How can I tell if my car has had timing chain updates?

 

Pull the cam covers and take a peek. I assume you meant the secondary tensioners. Timing chains are pretty reliable on these cars.

Difference between plastic and metal tensioners is obvious. Pulling the covers is simple. Search for threads on replacing the tensioners (there are many) and several will show how to remove the covers.

I think Gus' site, jagrepair.com, has both procedures for replacing with the jag tools and with the zip-tie method.

 

Pulled one cover, ordered new tensioners. Hope to have it up and running next weekend

 

Paul- Did you order the shorter bolts also?

 

Yes, they are included

 

Found time to install new tensioners tonight, no problem. Test drive tomorrow, well see if ignition problem returns.

 

Contrats!

You are now one of the forum experts!

 

paulab, how long did it take you? I already have the tensioners and bolts, but otherwise, I've been postponing it until I'm done with finals. I've also had my parents and grandparents telling me not to do the work on the car, that it is better to have a mechanic do it. They know how much thats costs, but they seem to prefer going through that expense. They think I'll bork the engine. What are the probabilities of borking the engine by doing the work myself?

I'm going to buy the gaskets as well. Can I find the appropriate gaskets in Pep Boys?

 

The gaskets for your 2000 MY AJ27 are the same as the 2000 Lincoln LS and should be available at Pep Boys.

Of course, it is possible to screw up the process. Just be careful and put things back as you found them. One of the greatest issues is leaving a bolt loose or breaking one off but that is just a matter of experience in working on engines.

 

It's unlikely that a engineering student would have difficulty, particularly with the forum to assist.

 

it was a simple job, use zip tie method and take your time.

 

I'm not an engineering student... I'm a pre-med student. What ever gave you the impression that I'm studying engineering?


Well, paul, if you say so, then I'll give it a go after finals in 2 weeks. I need to buy a torque wrench, the gaskets, small plastic bags and the zip ties.

 

Sorry, my memory failed me again.

 

He was thinking of human engineering.

We really are wonderful machines, as you probably have discovered in your studies.
Vector

 

Happens to all of us at some point.

Yeah, it still amazes me.

 

Just do one side at a time, make sure you turn engine ( by hand) so all exhaust valves are closed. That way moving cam will be easy. I also put a mark with a paint marker on the chain and sprockets just in case . Good luck

 

I wouldn't say they are reliable. There's a reason the updated tensioners were introduced.

 

The word "they" in the above quote refers to the Chains.

The reliability of the Chains was never in question.

The Original Tensioners were poorly designed and will fail at some point.

Tensioner Failure was not caused by the Chains.