My second thread. A 1997 XK8 I'm looking at tomorrow with an eye to buy has a modest 80,000 miles and looks very clean. But the timing chain and tensioners are original - no upgrade or replacement. My local mechanic said this job costs $2300.

How much of a problem is this? If I buy this car must I do this soon?

Thanks
Mike

 

Is it a '97-2000? Unless you have an LS1 in the garage like me, I wouldn't drive it. It is a hand grenade with the pin pulled.

 

Sorry I didn't give the year! Yes, its a 1997. I will try to update my original post. Thanks.

 

How do you know they're original?
Most 97's, with 80K either voluntarily had the tensioners done, or found out the hard way.
If they weren't done yet, your car is a walking time bomb.
Do you have a full owner's history?
Are you 100% sure they weren't done yet?
If they weren't done yet, I'd give yourself a conservative 2k repair.
Also question other common issues such as throttle body, and water pump and housing.
Ask if there's any work history on those items as well.
I'd also look at the shock mounts and shocks

Just off the top of my head.... Shocks, mounts, water pump / housing, throttle body and timing chain tensioners could set you back 5K in repairs or more.
Do your homework.... Or love the car so much, that price doesn't matter

 

Do a search on the zip tie method- quick and easy- If you are uncomfortable doing it, show your mechanic the how to.

 

When discussing this with a mechanic be specific. There are 2 timing chains / tensioner systems, primary and secondary. The issue is with the secondary which drives the overhead cams. While if not done needs to be after 80k miles you could probably drive it off the lot and get home and putter about, just don't run it hard till you are sure (many cars already had tracking pads broken off at examination time and were being run 'in danger' in other thread here).
Make sure mechanic knows you are only concerned with 2ndary, this will affect the price the above quote maybe for both.

And yes you need to decide if you're mechanic enough to work on this car or will be having a indie perform work, there's much resource here on how to do just about anything on these cars if you are handy with a wrench.

 

Take note of the replies above. If the tensioners break up, it's an engine killer.

There's two requirements to run a used Jaguar:

1. a well equipped tool box
OR
2. a well stocked bank account

Be in no doubt that a Jaguar approaching twenty years old, even one that has had regular scheduled maintenance, will need some expensive work. They were an expensive vehicle when new - spares and maintenance costs on a used example still reflect this.

Tensioners you already know about. 80K miles is also the time for a transmission fluid change. Both well within the capabilities of a competent DIY'er but paying for expertise to have these done is often an unpleasant surprise.

It's easy to put $5K into a good example attending to the things that will make a troublefree for the next five to ten years. Buy at the right price and that makes for some wonderful driving at a very reasonable cost.

Graham

 

I too have a 1997 and at 65,000 miles the water pump impellers broke off, common problem. I was very lucky the car overheated at high speed but no damage was done. I then spent £1000 on full timing chains and tensioner, modified 4.2 guide rails, water pump, metal thermostat housing,water pipes, plugs, coolant, oil & filter, hire of tools and got to work. Car has now just reached 100,000 miles and apart from a door locking problem runs perfectly.

It must be done on the early cars.

As I said I was very lucky.

 

Just to follow up the '97 I looked at had not been well serviced and had a checkered history so I passed. Having seen several bad condition pre 2000 models I'm now looking at 2001 and newer that I understand from her (thank you all) have the upgraded chain that does not need replacement. And I'm finding 2003 models for sale at not much more than '97s.