If I go to look at a used XK8 where there is no history available, is there a way to determine if the tensioners are original? If you call the dealer with a VIN, can they look it up and tell you? Is there a point in the VINs where jaguar used better or different tensioners? Right now I have '02 X-type but thinking of swapping for XK8 from around 99 or 2000; this is all I can afford right now. I realize I would be giving up almost any ability to carry more than one additional grown up human with me in XK8. Thank you. --Tom in Tucson

 

If there is no verifiable history the only way is to pull a cam cover and look.

You should assume the worst and negotiate accordingly.

 

If you're looking in that age bracket, by all means make a sale subject to removing both cam covers and taking a look. The last gen. are metal, the earlier ones appear orange and are definitely plastic. Also check the forum for other things to look for. I had alot of front end sloppiness that the seller said was the fat tires; turned out to be upper and lower a-arm bushings. I think it's all worthwhile, cause the car's awesome. We put the Scottie in the back and off we go. ? not as cool as my '69 XKE, but then again, what is? Good luck!

 

Thomas, I just went through the same thing this summer, trying to find an XK8 with "my" name on it. The member is right, go into the deal assuming that it will need updating, and you really can't go wrong. If you are at all mechanically inclined, you could probably take care of any number of little glitches known to exist on these cars. The big question for me wasn't so much the chain tensioners as was the transmission. Of the one's I have worked on, the transmissions typically go about 75-85k before failing. By now, most of our cars have gone beyond that. Ask for receipts! The cars are awesome. Find one with good leather and paint. The rest is just nuts and bolts. BTW, I ended up with a 2004. So, I basically "beat" the engine and trans issues by buying a newer updated XK8. But, it has its issues, also! I still love the car!

 

Thank you for these ideas. I did go look at the thing tonight; it is at a local nissan dealer. The guy started it up and the sound was completely normal and it idled totally smooth. It was cold, I had felt it first.
They do not have it ready to retail yet but I did ride as a passenger in it. It felt more like my current X type than my old XJ-S which surprised me.
The really amazing thing is the odometer reading: 67K on a 15 year old car. Even if I hold on to my humble X type for a while, it was a great first impression for me of this superlative car. One day I will have one for sure.