need advice.

[Girlie]

Hello I am hoping replace my x300 with a1999 xj8 3.2 one owner,looks very nice with a good main dealer service history and a new gearbox fitted in 2010.But no sign of new tensioners fitted.should I just have top tensioners fitted or have chains changed as well ,what do you think and is it worth doing on a £2500 car.

[Darren]

Hi

Having just found that one of my secondary's has broken and pulled the timing out, I'm going to change everything for piece of mind. Primary and secondary chains and tensioners. I was imagining all sorts until I actually got the covers off, I don't want to go through that again. Mine is a 2000 3.2 and I only paid £1000 for it, if that is any help.

[Girlie]

Hello Darren thanks for reply I have booked the car in with local jaguar specialist for chains and thermostat also Ali. tower,the water pump has been replaced recently.I hope this will stop any future problems.

[rod3751]

Hi, Can i be cheeky and ask how much you were quoted for the full tensioners and chains replacement? I would like to have mine done but my small local garage(not jag specialist) wouldn't even quote me for the work, saying it was very labour intensive and it would be easier and cheaper for me to buy a second hand engine and for them to fit it. Not convinced on that argument as you would still be wondering what the tensioners were like in the replacement engine.
Not a problem if you don't want to say.
Thanks
Rod

[ptjs1]

Rod,

Your profile doesn't say where you are based. If we know where you are, members may be able to recommend a good local specialist.

Paul

[Girlie]

Hello Rod the quote I got for full chain replacement was £940+vat this was for OE seals and gaskets,all guides chains and tensioners from British Parts because Giles the jaguar specialist has used these before thinks they are as good as the 4.2 OE parts at a lower price. Giles Horsell at http://www.ghautoengineering.co.uk e-mail giles@ghautoengineering.co.uk tele no. 07795186600 is the local chap and is used by by some J E C West Sussex region members.I hope this of help to you.

[rod3751]

Hi Girlie,
Thank you for that it, that is very useful and seems quite reasonable considering the work involved to do the full tensioners,guides and chain replacement. You might want to get Giles engineering to check your water pump and thermostat housing while he is in there, as these are known weak points of the X308 V8.

Paul, I am in Gloucester and put out an enquiry in a previous post for Jag specialists in Gloucestershire. It seems there are not any recommended other than the main dealer HA Fox in Cheltenham. I did book my car in with them for my paticular problems at the time and received excellent service though at a premium cost.
Regards
Rod