Hi All,

I am looking forward to joining the ranks of Jag owners soon. Our preference seems to lean toward the 98-03 XJ8 VDP.

Fortunately, I looked on this forum before jumping in. Otherwise, I my have not learned of the tensioner issue until it was too late.

Even with all the info here, I still have a few questions.

I understand the problem started in 1998 with the V8 engine. Also that the tensioners have been redesigned several times between 98-03.

My question is this: Can I expect that a car built in 2001 or 2002 would have the upgraded tensioners in it from the factory? I know some of the revised parts failed also, but would a 2001-02 have better tensioners than a 98-99 model?

Also, I have been looking at a 1999 XJ8 VDP which only has 53K on it. The car has been sitting, garaged, for the past year, but seems to run and drive OK. Is this engined doomed to fail at some point, or does it make any difference how the car has been used? In other words, can an early V8 that was driven lightly be expected to last longer than one that was driven hard?

Are there any cases known where these early V8's have survived without the tensioners being changed?

Any help would be appreciated. Need to make a decision on the 99 soon.

Thanks,

Leo

 

Assume all models require secondary tensioner replacement. High milage vehicles (100,000+) certainly do, as well as chain and primary tensioner replacement, and would be on my list of to-do's on a purchased vehicle. Nikasil lined aluminum cylinders from the 90's can be a problem on vehicles that have been forever short tripped, never reaching full operating temps. A compression test will be your test of choice. The issue that caused this problem, (fuel) is pretty much not an issue these days.

I would not be hesitant to purchase any of the XJ8's as long as compression was good, and in good running order. However, my first thing when it got home would be to do a secondary tensioner replacement, and first heavy maintenance would include a chain replacement if 100,000+ miles.

 

XJ8s built after August 2001(MY 2002) have the new metal tensioners and a Morse style primary chains.
However, my OPINION is that if you are to buy and keep a 10 year old car on the road, you had better plan on doing most repairs yourself. And changing the tensioners, while not a good beginner's project, is wellwithing what a good shadetree mechanic can handle. If you are scared of it, you probably should get help from somebody.

 

Thank you both for responding. I apologize for not getting back on sooner.

Are there any symptoms that would indicate low compression, other than the obvious ones? The car I'm looking at seems to idle quietly and smooth. The only thing I was concerned about was it seemed more like a 6 cylinder than a V-8 when I drove it.

No hesitation or sputtering, just didn't seem as responsive as I expected.

What should compression be in a car with 53K on it?

Thanks

 

Well, there are various types of compression tests, but the simplest one is the dry test where you remove all the plugs and use a screw in tester into the plug holes. Dry, a cylinder should produce better than 100lbs. A leak down test which is much the same, but uses a special tool that allows air pressure to be applied inside the cylinder and a percentage of leakage is read of how much air is passing by the rings, should be 20% or less.

Remember, the inline 6 had the same displacement as the V8 for many years, and both had roughly the same power/torque ratings.

 

Concern - Sound heard when starting engine after 2 days of sitting, sounds like a rattle in the front of engine goes for less that 1 second then sounds fine ( timing chain, tensioner ?) it is not the tick of a lifter sound. 27,000 miles 1999 xj8 What should I do is this the tensioner problem. Point me in the right direction.

 

Very well could be-
You will need to plan on doing the upper tensioners anyway, if there is not good evidence they are changed, so just factor that in the price you are willing to pay

 

xj8 should run with allot of power. exhaust could be crimped, air filter could be clogged, gas could be bad - that could reduce performance up to 20%. im with the rest of the guys the sound you describe sounds like it could be a tensioner prob. you can always go with an 04-06. ive got a friend in seattle WA that has a black on black 2003 xj8-s for sale 14k i think its got 40-50k she is the 2nd owner