there was just one set of replacement guides that came off of the 2002/2003 engines.

So how do I know what the correct guides for my 1999 are? I mean, nobody replaces them with new original plastic guides.

If 95% of the guides you have seen are not the right ones, I would assume that at lest some people have put the incorrect guides in their engines. What are the consequences of that? How are the incorrect guides incorrect? I would think that the plastic shoes on the ends are the most important pieces, since the rest of it is basically just a tube with a spring in it and 2 mounting holes. If the shoes don't fit the chain, that's not going to work.

 

The primary timing chain guides do not have springs, the tensioners have springs.

If you're unsure about a source for purchasing the primary and secondary tensioners and associated parts, check with the forum vendors listed under the 'Marketplace' drop-down menu at the upper left of the screen.

Be sure to use the correct tools and refer to the Workshop Manual for the proper procedures and torque values.

 

Read this thread. It will show pic of the wrong and correct guides. I not sure but I think the guides these kits have are for a Lincoln LS or a 4.2L.

https://www.jaguarforums.com/forum/x...3/#post1513371

 

I have over 10k on the kit I got for mine from the post #3 link if that helps and the description specs Jaguar, not Lincoln.

 

Reading these posts with great interest. Thanks Rob Roy and everyone else for sharing your experience with renewing these pesky guides/tensioners. Seems that getting parts for these engines is quite a bit more complex than it is for my Chevys.

I started my car up today and heard an odd, fast-pitched rattling coming from under the hood. Opened the bonnet up and it sounded like a bunch of high-speed monkey typists going to town under there. Sounded like a soft lifter tick, but way too fast at idle, maybe 4X as fast as what a lifter would do. Also, I couldn't pin down where it was coming from. From the left it sounded like it was coming from the right and from the right it sounded like it was coming from the left. I was thinking timing chains, but it didn't sound louder from the front than the rear either. I was in a bit of a rush, so I drove it about 40mi. with no issues, and didn't get a chance to listen to it any more.

So maybe my interest in timing chains just became a bit more focused.

 

That is how I discovered my tensioners (and guides) had failed. If you get a engine stethoscope (harbor freight has them) and probe around, it will help you pin point the noise. I thought mine was coming from the SC initially because as you said, the noise moved as I moved.
As to your Chevy comparison, roughly stated Jag Saloon $80,000 new, Chevy $25,000.

 

Try to get Chevrolet parts in the UK!