Warning, these are not for the faint hearted. If you thought only the secondary tensioners were an issue you will opt for the full change after seeing these:
If your VVT solenoids are mounted on the timing cover, then its a simple matter of poping off the 30mm (or so) diameter blanking cap on the cam covers and boroscope the chains and guides. I only started out trying sort out an oil leak but i thought while I was in there I'd take a look. Looks like a piece has already dropped off and whats left is only just hanging on.

 

Can't open the pictures.

 

+1 on not being able to view pics

 

Me neither, likely due to the file format. Try reposting them as either JPEG or PDF

 

They'll open fine in Open Office

 

They were screen dumps from a bespoke movie format, so I just pasted them onto a word document, they should open in word

 

After some messing about (in works time i might add)

 

Remind us what year and model you have.

 

Its a 1998 XK8 coupe

 

Please put that info in your signature!

 

you try and do someone a favor and all they do is moan about your signature!

 

I'm not moaning! I refuse to scroll up 8 or 10 posts to refresh my memory of what car you own and its year. Its such a simple thing, unless you try to do it on a phone rather than a lap top! 108 posts and I'm the first to request this?

 

yes you are the first, the one, the only!

 

So whats your plan.

 

Plan?
It's currently minus a radiator and front bumper. While I wait for the timing chain kit to turn up I'm taking the opportunity to decrease ,derust and Dinitrol spray the front end. in the process I've partially stripped the bottom gearbox oil cooler union and broken the bottom threaded boss on one of the headlights. The radiator fix is a M18 male to female adapter off eBay, hoping to screw it on with what threads are left and some locktite hydraulic seal should stop it leaking. Not decided what to do with the light yet

 

The bottom light fixing is not needed, both mine were gone before I purchased the car.

 

Thanks for that ,I'll just glue the bits back then. I was going to get a metal bush made, weld it to a plate then epoxy it back but I won't bother. With the adjustable bush, i thought it was something to do with alligning the beams so was a critical part?

 

Got the chains on now, just need everything tightening. I had an issue with the locking peg for the flywheel. It just wouldn't go in, not convinced that it is the correct size but after tapering it slightly it has just started but not in fully. The timing mark was half a segment retarded as well! not sure what that equates to in degrees but I had an issue prior that the car wasn't that responsive in low revs, hopefully I've just found the reason? The A bank primary chain was slack on disassembly, looks like the tensioner was stuck, it was about 3mm less extended than the B bank and I had a small amount of chain slap on overrun. Its good to find the reasons for issues