Hi all,
The logical solution is replacing the whole chain system seeing as it's being ripped apart however when I asked the specialist which is preferable, he said it's entirely up to me as secondary tensioners are the main problem. He mentioned he had no complaints from those who had just the tensioners done.

Now disregarding the logic, is just replacing the secondary timing chain tensioners more than sufficient to keep the car running without fault? I know it's an age thing as opposed to mileage, but to give you an idea, the car is sitting on 80k miles.

Thank you.

 

I question your specialist on the fact when I did mine, the primaries were in worse condition than the secondaries. The guides were splintering, the tensioners were cracked and weren't working and my chains were stretched (about 2-3mm).
I'll bet if you drop the oil pan, you'll find pieces of the guides in there...btw, you'll need to clean out the pickup for the oil pump as well. Be sure to run your finger around the inside to get the rubbish all out.

I also found I had the original (plastic impeller) water pump.

Drop a boar-scope down the primaries to check the guides or drop the oil pan, both take about the same time...especially if your already doing an oil change.

 

The timing of your response is suspicious! The current owner just sent over an invoice and it states that in 2014, the top chain tensioner was broken and replaced.
Odd to think that the secondary tensioners weren't done. Then again, the work was done by a standard garage.

I am have not yet purchased the car and it's some distance from myself so I am relying on whatever information is within the invoices as the current owner can't provide much information.

In the invoice, it states "Replace nearside top tensioner and replace offside as well." Forgive my ignorance, but are there two tensioners for both primary and secondary, or does the invoice suggest BOTH were done?

My checklist for the car, as it's 1999:
1. Get the secondary tensioners done. Perhaps primary, too.
2. Water pump and thermostat upgrade.
3. Throttle body upgrade.

The rust situation is very minimal and the MOT history is impeccable. What else would you suggest I look into replacing?

 

It sounds like they replaced both, but why they would write it as such is a bit befuddling. I wonder if they replaced the chains as well or just the tensioners? Being a standard garage, I'd be suspect only the tensioners were done.
I also wonder if they dropped the pan to clean out any rubbish in the oil pickup?

Buying a car unseen is quite a difficult task unless its a really good deal that if you had to initiate repairs, the repair cost would be offset by the purchase price.

 

It mentions that the nearside head chain was between 2 camshafts, but there is no mention in the costs regarding the chain.

With the biggest job out of the way, the car is worth every penny as it's also LPG converted. The asking price is £3000, but I will aim for £2500.

The water pump is a £240 job, and the throttle body is £60.

So hopefully, the car is only asking for £300 mechanically.
Cosmetically, the headlining is sagging in the back (£10 pins should do it for me)
The rear bumper could do with a repaint (£200)

I plan on buying some alloy wheels and getting them repaired (£500)

All in all, the car should cost me around £1000.
£3500/£4000 for a minted, LPG converted XJ8 does not sound so bad.

 

Well, we don't have LPG here in the States, so I can't offer up a cost opinion. But if you say its worth it, then its worth it to you and that's what counts.

 

I can sell my 2011 VW Passat CC for £4500-£4700. I have vigorously done the maths, and the XJ8 works out the same to run due to the conversion.
I just sold my XJ8 a few days ago and it was painful.
I can't wait to pick this baby up.

Cheers for the response, mate.

 

When I did mine, my Jaguar specialist, and he is a specialist, also said it’s critical to replace the secondary tensioners only because the secondaries are the ones that can cause engine failure. He said it wasn’t necessary to replace the primaries and guides because they don’t cause engine failure if they fail. He could’ve convinced me to do it all and made more money, but he didn’t. So that’s what I did. On his advice and other research I did at the time and since, I only replaced the secondaries.

That was when I first bought my ‘02 XJR and I didn’t know how long I would keep the car. I’ve now had it eight years and I love it so much, I can’t ever imagine selling it. So looking back and knowing I’m keeping my car forever, I wish I had done the primaries and guides, too.

 

Thanks for your input. Why don't you upgrade them now?
My thinking was to do the secondary tensioner and move on in life. By the time I have to change them, I'll be on a different salary so I should be able to comfortably afford it. I mean, I can afford it now but I've just sold my XJ8 at a 1k loss so I'm not too keen to spend a lot just yet.

 

You'll want to review the link I provided from the How To section at the top of the forum, regarding the secondary tensioners. When you get down to the guide pics, his are just cracked...mine had splintered a bit, ... and small pieces had come off at the cracks. These can throw a chain and nuke the motor.
I'm not trying to spend your money, I just want you to be aware of what could happen. At minimum, review them with a boar-scope.

Tmingi chain and tensioner replacement

 

Because I’m not concerned about them causing serious damage if they fail like if the secondaries fail. My car has about 87k miles, so it’s not a lot. Next time I have to have the valve covers removed for something, maybe I will. I just don’t feel there’s a pressing reason to do it now.