1997 XK8 V8 timing chain tensioners
#1
1997 XK8 V8 timing chain tensioners
Greetings, My journey began with a small oil leak on a cam cover gasket. I started researching for guidance regarding the necessary parts and procedure. Within this forum, and other places on the internet, I came across warnings and dire predictions regarding the timing chain tensioners on the early AJ-V8 engines. My XK8 definitely was fitted with such an engine (CA9609301441) and there was no evidence that work had been carried out as recommended on the timing chains. I contracted the service shop I have used since the 70's to undertake the project. When the timing chain cover was removed and the components inspected we found both upper tensioners to be frozen and both chain guides cracked. Fortunately, beyond these issues there was no damage to the engine, but I was driving around with a bomb waiting to explode. It was my decision, once into the engine that deep, to replace all the chains, tensioners, and guides. Additionally, also because of information found on this forum, we replaced the water pump and swapped the plastic thermostat housing for the upgraded aluminum housing. The job took much longer than the mechanics estimated, but the stayed with their original quote and delivered a very fine job. I truly believe the timing system could have failed at any moment and thanks to this forum I dodged a very expensive bullet. The total job - parts, special tools, and labor was about USD3,300.00. I trust it is not inappropriate to extend my thanks to Vicky Pittsley at Terry's Jag for her kind and considerable help in getting me the quality parts I needed. Everyone on this forum who has urged owners with the older engines (I think prior to 2002) to have their timing chain system serviced is spot on and providing very good advise. Thanks to all of you! Regards, Ken
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#2
#4
#5
Timing chain tensioner follow-up
Greetings, As I prepared for the timing chain work I discovered a special tool kit used on both Jaguar V8's and Land Rover engines. I have attached a photo of the kit which can be found on eBay, Amazon, and probably many other sites. I purchased mine on eBay for USD185.00. My mechanics used it successfully on my engine and then I let them keep it for an upcoming Land Rover job. Actually, I just let them keep it forever as a thank you for the good work and staying to quote. My original intent was to buy the tools, use them, and then resell them to recover some of the money. I should confess that I'm addicted to tools - I own way too many. Early on, maybe 12 years old, I received a severe scolding from a teacher for using some equipment without asking, which was not true, I had asked. Anyway, sitting there I promised myself I would never borrow anything ever again and I haven't. If I need it I own it. I'm sure therapy is indicated. Considering what can happen to this engine, and what that might cost if the job isn't done right, I thought the correct tools represented a wise investment. Regards, Ken
#7
incredible! just found it for £39, got to be too good a deal not to get one just in case?
JAGUAR / LAND ROVER 3.2, 3.5, 4.0, 4.2 & 4.4 V8 Engines Timing Tool Set Free S/H | eBay
JAGUAR / LAND ROVER 3.2, 3.5, 4.0, 4.2 & 4.4 V8 Engines Timing Tool Set Free S/H | eBay
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toaster (11-01-2016)
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#9
incredible! just found it for £39, got to be too good a deal not to get one just in case?
JAGUAR / LAND ROVER 3.2, 3.5, 4.0, 4.2 & 4.4 V8 Engines Timing Tool Set Free S/H | eBay
JAGUAR / LAND ROVER 3.2, 3.5, 4.0, 4.2 & 4.4 V8 Engines Timing Tool Set Free S/H | eBay
Thanks for that link, since the full primary and secondary chain and tensioner change is on the agenda in about 2 weeks. I will be in the UK next week so I just ordered these tools that I will collect there and bring them home just in time for the job.
Still not sure about what brand of tensioners/chains to buy. The CNS brand from e-bay? Christopher's Foreign Cars full kit including gaskets and seals? Dave C Roche? Others?
Andy
Last edited by agd; 10-01-2016 at 02:58 PM.
#10
I am planning the full primary and secondary replacement in a couple of weeks and I was following a thread on the XJ8 section about this exact topic. I am unsure about the best place to buy the parts, so I posted the below over there but thought I should copy it for us on the XK8 side:
Some time ago Jeff posted this asking about the quality of these aftermarket CNS brand kits. Can anyone who has used them comment on the quality of this or other e-bay kits?
I noticed that Barratt, Chris, DCR and jag-bits all supply after market parts. Any comments on the quality of these, in comparison?
Thanks for the advice.
Andy
I have spent hours today reading threads and searching parts. I have landed on the following kit, to which I will add an aluminum thermostat housing and water pump. Please advise me; is this kit good quality, good price etc.?
Thanks much,
Jeff
97 01 Jaguar 4 0L 3996cc V8 Timing Chains Tensioners Guide Rails Kit AJ LC DC | eBay
Thanks much,
Jeff
97 01 Jaguar 4 0L 3996cc V8 Timing Chains Tensioners Guide Rails Kit AJ LC DC | eBay
I noticed that Barratt, Chris, DCR and jag-bits all supply after market parts. Any comments on the quality of these, in comparison?
Thanks for the advice.
Andy
#11
#12
I just went through this a couple of months ago. This is the parts list I have. Some are lincoln ls parts when they work.
Timing chain kit: for Lincoln LS
DNJ. # TK4162 $172 @ Rockauto.
Everything fits perect except in my opinion the guides are incorrect. Some members have used the guides in the kit but I didn't like the way they fit. I got the guides separately from SnG listed below. Still cheaper than buying a Jaguar kit.
Cam cover kit: for Lincoln LS
Fel-Pro. # VS50724R. $44 @ Partsgeek.
Doesn't come with VVT seal.
VVT seals:
2- AJ8256. $5ea @ AutohausAZ
SNG Barrett for next items.
Timing cover gaskets:
AJ83699. $16
NCA2127AC. $17(Lincoln LS different)
Chain guides:
2- NCA2025AB. $23ea
2- NCA1998AB. $33ea
From RMEUROPEAN
Crankshaft seal:
AJ83698. $10.25
Total: $381.25 + any shipping charges
This is what I found that works for the best price. You can do your own research and may do better.
Timing chain kit: for Lincoln LS
DNJ. # TK4162 $172 @ Rockauto.
Everything fits perect except in my opinion the guides are incorrect. Some members have used the guides in the kit but I didn't like the way they fit. I got the guides separately from SnG listed below. Still cheaper than buying a Jaguar kit.
Cam cover kit: for Lincoln LS
Fel-Pro. # VS50724R. $44 @ Partsgeek.
Doesn't come with VVT seal.
VVT seals:
2- AJ8256. $5ea @ AutohausAZ
SNG Barrett for next items.
Timing cover gaskets:
AJ83699. $16
NCA2127AC. $17(Lincoln LS different)
Chain guides:
2- NCA2025AB. $23ea
2- NCA1998AB. $33ea
From RMEUROPEAN
Crankshaft seal:
AJ83698. $10.25
Total: $381.25 + any shipping charges
This is what I found that works for the best price. You can do your own research and may do better.
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IXLLER8 (07-01-2018)
#13
Hi RobRoy:
Thanks for that run-down on the parts. I believe you were doing a 2000 and mine is a 1998 so the parts are not all the same. Nevertheless it does give a basis for comparison.
Interestingly, the Rock Auto kit plus the SNG Barratt chain guides add up to the exact same amount as the CNS kit referenced in the e-bay link above ($285).
My only reluctance in the purchasing that kit is the unknown quality. I know some after market parts are the same as the originals, just branded differently and less costly, while others are junk. I do not want the latter in the Jag!
Andy
Thanks for that run-down on the parts. I believe you were doing a 2000 and mine is a 1998 so the parts are not all the same. Nevertheless it does give a basis for comparison.
Interestingly, the Rock Auto kit plus the SNG Barratt chain guides add up to the exact same amount as the CNS kit referenced in the e-bay link above ($285).
My only reluctance in the purchasing that kit is the unknown quality. I know some after market parts are the same as the originals, just branded differently and less costly, while others are junk. I do not want the latter in the Jag!
Andy
#14
The only difference in the AJ27 and the AJ26, your motor, for what you are doing is the VVT. So that means that my parts list is correct except you won't need the VVT seals for the valve cover.
As for the timing kit the one your talking about has the, in my opinion, the wrong guides. The photo below shows the comparison. The ones in your kit are too long and you have to install them upside down to make them work. The only kit that I could find with the correct guides was a Jaguar kit at SNG # TCK8MAJ/1 that has everything including correct guides for $700. As I mentioned before others have used these guides but I'm not comfortable using them.
All I can figure is those longer guides are for a later model possibly a 4.2L.
In fact if you want my incorrect guides you can have them because I'll never use them.
I made the mistake of buying the timing cover gaskets for a Lincoln LS. Look like they would fit but the is a minor difference between them.
I'm just trying to pass on what I learned from doing my rebuild. I have had no problems, except the transmission is acting up, or any oil leaks.
As for the timing kit the one your talking about has the, in my opinion, the wrong guides. The photo below shows the comparison. The ones in your kit are too long and you have to install them upside down to make them work. The only kit that I could find with the correct guides was a Jaguar kit at SNG # TCK8MAJ/1 that has everything including correct guides for $700. As I mentioned before others have used these guides but I'm not comfortable using them.
All I can figure is those longer guides are for a later model possibly a 4.2L.
In fact if you want my incorrect guides you can have them because I'll never use them.
I made the mistake of buying the timing cover gaskets for a Lincoln LS. Look like they would fit but the is a minor difference between them.
I'm just trying to pass on what I learned from doing my rebuild. I have had no problems, except the transmission is acting up, or any oil leaks.
Last edited by BobRoy; 10-02-2016 at 04:25 PM.
#15
#16
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BobRoy (10-02-2016)
#17
Thanks for correcting me RJ. Are the gaskets for the cam cover and seals for the bolts the same as the AJ27 and only the spark plug seals different? I have never fitted one on a AJ26 yet, but I will in the future. I checked the SNG site and the cover gaskets you show have been superseded.
My suggestion Andy is to get the Jaguar set for your car in stead of the Lincoln LS set. It will cost a bit more but you know you'll have the correct ones.
I need to do the tensioners on my wife's 98xj8 soon so I will find out then what fits and what doesn't.
My suggestion Andy is to get the Jaguar set for your car in stead of the Lincoln LS set. It will cost a bit more but you know you'll have the correct ones.
I need to do the tensioners on my wife's 98xj8 soon so I will find out then what fits and what doesn't.
Last edited by BobRoy; 10-02-2016 at 07:22 PM.
#18
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BobRoy (10-03-2016)
#19
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I have the earlier motor with the 'pair of specs' plug seals, and bought OEM gaskets (earlier this year) as I'd heard of others having leaks with aftermarket.
The Jaguar replacement cam cover gasket is a shadow of its former self and did indeed 'rattle in the grooves'. So much so that I re-used the original as it had retained its flexibility.
Dealer was working from VIN and didn't show any alternative so assuming they got it right the thicker original grey/red type must be NLA.
HTH,
MIke
The Jaguar replacement cam cover gasket is a shadow of its former self and did indeed 'rattle in the grooves'. So much so that I re-used the original as it had retained its flexibility.
Dealer was working from VIN and didn't show any alternative so assuming they got it right the thicker original grey/red type must be NLA.
HTH,
MIke
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RJ237 (10-03-2016)
#20
I got mine from British parts international. They may still have them in stock.
VALVE COVER GASKET KIT :: ENGINE :: 1997 :: XK8 :: JAGUAR...
VALVE COVER GASKET KIT :: ENGINE :: 1997 :: XK8 :: JAGUAR...