Hi,

I contacted Jaguar to check which tensioner was installed in my 2002 XKR and find below their answer>>

Greetings from Jaguar Land Rover Customer Relationship Centre.

After reviewing your case with the engineering team at Jaguar Land Rover MENA, and from the information available, I was notified that according to the VIN details you had provided and on the basis that this vehicle didnt have any major engine work or engine replacement, then your 2002 XK was fitted with the later aluminium timing chain and supporting tensioners.

These modifications where introduced at VIN Number A24195 Built 11/07/2001 onwards.

Hope this helps.

 

I don't know that I would trust that information. My 2002 XKR Vin # A25578 was built in 9/01 and the engine in it was built on 6/27/01 and had the plastic tensioners. My understanding of the switch to metal tensioners was on engines built from 8/13/01 on.

 

My 2002 XKR with VIN #27xxx (Engine build 0112xx....) had metal tensioners and a much "denser" primary chain than the old one.

 

Not sure how to interpret this information. My 2002 XKR VIN is A24219 but it was built 07/01

 

The build date you care about is when the engine was built, not the car. There is a coded number on the engine, but it is hard to see and read. Search the forum and it will explain where to find it and how to decode.

If your manufacture date from the door frame label says 07/01, you most likely have the plastic tensioners as the engine was almost certainly built before that.

Only sure way to tell is to pull a cam cover and look.