New to Jags and XK8s

[Nick580]

I have just bought my first Jag - 98MY XK8 Convertible. Have been reading the horror stories about cam tensioners and Jag dealer servicing (see this month's magazine). Can someone help:
- Is there any way to tell if the cam tensioners need replacing before they let go? (my car has just completed 75k miles, and has a perfect full Jaguar service history).
- Do you get any warning and could I still get home in limp home mode?
- Is it worth changing the top and bottom tensioners and the chains, or will the garage advise?
- I'm guessing it would be smart to change the water pump and thermostat at the same time, although touch wood, all is fine in that department. I'd rather not spend money if I don't have to.
- Could I get the cam tensioner work done under the RAC warranty that came with the car, if I choose to do it before they actually break?
- Any recommended garages in the Slough/Windsor/Maidenhead area e.g. Marcus Barclay, Bovingdon that can be relied on?
Love the car, more smiles to the gallon than I've ever had, just want to keep it that way. Many thanks to all who reply

[Bassman]

There is sometimes a rattle that warns they tensioners are about to die but TBH the only way is to get them looked at for cracks, I was lucky that mine was in for the VVT's to be done and my dealer offered to replace all the tensioners, chains and guides for the price of the parts (£388) while it was apart. As for the warrenty, you need to have a read of it, as some exclude timing chain tensioners and they would only cover them once they have actually gone and by then the engine could be wreckage. If they let go, limp home mode won't come into it

My 98MY was on just over 70k when I had them done and they weren't too bad , just starting to crack

Water pump and thermostat, I'm planning on getting mine done next month as a preventative measure, much better to just pay for the bits now than the consequences of them going

I'm in Surrey near Weybridge and I'm using the independant I bought it off Arun in Sussex, around Slough the best bet is probably Paramount Performance

[GrandTourer]

Welcome to the forum Nick580.
I completely agree with Bassman. I had my secondary chain tensioners done at 59K on my 2000MY XK8 as a preventative measure and I am very relieved I did as both tensioners had the dreaded cracks in them.
My chains looked in excellent condition, but I plan to get the primary chain tensioners and both chains changed between 80 - 90K miles (now at 78K) just to be sure.
In my case there was absolutely no indication of the tensioners going and that seem quite a common occurance.
I would certainly recommend to have yours changed asap (cost about £1000 - £1200), particularly as I think that you have the first version of tensioners in your car - I had the second version which include a spring. But they were no better than the first ones. The ones you need are the latest aluminium types.

I would also get the thermostat and waterpump changed to the latest one, not that expensive now but well worth the good night sleep it affords.

Re your personalised number plate: I don't think it would increase the value of the car and would only be meaningful to someone with the same initials as yours.

Enjoy your XK, but you already know what we mean with this little expression - its easy isn't it!

[Steve]

Welcome to the forum Nick, I hope you enjoy it. On the subject of local dealers, I bought mine from Merritts in Amersham and have always found them very thorough and helpful. They are a main agent so prices are standard Jaguar. Mrs H was won over by their habit of putting a large bunch of flowers in the boot when they sell a car.

[Billroot]

Hi Nick

I'm new to XK8s as well, I bought my first last July, 2000MY coupe. Like you, I have been considering the position on tensioners, water pumps and thermostats. I talked to a Jaguar service manager who said that tensioner failure in his experience was nowhere near as common as you would think judging by the articles in this forum. He also said that a rattle when starting from cold was a tell-tale sign. My car is covered by a Jaguar warranty till next July and failure of the tensioners is covered. When that's up I think I'll probably get them done by a specialist as a precaution. Annoyingly there seems to be no way of telling whether the job has already been done! The Jaguar service history is for my car is a blank except for routine servicing and it seems common practice for repair jobs not to be entered into the service history.

As for thermostats and water pumps, read Bob Bates recent articles in the JEC magazine. Very informative and he quotes the relevent Jaguar service bulletins. I'm not changing these parts as according to Bob's infromation the water pump in my car is not suscepatable to premature failure. Good luck and enjoy the drive.