A friend is looking at a '97 xk8. I cautioned him to factor timing chain tensioner replacement into the offer absent any concrete proof the tensioners had been replaced with the latest generation tensioner. Can someone tell me what the cost at a typical shop is to replace the tensioners and, if possible, what the cost of replacing/repairing the VVT is. My shop, which did not have a receipt handy to tell me what they last charged, said the VVT ought to be gone over/replaced if one is doing the tensioners.

Thanks in advance.

EliotB, Annandale, VA. '97 xj6L

 

The tensioners on my XJR ran $850 out the door, professionally installed. XJR does not have VVT, so there may be a bit of difference in the price. Anything over a $1000 on the tensioners swap is high.

You can save yourself quite a bit of money by doing this yourself. This topic was well addressed in the X308 section.