I've seen a handful of comments about a faulty XJ8 timing chain tensioner, and that it involved "early XJ8 cars." Exactly what manufacturing dates does this problem include?

I have a 1999 and was wondering if I might be affected.

Jess

1963 XKE (sold)
1976 XJ12L (dead)
1988 XJS (sold)
1999 XJ8

Submitted by peddlarbob@sym… on Sat, 02/18/2006 - 20:07

Jess. These are something your local Jaguar dealership should have and the labour for doing this job is around 4 hours assuming there is nothing else wrong at the time it is done. Don't know what they cost.

Actually there is a list, just a couple down from this one that is marked for the XJ8. If you post your questions there you will probably find them more knowledgeable about these cars.

Bob.
92 Ser III V-12 VDP #31 Canadian Edition
87 Ser III V-12 VDP
86 Ser III AJ6/Soveriegn
85 Ser III XJ6/VDP
59 MkI 3.4 automatic.

Submitted by jessn@bellsouth.net on Sat, 02/18/2006 - 19:05

Thanks for the replies.

Now I have a couple of additional questions:

1) Where can I get the parts and how much are they, and...

2) How much is this going to cost to fix?

Jess

1963 XKE (sold)
1976 XJ12L (dead)
1988 XJS (sold)
1999 XJ8

Submitted by peddlarbob@sym… on Sat, 02/18/2006 - 12:31

Edited on 2006-02-18 12:41:01

Edited on 2006-02-18 12:39:12

Edited on 2006-02-18 12:37:34

Thanks Carol I forgot to mention the years. I am not so certain that this problem is limited only to the years Carol has mentioned. As far as I know it covers the complete production of the AJ-V8 engine. However the problem has not been found very often in the S-types. I will add that if I was buying an S-type. Just for peace of mind and to elleviate tempting fate I would also check them on that engine as well. The part number for the new part is AJ87694 - AJ87693. They are slightly different from the old ones so you will require the new mounting bolts as well.

I should have included this. The model most effected are XK8/XKR sports cars and the XJ8 saloon. The aluminum bodied retro fitted adjustor was only introduced by Jaguar in February of 2005, so chances are good that your car does not have them yet.

Bob.
92 Ser III V-12 VDP #31 Canadian Edition
87 Ser III V-12 VDP
86 Ser III AJ6/Soveriegn
85 Ser III XJ6/VDP
59 MkI 3.4 Automatic.

Submitted by charlesmiller6… on Sat, 02/18/2006 - 11:16

Jess:
The years are 1998 - 2000. The problem stems from faulty camshaft timing chain primary and secondary tensioners. The plastic tensioner comes unbonded from its mount and jams in between the chain and sprocket. Bob is correct in that you only want the metal bodied ones as a replacement.

Submitted by peddlarbob@sym… on Sat, 02/18/2006 - 09:51

Just my two cents worth.

You not only have to be careful about the original sets they were supplied with but also the first sets of plastic bodied replacements that Jaguar manufactured. They have been found to suffer similar fates to that of the originals, if not worse when not installed correctly.

Jaguar is now supplying metal-bodied ones and these should be the only ones used in your cars. Because of all this confusion the only way to be sure is to have the covers pulled to see what is actually inside the engine. Taking a chance could end up being a really expensive learning experience for you. When the chain jumps off the sprocket the engine will selfdestruct.

Bob.

92 Ser III V-12 VDP #31 Canadian Edition
87 Ser III V-12 VDP
86 Ser III AJ6/Soveriegn
85 Ser III XJ6/VDP
59 Mk1 3.4 Automatic.