This may be answered someplace else, but I haven't found it yet. I have a 2001 XK8 and I am not sure if the plastic timing chain tensioners were changed or if the 2001 came with the newer metal tensioners. Is there a vin number cutoff to show me the answer? Other than taking it apart, is there way to tell if I have metal timing chain tensioners? I have seen conflicting reports as to when the tensioners were actually changed to metal. It seems all the 2001's were metal, but maybe not.
Thanks for any help in this. Don't want to lose the engine....

 

Putting the word NUMBER after VIN (Vehicle Identification Number) is redundant. (just something that annoys me sorry)
The VIN has NOTHING to do with when the engine was made. They get installed at a later date than when they were manufactured.
Plus the engine could have been replaced anytime in it's past.
You need to be concerned with the ENGINE NUMBER, NOT the chassis number.

From Engine (0108130000) is when the silent running chains and updated timing components were installed from the factory.

Pull a cam cover if you don't trust that it has the metal tensioners.

bob

 

I believe the 01's still have the plastic, but someone else can confirm. Here is a post that says the 02's have the new tensioners, but again I'm not sure. Post #5
https://www.jaguarforums.com/forum/x...sioners-34682/

 

OK, I may have found the answer to my own question in an older post quoted here;

"The engine number is everything. The build date for the car is conveniently located on the doorpost, but the engine date is hard to find (near the thermostat) and even harder to read.

The 2002 model year begin production in July of 2001. The first engine built with metal tensioners and guides was built on August 13th but didn't find its way into assembly until September.

 

Thanks Motorcarman,
Sorry about the number/number thing. I'll check the engine tomorrow.

 

The engine serial number is best, and easiest, found on the factory build sheet which should be available at your local Jaguar service center. Ask nicely if they will pull the build sheet for your car's VINumber. That will resolve the August/Sept vehicle build date on the 'B' column question.

 

Vehicle Identification Number Number

 

For those that cannot stop the habit of saying NUMBER, then simply train yourself to say VID Number. Vehicle ID Number. Just a suggestion.

There are 2 places on the V8 engines to look for the date number. Early engines have it on the block near the thermostat housing (left side) and later engines on the left side near the engine mount bracket.

bob

A police officer pulls 'Bubba' over and walks up to the car. He asks "You got any ID?" and 'Bubba asks "Bout What?"

 

motorcarman, while we're on the subject, do you know of any other upgrades that were made to the engine when they changed over to metal tensioners in August of 2001?

It strikes me as odd that they held on for five years with plastic and then changed them for just the last nine months before replacing the whole engine.

 

They had 'cast-in' liners (had difficulties), then to 'press fit' and then back to 'cast-in' cylinder liners.

The whole engine is really not replaced, just the displacement (4.2) was changed to the basic block/heads. They still used the 'silent-running' chains and oil pump, guides/tensioner setup From Engine (0108130000) onward.

bob

 

Test Point:


That might be easy, but certainly not best unless you are the first and only owner. The engine installed when new may have been changed over the years for a variety of reasons, so to be certain, there is no option but to look at the number on the engine itself.


Andy