Hey RJ237,
Yes, it is that car. Do you know anything about it or have any thoughts on it? I just love the way it looks. He wants a grand more than what KBB says it is worth. Where is the value of these cars going?

 

I bought my 97 xk8 with only the prior 6 years of history available. To this day I have yet to figure out if the tensioners have been done at some point. I tried calling the 3 local Jag dealerships hoping they had history in their records. Was told by Jag that there's no central database any dealer could access. Has to be the one that did the work. Even with the last 8 numbers of the VIN none of them have any recorded history. But I can give the parts department my last 6 and get every part number I ever wanted for mine. Seems strange that the car is in the computers but not in the computers. It is a local car. I can get a complete chain and tensioner kit with guides for under $150, but I'd sooner find out first instead of tearing apart the motor to find out. The dealership did quote me 6 hours labor.

 

It only needs the cam cover off to check, it's well worth the time and effort.

 

Hmm, would I be able to see the lower tensioners too? Because even if the tops are done, no way of knowing if the lowers were done at the same time.

 

It's not a difficult job to remove the covers with the driver's side probably being a tad easier. Download the appropriate svc. manual and print off the 3-4 pages for a step by step part by part description. Should take no more than about 15-20 minutes once you get started to do one side. You'll be able to see the secondary tensioners but not the lower primaries as they're buried behind timing chain cover.. Perhaps you can contact the owner who did the job to find out what tensioners he replaced.

 

I will have to see if he has or will be willing to give me the previous owners contact info.
A friend has a small bore scope. With the cover off do you think you can access the lower part of the timing chain to see if the lowers were replaced?

 

Yes you can see the lowers with a scope, and also check the chain guides for cracks. As I mentioned before, a PPI is a good idea and the cost is usually about $250.