I did this 2 weekends ago. I bought the Victor Rienz gasket kit and it was complete except for the VVT solenoid seals which I also ordered...Rock Auto had everything.

I was replacing the gaskets for two reasons. 1) I just bought the car and was poking to address everything and there was a tiny oil leak in one of the covers, and 2) I wanted a look at the tensioners.

So, after pulling the covers, which is very easy and straight forward, I noted plastic tensioners....they looked like the Gen 1 version. They looked fine frm the view I had but I heard statements that you really can't be sure unless you can see the other side. I trundled off to the Ford store and bought new tensioners and bolts. Using the zip tie method..which was even easier than taking the covers off, I had the passenger side tensioner off and it was cracked on the face side. Popped in the new one and went to the drivers side. That one came out in two pieces...I suspect I was minutes from destruction! Popped in the new tensioners and buttoned it up and it ran perfectly. After two oil changes....yes, I wasted 14 quarts of oil...to try and get whatever pieces were trapped n the oil, I drove the car on vacation. A total of 2500 miles later and it shows no signs of anything untoward. I'm feeing lucky that I found it before it found me! Moral of the story: when you pull the cam covers, look closely at those tensioners. if they're plastic, just go to the store and get new ones...don't even think of taking a short cut. Mine is a 2001 and while it probably came with the plastic ones, I would have thought them changed out by now.

 

Yep. Doing mine today

 

Well, I did it but had a mishap with a coolant line that goes to the top of the radiator on US drivers side. I bumped it pulling one of the cover bolts out and the darn thing just snapped off. No local shop has it and the ******* is closed until Monday. I sure hope they sell me the connector that broke instead of the entire line.

 

I have replaced these plastic lines at least 3 times over the last 5 years (line just break up when I try to remove it from clips on valve cover).

Here is a photo I found on the internet that apparently frustrated jaguar owner replaced 2 of the plastic lines with hoses (click on image to enlarge it):



I bought 2 of these lines the last time (used 1 and have the other as a spare, just in case I need it).

The last one I purchase was from Hampton Automotive (on Ebay) for $39.35 (coolant bleeder plastic line - part# MNC4582AC ).

Price now is $37.74 with free shipping (from Columbia SC)

http://www.ebay.com/itm/JAGUAR-OEM-M...9e3611&vxp=mtr

Jim Lombardi

 

Hell, I mean heck, I think I have enough hose to make the run, and the clamps. If it were mine, I would probably have done that already. I seen them on FCP's site early this morning for about the same price.

Thanks for the info. I was a little afraid to break the tip off the radiator. God knows that I can't afford that.

 

Here is my video of the process if anyone wants to watch.

 

Many thanks to all for the great advice on XK8 valve covers and tensioners. In the middle of my project I now have a question : On the gaskets (bought from Jaguar dealer) there is a flat pad area which requires a dab of sealant, but right at the back of these pads there are two molded on rubber bits which do not want to fit into the groove on the cover. Has anyone run into this? It looks like I should carefully cut them off?
davem99

 

can you post a pic, don't cut anything yet...

 

SeanB thanks for the reply,

Attached photo, I think I did it right but cannot see the image on the post

davem99

 

I attached a photo to a new reply, what do you think? Thanks much.

 

Sorry haven't been on the forum a few days Dave - it looks like the seal tabs are for a spot of loctite ultra grey to keep it in place.