hi folks, im thinking about upgrading from my 99 to an 02. i wondered if the tensioner issues with the 99 have been remedied by 02. i've yet to change mine with 90000 miles and so far so good.

 

If you inspected the secondary tensioners on your '99 your might have a very different opinion about driving around without upgrading. Why risk destroying the engine?

Most '02s are upgraded, but some early build '02 models may not be. The safest thing to do on an '02 is to inspect them to be sure. You can go by engine serial number, but there is no guarantee.

 

Change the ones on yours. The tensioners go out without warning, when they do (not if), it's probably going to cause timing chain problems which may possibly cause the valves to bend. Basically your engine will self destruct. At the very least, warn the new owner of your car, if you do sell it, to change that.

 

Nothing like changing your own and discovering the cracks to make one an enthusiastic supporter of changing them!

 

Same here. Change them. I bought a 01 silverstone at the begginging of the summer with 6k miles on it and they were starting to crack already...change them.

 

+1 on checking them THEN changing them!

You only have to read the dozens of threads here on this issue to become a true believer.

I could be wrong but I'm sure I remeber that 03 and onwards was a safe bet, so as stated if you go for an 02 get it checked.

 

I don't know the tensioner history of my 2000, so after considerable thought, discussion and heeding the advice of the sages herein, mine will be changed during the coming week, along with all the chains, the lower tensioners, guides, etc.; and just because it's there, the water pump, thermostat & housing and a coolant flush & fill at the same time.

 

This!

 

+1. Amen.

 

Gentlemen, I own a 1998 XK8 with 53,000 miles in which I believe none of the the timing chain tensioners have been replaced. My question is, can anyone recommend a service facility in the Phoenix / Scottsdale AZ area capable of replacing the secondary timing chain tensioners. I'm hopeful its under $3000.00

 

$3000 is way high just for the secondary tensioners. It should be more like $800-$1000.

 

I think you should go out a and buy a lottery ticket. Buy just one. Any one as lucky as you will surely win, and win with just one.

With this good advice I will expect ten percent of your winnings.

 

Pourboire, are you at all handy with tools? It's a long job, but you could save yourself the money, do it yourself and learn a lot about your car's engine in the process. That's what I did, I kinda didn't have a choice, but now I'm happy, relieved and proud!

 

giandanielxk8 Thanks for feedback.At this juncture the only thing my back would allow are simple things like replacing the brake pads on the XK8 (completed a few months ago)
I used to do all the work on my cars but this is not possible anymore. At 70 I'm luck I can still change a tire. Replacing the tensioners would require a lot of bending over the engine compartment which I know will be a disaster. I'm still vetting some local shops which hopefully will work out

 

White XKR. Thanks for ball park cost. I had one shop quote over $4000.00. But their quote also included primary tensioners as well as guides which is more involved. I maybe wrong but I think the secondary tensioners are the primary failure point with the 4.0 L engine.

 

Pourboire, if your back will permit changing tires and changing brake pads, you should take another look at the tensioner job. It takes about 5 hours, which can be spread over 5 nights (as I did). We're all different, but I found it much easier physically than pulling tires and fooling with disk pads.

Whatever route you choose, act now and good luck.

Steve

 

My car is an 02, 94K miles, chassis ends A29251 - I recently checked and found it had metal tensioners from new. There was evidence that the o/s cam cover had been removed before (for a check I assume), the n/s was all original. The slippers were worn, not horrendously but I replaced the tensioners anyway (I already had the new ones) and the engine is a lot quieter now.

 

It took me like 15 hours. Spread over 4 days. I can only say that it will take that long if you put lump together all the bolts related to a certain part in a zyploc bag and label them, clean everything you remove and lack a couple tools for those hard to reach bolts.

 

thanx for the info. since i have a new water pump and serpentine belt i was quoted $1720.00 to do the primary tensioners, guide rails and secondary tensioners labor and materials. thanx again folks i'm gonna have it done soon

 

I don't know if you guys are going to go through with it, but it's the secondary tensioners the ones that commit sepuku on your engine. The primary tensioners don't tend to fail, and when they do they do allow a bit of warning.

Still, I guess if you could have the entire job done you might as well.