I took everyones advice and upgraded the primary and secondary tensioners and the water pump / cooling system on the 98 KK8 I purchased recently. Expensive? Very, but now I've got an XK8 that I won't worry about self destructing and it's probably worth more than what I paid for it.

 

What were the condition of the secondary tensioners? Cracks? Slippers intact? Did they have exposed springs (2nd generation, indicating prior replacement)?

How about the primary ones?

I am asking for future reference for others.

 

Both secondary tensioners were the original first generation. Both had minor cracks. Slippers were intact and springs not exposed. The primary ones were ok but since the engine was apart, I decided to replace them also.

98 XK8 with 54000 miles.

 

I'm currently at that "Tensioner" crossroad now. If you don't mind me asking, what was the cost for the changeover? Did you upgrade the water pump to the metal prop.? I appreciate any information yourself or others can provide.

1998 XK8 with 64,000

 

I was in a slightly different position than most in that I bought an XK8 in need of an engine and gearbox due to head gasket failure and the stupidity of the previous owner who had the car valeted monthly but never serviced it and drove it to destruction.

I changed everything as it would have been daft not to with the new engine on the bench, the engine that went in was fitted with the 2nd generation tensioners which were showing small cracks in them.

I really can't see why it's such an expensive job, it all comes apart fairly easily with the correct tools and is pretty straight forward to put back together.

I suppose the questions are, can you afford to have them changed and do you intend to keep the car,it may be cheaper to buy the tool kit yourself and find a competent mechanic who works for a lower rate.

I've used the same mechanic for 5 years for various cars, when Itook the jag to him he'd never worked on one before but did the tensioner change with ease because as he said, the mechanical parts of all cars are pretty much the same, they all suck,compress,bang and blow.

once you've done the job sell the tools on, or persuade the mechanic to buy them off you as he now has more experience of fixing jag V8s

 

You can buy the tensioners, bolts and gaskets from a Ford dealer for less than $200. Lincoln LS '01 - '03 parts. Rental of the required tool is less than $50. Lots of instructions and pictures around. Took me less than 4 hours and I had never done this before.

 

Braver then I!!!!!