Hang it up: you're wasting everybody's time! Job was done 60,000 miles ago; it's done. Have the timing gear examined by a competent independent with that 200 you wanted to waste . . . along with the cooling system and other top of the motor stuff that needs to be pulled to check it out.

 

As a presumably older forum member and business owner I can tell you that legal actions seldom make you feel better and will waste your time more than anything else. I'd be surprised if you can extract any damages from the seller given that the work has been done and you've incurred no loss. Small claims court is about damages and making you whole not punishing bad behavior.

"In God we trust. All others must bring data", insist on data next time you buy a car. Without evidence, negotiate the price as if the work wasn't done, assume the worst and you won't be disappointed.

Timing chain doesn't need to be replaced unless there are other problems. It's unlikely that you'd have anything but the metal secondary tensioners as replacements but it's easy for you to check.

From the sound of it you've made out ok, could be worse. Move on and enjoy your car.

 

I am ex UK and used the small claims court and won!

I would advice you to take it all the way.

If you win you will get your 200GBP back as well as an award

If you win and he will not pay you can have the bailiffs sent in.

Speak to a local solicitor he will give you some advice for no charge.

Represent yourself

have a written estimate by a local garage to do the job

Just be completely honest with the judge.

It was many years ago when I took a firm to court over an exhaust system

Good Luck!

 

Thank you.

It turns out the timing chain was done 11 years, 60k miles ago. This does not change the fact that the seller lied.
HOWEVER, I may have discredited myself as the trim level advertised online does come up as an Executive, but the seller did list in the title Sports. The issue here is I have no proof as the ad is gone and I've all archives.
I have spoken to a few solicitors and they all have mentioned I have a solid case so fingers crossed.

 

Chains were done!
End of story in any court!
Anywhere on planet earth!
Good luck.

 

Sorry dude, but are you kidding? Why you have to keep grinding that guy, you bought a car for 2k pounds? Where is the problem, thats cheap as hell. And it turns out everything was fine... now you are just looking for anything that you can use against him... go on dude.

 

The question is how reliable are the timing chains on the XJ8s? This is the main concern as it’s a 2-3k job.
He lied about them being done (first he said it was 2 years ago, then changed it to it was never done, and then it turns out it was done 11 years ago.)

He lied to secure a sale. I see no wrong in obtaining compensation over shady tactics.

 

Take the cover off, if its metal ones you good... I think you are overreacting, but if you think you are doing the right thing, go for it.

 

doesn’t seem like metal.
I tried being awfully sympathetic and rational - I rang the garage that supposedly did the job, and I even reiterated a resolution that does not mean going to court so..

 

how would you know without taking the cover off?

 

When asked WHY you are concerned about replacing timing chains (yet again) . . .

Q E D !!!

You seem to be utterly confused about what is/was an issue of early V8 plastic or plastic supported timing gear (like supports, guides and tensioner brackets) and what are, always have been, and ever will be . . . metal timing chains & sprockets. If you take that confusion to court I fear your consequences.

I now note your are spreading this across multiple threads . . . no harm other than frustration, but if you read the posts there, you will learn that 60k for metal chains and sprockets whose sole task is to rotate camshafts and perhaps one or two low impact ancillaries, is no huge undertaking provided they are well supported and lubricated. That is why Jaguar has stuck with them for 70 years, while others have gone to toothed rubber belts that need to be changed typically every 60k miles.

You must do what you feel appropriate . . . but do get clued up on what may be issues and what not, before you proceed further. I say this, not to offend, but to get back to the cars, where we all can achieve something practical and worthwhile.

In the meantime, can I suggest to the Mods that this thread has perhaps reach a point where it could safely rest.
.

 

I appreciate your response. You've given me a thing or two to think about. My knowledge is limited with mechanics.
My understanding is that plastic tensioners are prone to failure. IF the car still has the plastic tensioners, then this is still an issue as the repair for this is expensive.
This leads to the fact of the owner lying about the job being done. Therefore, the sale was based on a lie as the job is expensive, and the damages I would be claiming would be the previous seller covering the cost of this job.

HOWEVER, if it turns out the relevant plastic parts were replaced with metal ones, then it limits my argument as the metal tensioners are solid (assuming this is correct.)
This still does not change the fact that the previous owner willingly lied. Therefore, the damages I would be claiming here would be the difference in the value of the car of having the job done, vs it not being done.

So, my next step is to get the car checked by the Jag specialist and find out whether the car had themetal timing chain kit upgrade. (update - I have not gotten the car checked yet but a quick search confirms the metal upgrade was done.)

 

OK . . . To the very reasonable question posed "How would you know without taking the covers off?"
One final revelation . . . and it is revealed in pics contained in the OPs parallel thread.

Friend, you draw attention to the serpentine belt, believing it to be a timing chain !!!

No wonder you are concerned it does not look like metal . . . it's not, but then it's not a timing chain either.
I will leave you to consider my final post in your other thread, and leave others to take you back to the basics.

With respect, I do offer what I believe will be more help than legal proceedings . . ..
. . . post less and read more about these subjects
. . . use search, proceed one subject/issue at a time, master that before you move on.

Despite what you may be thinking, we are a friendly and helpful bunch, but this foray has been most frustrating . . . and for what? A $40 serpentine belt that could be due for replacement? But yes, get an experts' analysis of the internal timing gear status. Just do it!

 

You are correct, indeed.

I need to fact-check before spamming the thread with questions. As mentioned above, the tensioners are the upgraded metal parts.

I still believe everyone is a friendly bunch, you're merely providing advice so thank you.

 

Great spirit, and great reply. Really shows value of a pic up front to avoid confusion or nip it in the bud.
Beyond your timing chain concerns, do a search on serpentine belt . . . plenty to read there.

Best wishes,
Ken

 

C-A-T you be way to easy: I think I would suggest he shut the **** up and grow up. Alphabet: you bought a fairly nice car at a very cheap price, with lots of small problems which are extremely common in a 20 year old machine with 160000 miles. As you discover those, search the forum to see if they have been identified and solved before, if not, GLAD TO HELP WHENEVER I CAN. Until then, let this thread die the death it deserves.

 

Now everyone play nice.
I also have had blonde moments when it comes to my Jags.
Everyone (most everyone) wishes you nothing but the best.
You would be correct in your concerns if it had 16,000 miles and you paid 20 grand, but at a 160,000 miles and 2 grand your on your own.

 

Is your “proof” in writing and does it show that it was linked as an incentive to purchase? If so, bring to a solicitor

 

My thought, 160K and 20 yrs old, probably done somewhere around 100K and 10 yrs. But, 160K and 20 yrs, probably decent for an old Jag. I just bought a 24 yr old with 175K and I am not worried about it.

 

Is this really worth the time and energy you're putting in? If it's such a problem, just sell it. When you buy an old Jag with high mileage for a low price, there will always be problems. Unless the seller has invoices or proof, verbal claims mean nothing.