I already own a 93 XJS but recently I have been looking at X300 and X308. I prefer the interior of the XJ8 but have been put off by the mechanical problems of the engine chain tensioners and the ZF 5spd transmission. My question is if I went with a late model (2002-2003) supercharged XJR or Vanden Plas model with the Mercedes transmission (which I have read is more reliable) are the tensioners more reliable? I read there are 3 generations of these tensioners but I am not sure at what vin# the better ones start. The vehicle I am looking at is a 2002 supercharged with about 70000 miles

 

2002 S/c you should be good to go- I would double check that you have the metal secondary tensioners, if not factor replacement into the offering price. You will not be disappointed.

 

Like anything else...it's a trade-off. If you look at a 2000 or 2001 XJ8 that's been gone over, has the latest cam tensioners, has had the updated ZF transmission bits put in, and may need just bits and pieces, is it better or worse than a more complex car (the XJR, while nice, still if not late 02 or 03, will still need the tensioners probably looked at to ensure they're up to date, so you're trading off what seem to be common, and by this point, addressed issues...for perceived lack of having to deal with them, imho)?

I was talking to my wrench this morning to give him the transmission number so he can order up an exchange unit from erickson; he is picking up a 00 VDP, 80 k miles, that snapped the right chain. (he has the update kit on the shelf from when he was going to do mine but discovered that I had the latest and greatest version of the engine (an 03) in my 00 with the updated chains) The owner almost paid joe to take it off his hands...and he's going to do the chains, set the timing, and see if he has any compression...if not, he said was a 5 hour job to swap both heads out, check the piston travel, smooth out any nicks in the crown, and reinstall.

If you've not bashed the pistons, bent the rods (unlikely...the valve stem is almost comically thin), or otherwise thrown metal...he's been driving a 99 around for years that he did just that to...should be fine.

Again...it's the whole picture. And right now, I'm into my car for about 7500 in acquisition, parts, repairs, and now a tranny. But...while not worth it commercially...worth it to be when compared to a 2005 Chevy Uplander POS van.

 

Jaguar WARRANTY TIME is around 12 hours to R&R the heads. A real world estimate would be near 18 hours.

I don't think 5 hours is a reasonable estimate for labor.

I have been fortunate a few times when the secondary chain snapped. I simply replaced the timing components and the engine started and ran normally (NO BENT VALVES).

It all depends on where the exhaust valve was when the chain broke.

bob gauff

 

He has a Jag-cer'd wrench helping him on one side, he takes the other. This is, of course, assuming that there are only a couple valves that are trashed.

5 hrs for one side is not out of range, I think. I've pulled the complete engine/tranny in a lotus in 90 minutes (without resorting to the blue wrench or sawzall...) That's his statement, not mine.