Hello, i am in the market for a xk 5.0 and found a nice one here in the netherlands. I am a bit afraid of all the horror stories about the timing chain. The model year is 2011. Is it correct that this one should have the tsubaki chain 6.35mm? When i look in the oil filler neck opening i can see it has the 8.0mm ina chain inside. Is it a correct assumption that the car has an upgraded set of guides and chains? The mileage is 82000 miles. The car is a usa model with a carfax report with it.


Kind regards, Rolf

 

The 8.0mm chains are the later ones.

 

I would believe based on the data that your chains have been replaced.

 

Thanks for the replys. I thought it was replaced but was in doubt because of all the different posts about this subject.

 

I know about the timing chain problems on the older 4.0s and 4.2s, but not any 5.0 liter. Now the TENSIONERS may have a slight problem without good maintenance, but I've never given my chains a second thought, let alone a first thought.

 

Thats great, but i think a lot of people were not so lucky if i search here on this forum.

 

Remember though, only people with problems post fails. Better safe though, as always.

 

Rolf,

You can't rely on the CarFax to buy that 2011 XK. That's because CarFax reports only those things that it receives from it's associated dealers, and many accidents don't get reported to them. CarFax is useful when it discloses accidents, mileage inconsistency, or a "branded' title (examples: rebuilt, flood damage, total loss). You can rely on CarFax to not buy a car.

Only you can do your due diligence. I recommend you have a technician with Jaguar knowledge and experience do a Pre-Purchase Inspection (PPI) using the following checklist, which is used by American Jaguar Dealers. The actual form is a multi-page folder with space for descriptions and repair cost estimates.
In addition, I recommend a second PPI to have that XKR inspected for body/chassis/paint work by a body shop that is certified to do aluminum body and chassis repairs.

Know what you're buying. You can't tell a book by its cover.

Note that the cost of PPIs can often be recovered by negotiating a lower price to cover the cost of repairs noted by those PPIs.

Stuart

 

The 6.3mmm subaki chains and tensioners are more expensive and superior fyi,
The reason one would convert to the 8mm chains is because the parts are alot cheaper
and easier to find than the subaki parts.

The later chains was for cost savings. There's in depth explanations with pictures in the XF section of our forum.

 

No problem with 4.2 chains is there ? The engine is pretty bulletproof.

 

I'd assume the earlier 4.2 engines had the same problem as the 4.0 engines had in the XK8s. Those were rectified sometime in I think 2005 or so though. I was talking about those old ones, specifically about the XK8 problems as I had an XK8 for a few years.

 

I believe it was the 4.0 that had a host of issues (wasn't it the tensioners, not the chain) & the Nikasil liner problems. The 4.2 was fine.

 

OMG as a former owner of 2 pre 2003 XK8s I am acutely aware of timing chain issues (the 98 snapped at 60k miles turning the key in a parking lot so the engine never fired up which was "lucky" for me!!! When I got my 2001 I drove it straight to the shop and had the upper tensioners replaced.
I can't believe we're still having to deal with this in the 5.0 all these years later. It brings me to a question, I have just acquired a 2013 XKR 5.0 supercharged. I have seen years quoted for timing chain issues as only being up to 2012. Does that really mean the timing chain issue/s was solved on my 2013?

 

I've not personally heard of ANY 5.0 timing chain issues. Not many in the forum either. GDI injectors and the water pump are the ONLY issues with the 5.0 that I've heard about.

 

This is all very interesting.
Speaking from strictly experience from all the vehicles in my stable, which now have a significant number of miles on them…
”What timing chain issue”
Of course, I am adamant that the engine oil and filter gets changed every 5000 kms, the air filters every 25000, the PCV and coolant every 50,000…. you get the idea.

Cheers!