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This is what cylinder head/valves look like after tensioner failure
So, I picked up a parts car with a "blown" engine for next to nothing. I started stripping the engine and sure enough found the secondary tensioner on right side was bad and secondary timing chain broken. I decided to keep going and took the cylinder head off. What happens when the secondary tensioner fails? The picture below shows the damage done...bent exhaust valves that gouged into the cylinder head itself...ouch.
This story has a happy ending...I decided to attempt to save the cat rather than strip her for parts. I found a used head at a local salvage yard and put it all back together with new timing chain and tensioner. The result...another 1997 Jaguar XK8 back on the road, not sitting in a junk yard.
Bravo!!
I know these cars can be a handful to own/maintain/repair, but the end result is gratifying. So many people are quick to just strip it, abandone it or just throw it away when it just needs a little TLC. Good for you!
This is what cylinder head/valves look like after tensioner failure
