Just picked up a 1997 XK8 (37500). Beautiful car..great price. Anyway, inspecting mechanic indicated metal timing chain. This sounds counter to what I thought I understood from general conversation. Can anyone confirm that this could be the case?

 

The timing chains are always metal. It’s the tensioners that have plastic bodies or metal ones. It can’t be determined from an outside examination which tensioners are in place.
The cam covers have to be removed for a legitimate examination.

With the age of these cars it’s possible or even likely the tensioners have been changed to a the metal type. But it’s important to verify what is in there before driving the car. The plastic type will fail and the results are very expensive.

Z

 

Ask the mechanic how he determined that the timing chain tensioners (I assume) are metal. Does he have a photo with the cam covers off or a photo taken using a borescope (might not even be possible) or is he checking the Jaguar service record?

Richard

 

You can't get to them with a borescope, so it would have to be camcover off.

 

Thanks for the clarity guys. May look into removing cam covers myself just to see for myself. I'll also try and follow up on the service records to see if any indication of correction. Either way, I'm not blowing this engine!! Thanks again ..Best Daveyj

 

The right hand side (passenger side in the US) cam cover is relatively easy to remove once you remove / unclip the plastic intake / breather pipes and the ignition components. The left hand side is more difficult but if one side has been changed, both sides will have been changed.

You will, if the metal tensioners are already fitted, probably need a new cover gasket set when re-assembling.

Richard

 

Thanks so much Richard for the additional guidance. While contemplating, was investigating the parts pricing and have seen a vast range for timing kits varying by several hundreds of dollars.Noone including myself wants to over pay but of course not looking to shoot myself in the foot either. Would you have any sense as to the varying quality of oem parts available. I have to believe to some extent atleast that the price is indicative of the quality but??? Any thoughts you might share would again of course would be greatly appreciated.

Best ,Daveyj

 

I’ve had bad experiences with parts bought off of eBay that were supposed to be genuine Jaguar parts, but tuned out to be counterfeit.

you can trust parts from SNG Barratt. They sell both aftermarket and genuine Jaguar parts.

https://www.sngbarratt.com/

Z

ps I hope your tensioners have already been replaced and all you need are a few gaskets.

 

IF YOU STILL DO NOT KNOW IF THEY HAVE BEEN CHANGED _DO NOT START THE ENGINE AGAIN- THEY CAN FAIL AT ANY/ANY/ANY TIME WITHOUT ANY WARNING RATTLES. First you will know of it is the catastrophic sound of valves hitting pistons. Ask me how I know!!!

 

Thanks again so much for that info Z. And .... wouldn't that be nice (although sadly... not likely). Again GREATLY appreciated. (And I think I; follow Johns lead as well!)

Best , Daveyj

 

Thanks John...and as hesistant as I am to follow what I'd have to say is sage advice, I will. I got so very lucky bagging this car last week (locally). 37k original miles, one owner (in Fla)... no salt exposure. Racing green. black top , brand new tires ..beautiful condition. And I'd be embarrassed to say how cheaply I got it. So... I guess I shouldn't push my luck and.... it can't break in the garage...can it? lol ... Thanks very much again for talking me away from potential disaster.

Best . Dave

 

Oh come on now, share your story with us. We can enjoy your good fortune vicariously.

I’ll start; I paid $7,800 for my 2002 XKR eight years ago, mileage was 116,000 then and 201,000 now.

It came with a full maintenance and repair history and all the known issues like tensioners and water pump fixed recently..

I know you can beat my deal……

Z