Hi guys,

I'm trying to find out if this car was built before or after July 2001 .If I'm correct cars built after July 2001 had the metal tensioner, not the plastic one.
SAJDA25B82MF49790
Also, does it matter that the owner replaced "Computer Active Technology System" (CATS) with a touring setup?

Thanks

T

 

Appears a bad VIN but it's not when the car was "built" but when the engine was - check the number on the engine.

A car built around then will likely have the bad tensioners but be sure to check the actual engine.

 

Thank you @JagV8, I will ask the seller to send me the right # s
T

 

Jaguar published 3 decodes for the X308 and they are different! I posted all the Jaguar decodes in this thread:

https://www.jaguarforums.com/forum/g...tables-145996/

The VIN you quoted SAJDA25B82MF49790 appears to decode from the generic 2003MY table:


(click on the image to enlarge it)

SAJ (World Manufacturer ID) = Jaguar
D (Market/Airbags) = USA
A (Transmission/Steering) = Automatic/LHS
25 (Vehicle Line/Body Line) = Super V8
B (Emission Control System) = XJR/Super V8
8 (Check Digit) = Validates VIN
2 (Model Year) = 2002
M (Model Line/Assembly Plant) = XJR 4.0 litre S/C, Browns Lane
F (Model) = XJ Sedan/Super V8
49790 (Sequential) = Individual Vehicle Number

Even if the vehicle has metal tensioners and not the early plastic type, the tensioner issue was only resolved with the fourth generation type introduced on the 4.2 litre engine.

Graham

 

Thanks for the reply,
I thought the 2002-2003 had the metal tensioner issue resolved
Thanks for the info
I guess I 'll pass on that car
T

 

That seems like a pretty fickle reason to pass on the car. The parts to fix this are a couple of hundred dollars, and you could even fit them yourself if you wanted.
I'd go back and negotiate, and if there are other aspects of the car you don't like, then sure, pass it up, but don't write it off just because you'll have one small preventative maintenance job to do.

 

I was told it would cost around 1500 to fix the tensioners

 

Can't believe an XJS owner would be deterred by something as simple as a tensioner upgrade on an X308.

However, the CATS being replaced with a standard setup would make me a little cautious. If the owner has cut costs on this, what else has been compromised?

Graham

 

Thanks for the reply. I'm trying to buy few more Jags at the moment .I'm not much of a mechanic so I'm careful that's all
The market is very soft at the moment lots of really nice cars out there for less than they were a few years ago. I have an updated list twice a day.
I will try to find out why the owner got rid of the CATS
Thank you
Terry

 

This appears to by a US MY 03 car and should have the metal tensioners. Easy enough to check by pulling the right side cam cover and taking a look. Still, an easy repair if they are plastic. Yes, the issue was fixed with the 4.2, but also with the last year of the 4.0. You should also have the tougher transmission with less A-drum failures.

There is a work around -- if not already done -- to stop the light from coming on due to the computer looking for and not finding the CAT signal. Lots of threads.

All said, there are still issues with cooling system that may need to be addressed with a car that is ~ 15 years old. TST, hoses, crossover pipes, water pump, belt and tensioners. Plus the usual suspension issues, nothing major, but in aggregate could get expensive. Still, even an Accord or Camry, this old, would need these kinds of fixes. A good maintenance history will prove your most valuable asset.

 

JHARTZ are you sure it's a 2003? The car advertised as being a 2002 ?
Thanks
T

 

Not sure. Thusly, pull the cam cover . . . .

 

I can think of a good 1,000 reasons to replace CATS with non. For these cars (age, cost of maintenance, complexity) there are a lot of places you could sink $1000 besides the difference in shocks.

I don't think the set up is worth the difference if replacing now. When new and introduced was great leap ahead (bad pun) and it let to what we have now. Which are incredibly sophisticated and responsive systems.