In reference to secondary timing chain tensioner, I elected to have a local garage replace the tensioners at a cost of $936.00. Received a call from garage regarding tensioners and i was told that the tensioners are the newer metal ones, in addition the guides, timing chain and primary tensioners appear to have been already replaced.
I requested he take photos for my verification. I was informed that the water pump was leaking. I'm sure this is an involved repair. Be advised, I'm the second owner and the carfax information made no note of this preventative maintenance repair being done.

 

What shop did you use Pourboire?

Sounds like they are honest.
The water pump isn't a daunting prospect, are they going ahead with that for you?

 

And your quoted price was very good, I was quoted in the $1200 range (before electing DIY). Sounds like you are on track.
Steve

 

Hi all,
Just stating what has been said numerous times by other owners who have done the secondary tensioners.
My motor ran with no rattles or sounds but on removal at 99,000 km the tensioners were in terrible shape with the bottom plastic pads missing and witness marks where the chain had rubbed on the base of the tensioner
How did such rubbish end up in a motor.
Please, anyone with an early XK8, unless you know the tensioners are done, get them checked.
Al

 

The shops name is Tech Plus Automotive located near Scottsdale airport. I intend on visiting the facility early today to see photos or better yet car without cover. I have CarFax information, but there is no mention of the tensioners being replaced. I'm still somewhat skeptical, since I have been burned before by garages. The worst offenders being dealership facilities. Will provide update when I return

 

just returned from vehicle service facility. They were not wrong, the secondary tensioners were metal, in addition the timing chains looked new. From what I could see the guides looked like they were recently replaced. From my understanding, in order to replace timing chains, the natural sequence would be to replace the primary tensioner as well as guides. I purchased the vehicle in December of last year from original owner with 53K miles. He was religious in many ways in keeping the Jag serviced. I was pleasantly surprised that he took it to a new level. Took photos but not sure how to post with the text. Itold shop to proceed with water pump replacement (quoted at $325). I would be elated to find a reputable repair facility so close to my home in Scottsdale AZ. Its comforting to know that their are some honest reputable shops still in business. As a side issue, I also own a 2011 Corvette roadster which I enjoy, but it can't compare to driving the XK8.

 

It sounds like this shop is very honest, good for you. If your serpertine belt hasn't been replaced, it's a low cost item and you hopefully can get them to replace it at no extra labor charge. I would change it out simply on the basis of age.

 

Mike thanks for tip. When I purchased vehicle last year the first thing I did was replace the belt since it looked worn. This was done in conjunction with oil / filter change.

 

Reply to espy 1949.


Since you are planning to have the cam tensioner work done it would be a very great benefit to the members of this forum for you to post the results of what the shop found with pictures if possible. Your participation is what makes this forum work. I did that when I changed my secondary tensioners and that post has been accessed many times. We would all like to know the final results. It would be a great data point.

 

I'm finally in the market again!!!! Good luck on the XK and what year did you get? I'm looking at a 2003 XK8 coupe with 78k clean carfax but without service history.

 

EZDriver I agree completely. With respect to my last update regarding tensioners I mentioned that when the shop removed the cam covers on both side they found that the newer metal secondary tensioners (revision 3) were on the car as well as new chains driving the cams. The longer chain looked like original equipment. I visited the garaged and verified their finding. In order to replace the cam chains they had to removed the front cover. I'm assuming that they inspected the primary tensioners as well as guides or maybe even replaced them if needed. I took several pictures but were unable to paste them into the text. Will investigate how to append photos. Since the aforementioned still requires labor, I will report my cost for the work when I pick up the car today after the water pump is replaced.

 

Wow - I was quoted $3300 for valve cover gaskets and secondary tensioners. The shop has done good work for me in the past but I felt that $3300 was just too much, so I bought the all of parts plus the cam tool kit for just over $600. I haven't done it yet but will in the next couple of weeks.

 

Since I just paid for my tensioner replacement work (I can post the details of the work when I get back home), I'm wondering what is the serpentine belt?

Sandy

 

That is the black belt about an inch wide looped around all the rotating accessories OUTSIDE OF and IN FRONT of the engine. It is inexpensive and relatively easy to replace. Replacement interval is usually around 60K-80K miles.

 

I suspect the garage didn't fully understand the details of replacing the secondary tensioners. The shop which did the work for me had done such replacements several times. I was quoted 3 hours of labor. Before I discovered this facility, I was quoted a price over $4000.00. I inquired further and discovered yhey didn't understand the replacement procedure. Best of luck in your replacement of tensioners.

 

Here's my list in case it's helpful to see what was recommended and done by my local dealership.

XK8 went in for diagnosis of reduced performance warning display (could not drive over minimal speed). I had it towed in to shop.

Notes: Ran for codes, misfire for cylinder 1. Inspected and found aftermarket spark plugs installed and are fouled. Swapped plugs and still had misfire.

Tear down right side cam to inspect and found secondary tensioner broken.

Performed leakdown test. No leaks.

Replaced secondary and primary chains, tensioners, chain guides and gaskets.

Parts list: 8 spark plus, 2 camshaft gaskets, 8 seal spark plugs, 4 seal centre, 1 belt drive, 2 seal timing coves, 1 seal crankshaft, 4 tensioner chains, 4 bolts, 2 secondary chains, 2 primary chains, 2 chain tens blades, 2 chain guides, antifreeze, 2 valve seals. Plus oil change, new battery.

Darn. I thought the codes were listed. I'll drop those in a post as soon as I get back to that paperwork.

Bottom line? $4049.87 $1950 labor. I'm good with having the work accomplished, just didn't like the surprise. And, of course, know the dealership labor's always about twice that of other competent mechanics.

Gotta pay when you don't know the locale. The price of exploring life in different places.

More fixes to come, but for now, she's cruisin along much more merrily.

Sandy

 

Isn't there 1 primary chain?

 

2 Primary Chains, 1 connects to each Head.

 

I was wondering if anyone could provide a reasonable explanation as to why Jaguar has not issued a recall for this outrageously expensive and potentially unsafe issue. How many people have to post horror stories before it becomes obvious that the 2ndary tensioners were total crap before they were even installed at the factory? Anyone remember when Saturns first came out and they realized they put the wrong coolant (or contaminated coolant) in some of the engines that could cause accelerated corrosion? They didn't recall the vehicles to replace the coolant - they gave everyone who bought one with the bad coolant a brand new car instead. Again, that's Saturn - one of the cheapest POS cars ever made. Something just doesn't make sense here.

 

I don't have the answer to your question, although I agree with your sentiment.
I became a fan of Jaguar because of the good service from my '91 & '95. However, I became leery of newer XJ8 series, because of the number for sale with failed engines. After learning about the tensioners and the fix on this forum, I gave in and got an XK8 convertible for my wife. I don't know the repair history of this car, so next week it gets a complete timing chain replacement, and while it's torn down, thermostat & housing and water pump replaced too!