re newing timing chain tensioners

[Sharfrs2]

Hi John Yes a 1998 XK8 does have VVT but they are not the continually variable ones of the later models.

[Tandt]

Hi Wullie, as you probably know by fitting the joining link in the secondary chains enables the secondary chains to be replaced without having to remove the primaries. I didn't think it a great idea but it seems to work ok. BTW great photos

[WULLIE4567]

Hi everybody
Thanks for all the feedback on this subject, I will probably go to one of those seminars in the near future think it would be very interesting.

John f, I think sharffrs2 is right about the VVT units, best get yourself one of those JTIS cd's from e bay, think it will tell you. Shame about the tools at least you have the correct tooling for the job and you dont have to hurry the job. If I can be of any help while your doing your job just give me a shout. .

Tandt, your right' using a link saves taking off the front timing cover and a lot more work, but I would prefer the long way just to be sure.

cheers and good luck with the job John F.
Wullie.

[JohnFrewer]

Thanks Wullie. I'll keep you posted how it goes. Have got to fit a new fuel pump on a Daimler V8 250 and change the locks on the XK8 first though. Had my keys nicked on friday. Main Dealer want 770 pounds to replace all locks, keys, fit and reprogramme. It really does make the Sherrif of Nottingham look like Robin Hood's best mate.

So intead I've found a place which will rearrange the tumblers in my locks, cut new keys to match and clone my spare key(s) chip(s) to the new keys. It works out at 20 pounds a lock plus 30 pounds per key. So I'm going to be taking out the locks this week and posting them. Perhaps I'll do the tensioners while it's locked in the garage.

John

[John1963]

I now have a better understanding of this problem which I did not have before, thanks to this Forum and its members.
Just one question, did the Alliminium tensioners come out in the 2005 model or earlier in the 4.2L version of the XK.

[WULLIE4567]

Hi John1963
Im sure all the 4.2ltr engines have the alloy type tensioners, unless anybody knows better ?? .

cheers
Wullie .

[GrandTourer]

I seem to recall - from a previous XK8 seminar - David Marks mentioning that the latest alu-tensioners became available as parts sometimes in the spring of 2005.

[John1963]

Ok, so if you purchased a 4.2 XK8 it would have the latest Alluminium tensioners fitted but as a spare part they were not available until 2005?
I will be going to the Northern day rally at Harewood so I hope everyone is taking there XK8's?
Look forward to meeting some of you and learning more about this particular car.

[JohnFrewer]

Just to update that I've now replaced my secondary tensioners with the newer metal bodied ones. It was fairly straightforward using the tools I got from the US. I looked at the JEC tools that have seen become available and they are better quality and about the same price (and also available for hire!). The US tools were fine for the job though.

The only hiccup was that I used ball ended "professional" CrVan hex wrenches from Halfords with a little sanap ring to hold the ballend in the hex head. When I tried to undo the second tensioner the head sheared off leaving the ball stuck in hex bolt. Normally it would be easy to get out but the snap ring stopped it falling out. Eventually I bonded a bit of metal onto it overnight with JB Weld and then got it out.

To do up the bolt again I cut a short length of the remains of the 10mm hex wrench so that it fitted just inside a 3/8 drive 10mm impact socket and the bolt with no length in between. I then used a 3/8 wobble drive extension with a 3/8 to 1/2in converter so it would fit my 1/2in torque wrench (my 3/8 torque wrench doesn't go up to high enough torque). I also taped a metal protective plate on the casing to prevent damage as recommended in JTIS.

As the 3/8in wobble drive is stronger than a 10mm ball end wrench I'd use this instead if I had to do it again. As long as the length of 10mm hex is short it allows enough bend to clear the casing.

Note that when you release the camshaft locking plate on A bank (R Hand) the chain goes loose on top of the guide, which is a bit scary, but if you reapply the locking plate it goes back to the correct tension should you wish to check that you haven't done it wrong!

The second generation tensioners with about 15,000 miles on them looked in reasonable condition with no cracking yet.

Regards

John

[GrandTourer]

Thanks for the update, John.

Although, . . . The second generation tensioners with about 15,000 miles on them looked in reasonable condition with no cracking yet. . . .
I am sure you are pleased to have done the job - AND sleep better for it

[WULLIE4567]

Hi John F
Glad you got the job done ok , I would'nt worry to much about the primary tensioners mines was 90000 miles and still mint condition. Your right about the chain becoming loose when removing the tool but not to worry thats normal.
cheers
Wullie. .

[GrandTourer]

I think you find the answer in the last paragraph of John's post:

The second generation tensioners with about 15,000 miles on them looked in reasonable condition with no cracking yet.

[MarkyM]

I thought all XK8's has VVT's Certainly the 1999's did.

And if your in the uK there's a company that lists regulalry on ebay with the whole Jag original tensioners set for £300 inc postage.

Regards

Mark

[WULLIE4567]

Grand Tourer
Very sorry GT, . I missread the last paragraph, thanks for the large red print to correct me

Cheers Wullie

[GrandTourer]

Grand Tourer
Very sorry GT, . I missread the last paragraph, thanks for the large red print to correct me

Cheers Wullie
Rereading my post, it does sound a bit uprupt - no offence implied, Wullie