After having more work on the car this past week I looked on the battery to check the in use date. It was 01-2003.

Battery was a 72 month Interstate.

The midwest storm is bearing down and I just picked up a fresh new battery from CarQuest $159.00 It is a private label DEKA with AGM
comes with 36 month free replacement and balance is pro-rated.

Non AGM is $129.00.

Also checked the price of the tensioners for the uppers $83.95, OEM.

 

Is that cam chain tensioners? Each?

If so, I paid $53/56 at the Ford store.

 

Yes, I thought that was the cheapest Ive seen but I guess I'll check Ford.
Those were from the Lincoln LS correct.

 

Yes, Lincoln LS '02

 

It is amazing how far Ford took the Lincoln LS into the life of Jaguar. The s-Type Jag uses the LS window regulators.

We should make a post showing the relationship between the two Ford & Jaguar so that others can benefit from the lower cost and parts available.

 

Just for kicks I had the guys at car quest do a cross check between these two tensioners and they had no listing at all for the lincoln. My thought was that if Ford was selling them for $53.00, surely car quest will be less right!
But you can't price what you do not carry.

 

Back to the battery. I was ready to install this new battery and found that the venting on the supposed OEM was not as advertised. I assume. This battery vents out each end and not in the center. Car Quest is checking with DEKA to find out why. I have come up with a way to connect them but I shouldn't have to. I'll keep you posted.

 

My OEM (Jaguar dealer under warranty) battery is vented at the center top forward only.

The Ford tensioner prices above were from SilverStateFordParts.com this past Spring. No tax but the shipping was a little high (12%).

 

So was the Interstate battery I was going to replace.
We'll see what DEKA has to say. It could be because I opted for the AGM battery, Absorbed Glass Mat. Suppose to be a better battery compaired to the lead acid.

 

My wife has a AGM battery in her Miata that must be 10 years old in the 17 year old car. We do pay attention to keeping it charged but otherwise it is always there for us.

Guess it will die between now and the next time the car is cranked now that I have bragged on it.

 

Hey at least your brave enough to brag on it. I catch myself getting ready to brag on the xk and I stop just so I don't jinx myself. You know cause and effect.

 

The factory battery vents out the side, many others the center and we use an extension to hook up corectly. If you have a center vent it was changed, you need the white angle adapter for the side. Avail at any dealer techs tool box in the pile of useless crap we hoard and never need till we throw it away. Also if you keep the water up and dont run down a lead acid battery in the trunk it is not uncommon to have them live 8yrs. But once you really start hitting the 07 and newer cars battery power is extremely important for proper control module/electrical system operation. A battery that dip below 12 volts can induce all kinds of faults and problems that are solely caused from incorrect voltage...as yes the car starts fine which is like saying "what do you meen i need an alignment, my car drivers straight!"