Just purchased my dream car. Phoenix Red 1999 XK8 convertible with 18,500 miles.
Read so many horror stories on the timing chain tensioners and possibility of plastic water pump fan impeller blades separating and lodging in the engine block causing overheating. Am I smart to replace tensioners and water pump this early in ownership? Want to keep my dream car from becoming a nightmare.

 

Both of the items you mention are known, reoccurring issues that worry you until you address them. While the car has only 18.5k miles the plastic is still 12 years old. Read all the discussions, shop around for parts, prices and technicians, but you need to address both shortly if only for your own peace of mind.

 

Gee, sounds reasonable with your comment concerning the 12 year old plastic.
I'll make it a priority to get it taken care of.
Nothing like peace of mind. Thanks.

 

The cost that results from a failed timing chain is just too high to gamble. If you get it fixed now, only the top of your engine is worked on, while it is still in the car. That is much better than having to pull the engine and completely disassemble it when the valves have knocked some holes in some pistons. I think it is better to keep your engine whole, as it came from the factory, for as long as you can. That means change the tensioners soon.

 

If you buy these cars I feel you should have the extra $$$ to fix the KNOWN issues or maybe not by them.
That said, I would go ahead and fix the issues now. The car has been sitting around, the plastic is old. I'd get the future failure fixed now. That way if you ever sell it down the road you can document to folks it is fixed. I loved emailed folks on Clist and asking them if these things have been fixed on the early year models. No one ever has had it done yet ask the sky for the car. Ha ha

 

I read some recent posts regarding the water pump impeller blades and a change to plastic that holds up better. The posts discussed the color of the impeller blades to determine if the new, improved version was in the car. Some discussions suggested the new version has a better reputation and does not break apart.

 

The Black Nylon 66 was the problem impellers. The later ones were updated and this is the TSB issued for pump info!!

bob gauff