I have read the TSB in the sticky section to help determine if my 2002 XK8 convertible, 4.0 was delivered with plastic or metal tensioners. I have owned the car for 3 months, it has 63,000 miles on it and it is behaving flawlessly, but I would like to know if this is a preventive issue I should address.

The car is in Florida, I am in Colorado for the next month or so. I know the VIN, SAJDA42C42NA27130, but I do not know the engine number, which the TSB uses as a reference.

So my question; Is there a way I can determine the engine number that was installed at assembly, using the VIN, to determine the type of tensioner installed?

 

If the engine has been changed (presumably unknown to you) then probably not. However, let's say it's the original engine and in that case I think a dealer can look up what was fitted (e.g. on my somewhat later and different jag they printed out a detailed build sheet and that has the number).

In all cases the engine data is on the actual engine and will tell you whether it has revised tensioners.

 

According to ETIS, your car's build date was 26.11.2001, so the engine date will be some time prior to then.. Changeover to metal was around mid-August 2001, so you should be OK if it's the original motor.

Probably not much help to you atm, but this thread shows where the number is located (two places):
https://www.jaguarforums.com/forum/x...0/#post1456261


Mike

 

I think that build date is too close. Engines were sometimes in inventory for several months according to some posts I read in the past.

I also wouldn't risk it if the engine date is close to the august change; it's just not that difficult to pull the passenger side cover and look when you have the opportunity.

 

Thank you for your replies. I agree that the best solution is to pull the cover and look when I am back standing over the car. RJ237's comment about the inventorying of engines is enough to give one pause. Thanks again for your help.