My 2002xkr which was built in 08/01 has the plastic tensioners. They are being replaced right now. When the valve covers came off there was a small piece of plastic laying in the engine. Ticking time bomb. As said so many times by other members, not worth the risk. Also, don't let a mechanic tell you that 02 models don't have them!

Hi,
I am new to the forum. I own a 2003 XKR. Love the car. They tol me this year did not have any of the tensioners problems. Reading the posts i am now getting worried! Is the 2003 XKR also equipped with the plastic tensioners?


Thanks for the info. I will post some pics soon of my XKR!

Cheers Jeroen

skeena river rover, all XK8/Rs made after August 2001 had the 3rd generation tensioners. Your 4.2 liter engine has the latest tensioners, along with all of the other issues of earlier models fixed.


Mark

My 2002 XKR with build date Dec 01 is supposed to have all of the improved tensioners according to the local dealership parts department.

Their service department previously quoted insane prices for upgrades without even checking if my car likely had the older stuff or not.

I left the car a few times with a premiere Jag independent shop that really specializes in old Jag refurbishments so they could start it up cold after a few days and listen for tell tale signs of tensioner problems which they never heard although the engine has a certain thrumpy sound when it has sat unused in a sub 60 degree F environment. I can also feel a certain but subtle vibration every second at idle that I presume is the result of the 4.0 piston firing order going up the left side and then the right which they changed for the 4.2 where it alternates side to side

What is the difference between first and second gen? Will second last a bit longer? It seems that to own an XK one has to be either wealthy or handy. I am neither. In another thread I establish that I can find no one in my small community who will work on a Jag. The nearest dealer is almost 100 miles away. Their service department quoted $1600 to $1900 to replace tensioners and maybe chains. About twice what others here have said an indy shop would charge. With a second gen auto with <50K miles would one be safe to hold off the work while saving up enough to take it to a dealer?

After posting my previous questions a new post from mjlaris suggests that the car (manufactured in Feb. of 2002) may have third gen tensioners. Can I stop worrying for awhile?

I wouldn't, pull off a cover and check.
The first generation parts developed a death rattle before letting go the seconds just let go.

Norri, do you mean you WOULD pull a cover and check? I would.

FWIW on my 2001 XKR the secondary tensioners were cracked when I replaced them.

I was missing a comma, I meant I wouldn't stop worrying.

Your engine was manufactured the same month as mine and I had the third generation tensioners. That said, I did have it checked at a Jag dealer very shortly after I bought it. Just to check was around $400 to $600. There is a posting somewhere on this forum that gives the August 2001 date for the change over to 3rd generation tensioners but I can't find it now. As far as checking it, I did for the piece of mind.


Mark

Did mine when I got the car. 83000 km's. Both were cracked and ready to pop.

The engine date is August 13th 2001, after that date will have metal tensioners.

I have changed all lastic tensioners when i had 60,000km drive my xkr. Dealer had recommended me for changing. It was cost about US$4,000 but I appreciate mechanic's recommendation because this tensioners will make big trouble and the whole engine must be replaced.
Just ask to change before you have big trouble

I have 44k on my 2007 XKR. Are these difficult to change? Does the manual cover this well? Thanks for your thoughts.

Thanks for the reply's!
So if you would buy a XKR the safest ones to buy would be 2003 onwards.

The important thing is this is the ENGINE manufacturing date not the car build date.

The tensioner problem was only an issue for engines made before September 2001. It was never an issue on your x150 (2007) model.


Mark

All the information on my engine number indicated that I would at least have 2nd gen tensioners. They had 1st. My advice is check if your engine numbers are even close.