I took my 110,000 mile XJ8L to a dealer for tensioner replacement. They said they could not get the pulley off for the primary tensioners and claimed they had the right Jag puller. They did not replace the secondary tensioners and sent me home with a $600 bill for nothing.

Then, on Jaguar Forums, I learned the necessity of doing the secondary tensioners, regardless of whether the primaries got done.

So, I headed back to the dealer with the Forum info in tow. However, when I cranked the engine, it was the end. The worst. Bent valve stems, etc.

So, not wanting to plank down $5000 plus for a running engine for this car, how do I get rid of the carcass? It has a new water pump and radiator within the past year. Are there any used parts sellers out there that would buy the entire car?

Any advice would be appreciated.

 

Sorry about your misfortune. You are yet another that has had a Jaguar disaster in the past few weeks. Those expecting their XJ8 to be dependable transportation should take heed!
I would contact JagTechOhio. Andrew has gotten disgusted with folks not taking his (generally) spot on advice and quit hanging around here, but he dables in blown X-308s. find him in the archives or contact me with a PM. I suspect you will get about $1000 fior it assuming the rest of the car is in pretty good shape. Advertise on here and the other forums. Ansd good luck.

 

What did they do for your $600?

It seems a bit odd. Try this scenario on for size:

The dealership expected to do a full timing system job.

So, they start disassembling from the top.

They finally get to the crank pulley.

No, dice on the crank pulley.

So ... now they have to reassemble what has been already done and give it back to you at the lowest possible cost.

Is it possible that their work contributed to the demise of your engine?

Is locking everything in position part of the procedure for a primary + secondary replacement? If not, and the job was not finished, then the full job effectively turned into a secondary only job - without locking.

 

That's a sick joke. I'd play merry hell. I'd want to know what type of pulley puller they used, the correct one is SPX 303-588 self centering puller. It will remove the most stubborn crank pulley. This is the first thing to remove when doing a complete overhaul of the timing. By the by, I'm sorry to hear of the destruction, it could have been avoided with correct tools, a bit of patience and know-how - and you did the right thing by the car, a damn shame you got a mug to work on it.

 

What was the time line on the events, 3 days or 3 years?

 

A lot of things go through my head when I read your post, but I'll only share the most polite thought I had:

In the absolute worst case real world scenario, the pulley is destroyed when it's removed. Then it's replaced with a new one after the rest of the work is done. Except that turns out not to really be the absolute worst case scenario.

 

Thanks Ross. JagTechOhio was not in members list. Where are the archives you spoke of?

 

Your logic is correct, plus I was charged another $630 US for the knowledge that the engine was gone.

What do you precisely mean by "locking."

Thanks again for your prompt reply.

 

Thanks for the info on the puller. This will help when I try to right this screwup.

 

It was months, but I drove the car very little. I knew I was on thin ice. It was only recently that I discovered Jaguar Forums and finally learned about the tensioner issue in detail.

I am also uncertain if they truly used the correct puller for the pulley. I at least have now learned the correct part number for this tool.

 

They offered me this option but at the cost of another $600 on the quoted price for the entire tensioner job. I did not know enough at the time how to respond to this.

I will say it was just damn bad luck that the day I cranked my car to take it back to just get the secondary tensioners taken care of the moment of its demise. I even had printouts of Jaguar Forums information in the car with me. Alas...

 

Andrew:
Check your private messages. I forwarded Andrew's old e-mail. I hope it still works. You might try Craigs list to sell it.
That said, I think your repair quote is some high. A good independent or a Jag enthusiast might work you a deal to fix it for a few thousand.