Dengit! I just got a call from my local repair shop. My upper timing chain tensioners are rare originals from 1997. The only solution: Replace upper and lower timing chain tensioners including guides for $2000+. At least my mechanic is happy.

 

Yes, it smarts.

Take solace from catching them in time. If one of those antique parts had let go both the bill and your mechanic's grin would have been somewhat larger

...or you could have been the proud owner of a $1000 parts car.

Glad you dodged the bullet.

M

 

20 years later and still coming across early V8's with original chain tensioners.


+1 glad it was found now, and not after it broke the chain.

 

The engine only has 52,900 miles on it. Now it should be good for another 20 years. Plus now I will definitely keep it for a while. Afterall, out of the 53 cars I owned so far, my XK8 is definitely the most refined one. My XJ-SC comes in as a close second.

 

The labor time should be around 9 hours for replacing the tensioners, guides and blades.

The parts should not cost $1000.

$2000 seems a bit high to me but I have done DOZENS of timing tensioner/guide/blade replacements.

The chains are likely OK.

I guess if I never did one and had to buy all the tools, it might include 'learning-experience' to charge more.

I always take more time to do 'the first one'.

Maybe the dealer charged that much when I worked there?? I only got paid 9 hours.

bob

 

The funny thing is the owner of the repair shop owner told me that can't do it because they don't have all the right tools. The oldest mechanic told me he can figure it out and is only missing one tool. So I will find out tomorrow whether they will actually do it. Online it looked like most of the time is spent getting to the lower tensioners. I assume all four chains can be ziptied to stay in place.

 

When doing the entire front end timing doing a timing lock down is a really nice thing to do rather than hoping that everything was perfect after 60k miles of chain wear and when you started.

What's a degree or two in cam timing?

Your only chance to get it right.

 

My advice is to go to an independent shop that specializes in Jaguars or at least has done a few. The kit to hold the crank in place and lock the cams in position is only about 50 bucks. Kind of silly to mess with the tie wraps and remove the cams when you don't have to. I believe it takes more time. If the shop doesn't have the kit, I would go elsewhere.

 

I've done 2 so far and have one more to do.i've used both lock down and zip tie method,zip tie is the winner for next time.job takes 3 to 5 hours,steve

 

Are you doing ALL the tensioners/guides/blades??

The OP wants to do ALL the tensioners, not just the uppers.

bob

 

Yes, a very important distinction. If you're doing "all" of the tensioners and guides (primary and secondary), the timing lock down tool is a must. For the "upper" tensioners, the zip tie method is ok.

 

Hi Guy's,

first I want to express my thanks to be part of this excellent forum with so much knowledge and experience gathered in one place as a new member and happy owner of an XKR 2001 cab.

second, the first thing I learned when I consider to buy the XKR is that replacing the old tensioners, both upper and lower as well as the waterpump/thermostat is a must prior to doing any other upgrades on the car.

after some research and reading on a lot of forums I asked for a quote from the local Jaguar re-seller, they wanted 4.800$ for the complete work including parts and another "recommended" company offered it for ~3000$.

so I decided to order the complete kit from a firm in UK, as the parts here in Sweden are grazy expensive from Jaguar, in total I pay 700$ for the parts (complete timing chain kit, seals and jaguar xk/xkr special tool kit) and then after some research I found a in town mechanic that can do the job for 1100$, estimated to 2 day's of work (16h). You will need the special tools and also the front pulley lock adapter if You have an xkr. The special Jaguar tools are very expensive, but You can always sell them on ebay later if You decide not the keep them.

so to sum, I pay 2400$ in total and included in that price they also replace the waterpump/thermostat and I can't get it cheaper here than that, so ~2000$ seams fair price to me.

here a pic of my parts, the job is scheduled for mid June - give You update of the result later. - happy weekend - cheers




timing chain and tensioner's, seals, waterpump, thermostat, toos, step-by-step guide

btw - someone asked for a picture's of the lower tensioner's before/after - I found these on a local forum here in Sweden




tensioners, lower, old, xkr





tensioners, lower, new, xkr

 

Excellent pictures, thanks.

 

Looks like Santa Claus came early in Sweden this year !!

 

$2000-$2500 seems like a fair price for this type of work. Poor repair shop owners need to eat too. :-)

 

Not that difficult a job. If someone is in Cal from sac to LA, I have the tools to lend.