Hi I'm doing the new upgrade timming chain kit on my jag xj8 v8 4.0 2001.I have noticed that when I have fitted the top tensioner they fit the opposite way round to each other.so the one on the drivers side the part that moves out points down and on the passenger side one the part that moves out points up.opposite way round to each other.they can't fit the other way as it won't let you .as you have the oil feed hole.has any one else had this is it right.are the top tensioner left and right handed or don't it matter which one goes which side.

 

You're describing their positioning correctly. Bank A tensioner (driver's side for right-hand drive) pushes down on the secondary chain, while bank B tensioner pushes up. Seems strange, but that's how they go.

 

+1 that is the way the sit. Did you remember to buy new shorter bolts to go with the new tensioners?

 

You are correct


Are you doing just secondary or the whole job ( primaries, guides, chains ) ?

 

Hi yes I'm am doing the whole job all chains and tensioner are all on.just have to put it all back together. I did not get supplied and replacement bolts.so I fitted 2 small flat washers on each bolt so the bolt pulls down tight. I do have some small play in the small chain on bank 1 but have phoned jaguar to check if this is normal they said yes.they said the oil pressure will take up the play.thanks guys for the quick reply .this site is superb .the UK one no one seems to know anything and don't reply they u guys on this site

 

Good stuff.


Yes, there will be a little slack on the side with the curved guide, but once you start the engine, the oil pressure supplied to tensioner will take it up.


Remember to remove the metal plates that were behind the old plastic primary tensioners, don't need those with the new metal ones.


Double check you've torqued everything before putting timing cover on - and don't forget to remove the lock pin from flywheel before starting, make one hell of a noise and mess.

 

You have to consider the way the engine rotates. The crank will pull clockwise. Obviously. So force is always put on the chains in a clockwise pattern. As the A (right) side bank has the chain pulling 'from the right side', the chain has slack underneath, hence the tensioner working downwards. On the B (left) side, it pull 'from beneath', so the slack would be above, so the tensioner works upwards to reduced the slack. Hard to explain without a drawing but yeah...