I have a 1992 xj6 Sovereign. My timing chain tensioner gasket has been leaking oil and needed to be replaced. I decided to replace the tensioner as well since the current one may be original but has at least 70k on it since I've owned it (165k total miles). When the new tensioner arrived, it was in pieces in the bag. Internally, all the pieces look the same as the original but there is an extra piece and I'm not sure where that goes. Does anyone know how this is assembled? I didn't see anything in the TSB

 

I found these online from another search. Are the upper and lower tensioners essentially the same? I almost feel like this kit has an end piece that can allow this to be used in the top or


bottom (interchangeable but not to be used together)?

 

From the way the disc is placed in the upper picture, I would assume that it sits on top of the spring nearest where it is located. This also since it appears that there is no disc already in that end of the spring therefore making it most likely a revision. Another assumption is that the pictures are not to scale and that the parts are actually the same size. As long as they are, then I think the biggest consideration might be the springs' rate. Does it compress the same at a given pressure. Im sure there are guys here who know this stuff..... My 2 cents...

 

I have two different pieces that seem to fit in that end of the spring. You can see one of them in the spring and the other on the bench in the original picture. I think we are on the same page - do you think that the kit came with one of each so it could be used as an upper or lower tensioner? Meaning I would use one of the parts and place the tensioner in the top or bottom accordingly?

 

If you havent already, I suggest consulting the Jaguar heritage parts site (parts.jaguarlandroverclassic.com) . I doubt that it will show a breakdown of it since I imagine it is a part in itself, but you can see if it lists 2 different part numbers for the 2 tensioners and it there are revisions , and if so find which one is which , etc.. You can then google the part numbers to see what other listings say about it to draw possibly more informed conclusions than mine.
It would be difficult so say for sure if the disc is needed with the new, but ***If it was me**** I would install new parts in combination with whatever is needed to make up what originally came out. First though, take a measurement of length of assembled original vs. new, and vs. new with extra disc, and aim at the originals' length in your unit to install. Your original parts dont look too badly worn, and I doubt that the disc would be a major wear spot (compare there too...) so swapping that one item into it shouldn't do damage unless it is now extra. Clear as mud?
Dont forget to go enjoy it when youre done.

 

Sorry I had to go out of town for work but I did more research while I was gone and found that this tensioner I received could be used with either piece. I rebuilt it to match the existing unit I pulled from the engine and put everything back together. The car fired up with no issues. Thanks for the help and suggestions.