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I bought my first car last week, a 2001 black Jaguar XJR-AJ27, and now I’m here.
I bought it with 105,000 miles on it and when I bought it, it was warmed up and running when I got there so I figured I was gonna have to replace the secondary timing chain tensioners so after I bought the car I started it up cold and it rattled pretty bad so I ordered my parts and tools. I got started on it yesterday and I got the passengers side valve covers off and I think I see a crack in the inner timing chain guide.
I am just wondering how bad it really would be to leave it cracked or if I should just bite the bullet and do everything, both primary and secondary tensioners, both sets of chains, and both sets of guides.
also a comment on where the best place to order all these parts from would be appreciated
2001 xjr you have normal roller chain . Get wide guides I I'm using ford guides they're cheaper than jaguar guide here are parts number and best place to buy are eBay and autohausaz .
XW4Z-6L253-AA curved chain guide .
XW4Z-6K297-AA straight chain guide .
2W9Z-6L266-AA primary tensioner .
2W9Z-6K254-BA secondary tensioner right side .
2W9Z-6K254-CA secondary tensioner left side .
If you will need chains get iwis german made easy to find or oem or ford oem made in france or uk I believe . Easiest chain to find is iwis from autohausaz . For other parts like gaskets and spark plugs you can't go wrong with Rock Auto.
Ok thanks for the advise, I just kinda needed some one to just tell me I gotta do it. I really didn’t wanna have to wait an extra two weeks to drive it but I gotta do what I gotta do. I’ll probably get the kit that includes everything because it’s a bit simpler and then I’ll get new spark plugs, antifreeze, oil, oil filter, and a new crankshaft pulley bolt.
also how do I change my location, I’m located in Iowa
Since you said you just bought your first car last week, have you ever replaced timing chains before? This is a pretty involved job especially on a SC engine that requires a lot of good tools and a specialty timing gear lock down kit.
if you don’t hear anything at idle stop no touch. a cracked guide is no problem thanks to how it’s designed and probably has tons of service left in it. secondary tensioners must absolutely be done however.
if you still want to do it don’t replace the guides with the kits all over ebay that use plastic clipped onto a metal rail, use the ford part numbers provided with the metal fully shrouded in plastic.
I noticed an obvious rattling when I started it cold, and it went away once it was warmed up so I believed it was the secondary tensioners. Then I saw the guides cracked so I am going to return all my parts that I currently have because I ordered the whole set from Christopher’s foreign car parts. I also got a new crankshaft bolt.
And although this is my first car I have been an autobody tech for a couple years now so I hoping between that and some of your help I’ll be able to get this Jaguar back on the road.
Does anyone know whether I am supposed to use permatex ultra black sealant or just permatex black silicone sealant for the spots on the valve cover and timing chain covers?
also would I be able to remove the valve covers again without purchasing new gaskets?
I am looking for a bit of clarity on this subject as I am seeing a couple of different ways of doing this.
when using the “wedge tool” to set timing and tighten everything up where should I position it and should I use both wedges or just one? I have the silver eBay wedges like in the second photo