I just picked up a 1998 xk8 coupe with 110,000 miles. It seems to run great (just a few goofy issues) I don't have access to much maintenance history, but i was wondering the chances the engine could still have the plastic timing chain parts. Also, any idea what a shop should charge to pull the cover to check?

It sure is a fun car to drive, any input appreciated.

 

You should assume it still has the plastic parts unless you know otherwise. Both covers should be pulled, cars have been seen with only one side updated.

 

+1 and soon as you are already past the expected life of the old tensioners (100,000 miles) and could be living under borrowed time. A jag dealer quoted me $4k to change the tensioners but just a few hundred to look. If you can't do the job your self, find an independent.

Mark

 

I would absolutely check the tensioners, immediately. When I bought my 2002 XKR almost three years ago, a file the size of a phone book with every service ever done on the car came with it, all done at the local Jaguar dealer (San Jose, CA). Since I bought the car with 60K miles on it, I mistakenly assumed that with so many trips to the Jag dealer, and with the tensioner issue well known for years, that it had been done. Last month, with about 109,000 miles on my car, I went to start it and heard a horrendous sound as soon as I turned the ignition. Fortunately (really miraculously), the engine was spared any damage by my quick reaction and sure enough the upper tensioners and timing chain on the driver's side were both broken. Instead of a $6-7000 engine replacement job, it was a $1500 job including the upper and lower tensioners, chains, valve gaskets...on both sides. Been running fine ever since. Check the tensioners and save yourself a lot of money and headaches.

 

Welcome to the forum 53veerpass,

If the PO had the tensioners replaced, you could be almost certain it would have featured as a selling point due to the cost of the upgrade.

As other have said, don't guess. Get it checked.

When you get a minute, please follow this link New Member Area - Intro a MUST - Jaguar Forums - Jaguar Enthusiasts Forum to the New Member - Intro a MUST section and post about yourself and your vehicle for all members to see.

In return you'll get a proper welcome and some useful advice on posting to the forum.

Graham

 

Thanks to all, taking the car to the shop tomorrow for the engine inspection, plus a couple of other issues (getting a false positive on system check)

 

Got my XK8 Back from the shop today...

After 110,000 miles it did indeed have the old plastic tensioners and guides.
The Mechanic showed me the old parts and all the tensioners and guides were cracked and living on borrowed time. So new timing chains, tensioners, and guides were installed along with a new water pump and serpentine belt. I had a couple of other small things done, and $1800 later I'm very happy to drive my jag with no worries about the engine.

Again, thanks for all the great advice.

 

All that for $1800! You got a very good deal. Enjoy your XK, I love driving mine.

Mark

 

You're very lucky and very smart for having had the tensioners checked when you did, I almost learned the hard way. Now, you can drive worry free and enjoy. And the $1800 is a very good deal for what you had done and approximately what I paid about 2 months ago.

 

My 97 xk8 with 48,00 miles is in the shop right now getting them replaced. No way I was going to gamble all the way to 100,000 miles.

 

Sometimes I wish i had the extra money to have these things done by a mechanic but doing it myself is giving me a better understanding of the car.

(just re-read my post, sounds like what someone with no money would say hahaha)

 

I wish i had the Skill-set, Knowledge, and Patients to do the work myself. My mechanic confirmed it was no 'walk in the park'...

 

I`m happy to report that I have my car back from cam tensioner replacement and all is good. the tensioners were still ok, but had small cracks started. I had the tensioners replaced, new water pump with steel impeller and steel thermostat housing. I also learned that there is a heater hose that runs under the intake manifold that was getting soft so it was replaced too. All told, $1250 and happy to pay it.
I had done lots of research about the xk8 engine and did not know about that heater hose location. Coventry motors in Phoenix did the work and when I picked up the car they had it washed. Vvery pleased. Tim, the wrench, says that once the ABS module is repaired and the trans serviced that these cars are pretty bulletproof.