I have a early XK8 in for some acident damage repair work, noticed a bit of a noise from the righthand bank, the owner did mention he had a slight oil leak, figuring I had to sort that anyway I will take a look...

Oil leak was just a couple of loose bolts on the corner of the cam cover but the knocking..... Ooooooh dear what a mess



That is the closest I have seen before implosion!! The tensioner piston is actually seperated from the body, what is left of it, the chain has been running for quite a while on the slipper at odd angles by the grooves worn into it, so very very close.....

 

The owner must do several good deeds a day to get away with that.
Next time they're having a drink with the Good Luck Fairy will they ask her to call by sometime please?