I thought I had a deal on a nice low mileage car, but the seller was stuck at a high market price and the car had an inoperative roof and no proof of a timing chain update, so back to the drawing board.

So, I am looking at a very clean 1999 with about 98k miles, and I found a tag in the engine bay which says timing belt serviced with a 2012 date... I have to assume that this means the tensioners were done, but the seller cannot guarantee it.. Take a look at attached photo... wouldn't you think that a service center who went to the trouble to put this tag in the engine bay would be referring to the tensioners---even though it refers to a non existent timing belt??

 

Not sure I would put much faith in that. Could be someone got charged for replacing something that wasn't there, not the first time that has happened. Could just have been the Serpentine belt.

Wayne

 

It says timing BELT. Seems to me a car company as Jag would put timing Chain.

 

The only way to know for sure is to pull one of the cam covers (right side is easier) and take a look. It should only take 30 - 45 minutes or so and you may have to replace the gasket if it's damaged in the disassembly process, but it will provide you peace of mind.
I hope it's got the metal body tensioners.