Can a top chain tensioner be replaced on a Jaguars?
You MIGHT get away with just replacing the top chain tensioner which can be replaced without excessive dismantling. Firstly, Jaguars were not designed to be easy to repair? discover why the apparently simple task of checking the timing chains is far from simple.
Why did my timing chain snap on my Jaguar?
Chains stretch, tensioners have to use plastic cushions for the chain, guides can break and are the most likely reason a chain snapped and the engine was ruined (tensioner failure usually only shows as a sliped tooth which causes a missfire). At 22K miles you should be safe. Thank you everyone for clearing that up.
What kind of tensioner do you use on a Jaguar V8?
(See the photos at left.) We now use the metal-based third-generation tensioners exclusively when replacing cracked first- and second-generation Jaguar V8 tensioners. When a plastic tensioner shatters or wears to the point the cam chain becomes loose, a rattling around can be heard in the cam area at the front of the engine.
Do you need to change timing chain on Jaguar XK?
My apologies for misleading you, our XK’s definitely have timing chains. The 4.2 in the X150 has the metal tensioner bodies and there is no need to replace just because the car is 10 years old. Yes the auxiliary belts are due a change if not already done but you can just look for signs of cracking.
How to replace chain tensioners on a JAG?
Ask the party you bought the car from if the new tensioners have been installed, and get a copy of their receipts for this work if possible. Take your car to a mechanic experienced with these Jag engines and ask if your engine has the new tensioners.
Chains stretch, tensioners have to use plastic cushions for the chain, guides can break and are the most likely reason a chain snapped and the engine was ruined (tensioner failure usually only shows as a sliped tooth which causes a missfire). At 22K miles you should be safe. Thank you everyone for clearing that up.
My apologies for misleading you, our XK’s definitely have timing chains. The 4.2 in the X150 has the metal tensioner bodies and there is no need to replace just because the car is 10 years old. Yes the auxiliary belts are due a change if not already done but you can just look for signs of cracking.
What should I do if my chain tensioner fails?
With the car out of warranty and with 69000 miles on the engine, one of the chain tensioners failed, resulting in one of the valves punching through a piston. There was no ‘noisy engine’ symptom prior to the failure. The dealer’s recommended fix was a new crate engine at a price of about $9K.