Ok - SO I have been worried about my plastic tensioners disintegrating while I am blasting through the mountains in some remote part of my area (I do this alot) so today I went down the mountain to a well respected Auto Repair facility that specializes in "FAREN" cars.
They have 5 service bays..in each was an exotic, speciality car and as I walked in a 69 XKE having engine work done caught my eye. The owner of the shop spent an hour with me going over all that needed to be done to change the tensioners....gaskets - bolts....the whole deal. I didn't feel like I was being sold as much as I felt he was just very detailed and comprehensive.

There was about $1,100 in parts and about 2k in labor for the job with a total estimate of $3,300.
For the work needed, it doesn't seem to be an exorbitant price to me but it does represent 40% of the car's value. I am not concerned about that as I plan to keep the car and I consider it a comfortable and stylish casket for me to be buried in someday.

That is if the wife does not do a switcheroo at the last minute and throws my body in an old Yugo!

This is in very far Northern California and the nearest Jaguar dealer/repair is 4 hours away.

Any comments or suggestions?

PS: I would no sooner attempt this as a DYI project than I would performing my own brain surgery...just saying.....

 

Way too much money for the parts. Secondary tensioners are around $75 a piece. I had mine replaced at a Jags mechanics for $1150 total cost. Shop around I say...

 

Agreed on way too much. Surly there is another indy between this one and the dealer. The $3300 is even more than I would expect from a dealer.

Here are ALL the parts in a box for $384. Jaguar s Type XJR XJ8 XKR XK8 Engine Timing Chain Kit with Tensioners | eBay

Add another $150 for gaskets and you are done.

Jaguar V8 4 0L 1997 98 Valve Cover Gasket Kit | eBay

Figure 8 hours labor, $100 each at an indy.

 

If he was quoting both primary and secondary tensioners, guides and chains that would be a reasonable price. But the parts cost for just the secondaries, bolts and gaskets is under $300 for a 97, and that is all you really need.
If the primaries begin to fail the rattle of the chain will be noticeable, but will not result in catastrophic engine failure.
Changing the secondaries using the zip tie method is really easy, and if you are going to own a XK8 and do not have a reasonable shop nearby, you may find it necessary to start doing some of the maintenance and repair work.

 

It's not brain surgery Bradstuff. Many of us with little or no experience have swapped out our secondary tensioners. I got all the parts, tensioners, bolts, gaskets, from SNG Barratt for about $300 It took me an entire weekend but mostly because I dropped a cam cover bolt in the engine compartment and it too me hours to find it. (it was under the intake manifold) Personally I couldn't afford to keep the Jag if I had to pay those prices for repairs. If you decide to give it a try there are hundreds of guys here that have done it before you that can give help and advise.

 

Sounds off-the-wall high to me. I have an excellent indie Jag mechanic and, for just about the same price as you were quoted got primary and secondary tensioners and chains replace, new water pump, new thermostat housing, belt, assorted hoses and the transmission valve body replaced (which I supplied). And his labor rate is $ 100/hour. Definitely shop around, even if you have to drive a bit.

 

I have a quote for all chains, guides, water pump, alum thermostat housing ( I will supply this part) @ $ 1,600 parts and labor. I felt that was fair. Work is being done by a Jag tech with a good deal of peace of mind.

 

If the labor quote was anything more than 9 hours then the quote is TOO HIGH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Chains, Guides, Tensioners (ALL components) should not take longer than 9 hours UNLESS the car is really rusted/corroded or the damper is damaged.
The damper bolt can be trouble at times but I've never had one beat me yet.

The gaskets/seals can add up but your estimate still seems high. $3300 comes closer to a complete valve job than a chain/tensioner repair.

Just my opinion.

bob gauff

 

Motorcarman has done a significant amount of work on my 2002 XKR and you can take what he says to the bank.


Mark

 

you got a buddy nearby that does his own work? I can send you some specialized tools you will need or even drop them off. I'm retired now and we would enjoy a car ride.

i did all chains, ramps, tensioners, water pump etc while I was in there.

 

when I had my 97 done, all of the timing chain bs was fixed, new water pump, a pulley tensioner, plugs and wires for 3300.

 

From what I have read about the parts and the work entailed, I think you could offer some of the guys here an expenses paid holiday to come over and do the job (and a little sight seeing) and still have plenty of change left over.