Timing Chain Tensioners

[joejag308]

Terry JEC membership doesnt automatically entitle you to any discounts, but most main dealers do allow some discount, there is no set amount.
However if you happen to mention you are JEC member before you order anything or have work done it can get you some discount, most ive heard is about 15% ........Joe

[JaguarKid]

Has anyone ever done a survey on how many Cars have actually broken there Chains/tensioners and blown there engines, whats the percentage that have blown engines. There must have been a great number of cars manufactured in this category.

Basically its all about money, I am going round and getting some quotes from Dealer, Specialists, Classic, Garages and see what I come up with

1.Top/Bottom Tensioners and Chains
2.Water Pump and Thermostat
3. Gearbox oil change
4. 85000, mile service

If theres anyone on here that wants to give me a quote 1 to 4 separate please do PM me

[flycatcher]

Hello,
I finally bought an X308 on 23rd Dec (Daimler V8 first reg'd May 2002, now done 60k), and have yet to discover any details about the service history. It's a one owner car, with all servicing done by the main Jaguar who supplied it in 2002. Three questions I'd appreciate advice on please:-

1) would the dealer be expected to supply me with details of any actual repairs carried out for the original owner? I know I can just ask him, but it would be nice to know if there is a policy here. They wouldn't tell me anything before I bought it except to confirm that they had supplied and serviced it. I have a vague feeling that franchised dealers put records onto a national database, but only that.
2) would franchised dealers be expected to suggest to an owner that tensioners, chains, water pump etc be replaced as a precautionary measure, or would they just carry out the servicing requested?
3) My car came with a 3 month warranty. Could I expect that the problem areas would be covered? I was told that they warranty company will contact me soon about extending soon.

thanks

Ray

[joejag308]

Ray i would think a meeting with the manager / principle of the dealership and discuss all your worries re the car. If they are the sole service agents listed for that car they would have the history on tap......also find who the previous owner was and ask him for the service book if he knows where it is.............Joe

[NewCat]

It probably depends on who you speak to in service as to how helpful they are.

I called Minster Jaguar in Preston to check the details of the history on my car and there were very helpful, telling me verbally absolutely everything they'd done on the car and advice they'd given the original owner. The only thing they refused was to send me a fax with all the details because they had the owners details on there.

If the supplying / servicing dealer really won't play ball then Jaguar's network of computers will almost certainly provide most of the details via another dealer, perhaps your local one?

Jon

[daveji]

Have you checked the Recommended Suppliers directory to see if there is an experienced independant wthin your reach ?.
It seems to me that without access to Jaguars technical information(there are no printed manuals) and the tools it will be difficult for someone without experience of modern Jaguars to provide a reliable and economical job. Your man may "do the business" for you but personally I would not let an inexperienced mechanic,however reputable,within half a mile of mine !
The tensioner upgrade job is quite straightforward to a properly equipped and experienced mechanic,but the consequences of a mistake can be very severe on your wallet !
Its your decision !

[bikermick]

Hi Guys,
I just replaced my Timing tensioners and chains and it looks like I was just in time! I have uploaded some of the photos to the gallery, http://www.jec-x308-forum.org.uk/x308bb ... 144b2e40ec

Both guides and upper tensioners were cracked!!
So if you aren't sure if you need to do this or not have a look at my photos.

I would just like to say thank you to all on this forum as without the advice from everyone I would never have tackled this. I would also like to say a massive thank you to Annie Jenkins for her assistance in providing me with the tools to do the job

Don't put the job off as you may regret it.....

Michael.....

[PaulE]

Amazing that there are so many posts re the tensioner/chain saga, and that it went on for so long before a design which was up to the job was developed. The readiness of engineers to accept that more newly introduced materials such as nylon will perform the jobs once done by such as phosphor bronze is astonishing. ( If you need convincing just look at what passes for a footpump these days, but don't waste your money buying one.)
During all this time I never heard of anyone trying to sue Jaguar for selling goods as unfit for purpose which seems surprising, as stories about fitting new engines for free when the Nikasil disaster was at its height were quite common. Does anyone know different?