Ok so I admit it, I'm afraid to drive my XKR, I hear timing chain slap on the drivers side, and am pretty certain the tensioners have gone. I don't have the ***** to do it myself. There I said it outloud :P

Anyone in Northern Virginia have time to assist at some point in the near future? Although my garage looks like crap and I have no idea where any of my tools are let alone the parts needed. I'll order those soon, but I'll provide a nice dinner, good conversation, & compensation for your time. Or maybe just proper encouragement is all I need?

I want her back on the road, she looks bored.

 

What is the build date of your car (on the driver door jamb) ? Lots of 2002s already have the upgraded secondary tensioners.

Is the noise just at start-up or always there?

 

I don't remember when it was, I could check when I get home, but I think it's before the upgrade.

The noise is pretty much always there. Sometimes it quiets down after a little while, others it gets louder, it could be due to the cold weather recently. I'm pretty certain it's chain slap though. She's got about 60k on her.

 

Good news, apparently I'm an idiot and just needed to change my oil, it was only 2000 since it's last one, but it was a year ago... ahem... *embarrased*

 

So as it turns out, I finally got around to looking at it, turns out it wasn't an issue with the tensioners, it was the power steering pump pulley knocking around, after torqueing down the bolts, the knocking noise went completely away, and for good!

 

Hey, what is the actual build date for a 2002 that should have the new tensioners. If I remember, mine is later 2002 engine build.

 

I have read on the forum that the date was from August 13, 2001 forward.

However, that refers to the engine build date. You must look on the engine block and decode the number there to get the correct date and time. The date on the door jamb below the B-pillar should not be used as it is the overall car's build date and could have an earlier engine installed.

When i doubt, pull the covers and take a look.