Hello,
I have ordered a kit to update the timing components on my '98 XJ8 VDP - new chains (primary and secondary, generation 3 tensioners, seals etc. Has anyone got a great step by step guide with photos on how to do this? My car has 130,000 miles and is finally making the dreaded chattering noises. I have ordered the necessary tools to do this but would like to gain some confidence before tackling this mission! I am new to this forum and relatively new to Jags but I am willing to learn. Thanks

Jaguar World Magazine had a step by step article a couple months ago. www.jaguar-world.com

Thanks Larry K,
I am still trying to find that article but in the meantime I am getting things ready in preparation for my parts to arrive. I expect I will need to pull the radiator out in order to access the primaries but I am wondering how to remove the a/c cooling grill which is attached to the front of the main radiator without losing a charge. Any idea if this is possible or will I need to get outside help with this to recover and recharge the gas? Thanks again,
John.

I took the cam covers off and found much too my surprise that the left bank secondary tensioner was loose. The bolts were loose and backed out about an 1/8 of an inch from the mounting surface. The play of the tensioner was allowing the secondary chain to skip on and off the edge of the nylon slipper. I replaced both secondary tensioners with generation 3 units but opted not to do anything else due to needing the car the next day for work. The original Sachs tensioners were in ok condition (visually) despite the one being loose, it just had abrasion down the side of the slipper but both units had a 6mm long split forming down the shaft. The new seals I got for the cam covers and spark holes did not fit so I used the old ones that were still a 1/16th proud of the mating surface. When I took the covers off originally I found that most of the bolts were loose and I could back them out by hand. This lack of a seal invited oil to gather in three of the spark holes. After cleaning everthing up I put new Bosch plugs in and closed her up. I took her out today and she purred like a kitten, no chatter and my timing is intact. I will tackle the rest of the job (all chains and primary tensioners and guides) when I have more time to get it back together!

Check Barnes and Noble or Borders now for a May copy of the Jaguar World a complete photo by photo on the change. Part 1 in May and part 2 for June.

Thanks Larry K - that is brilliant - I will definitely give that a shot.

John.

Here is a great set of detailed instructions:
http://jeg.serverhouse.com/Jag_docs/Timingchain.pdf

I sell the parts and the tools needed on my website www.Jagbits.com also:
http://www.jagbits.com/mm5/merchant.mvc?...s_EngineMech_38

Hope this helps!!
Gary
www.Jagbits.com

Thanks Gary-
This pdf is great and I plan to use it to help me with my primary chains and tensioners. I wish the gentleman who put this link together showed his method of locking the crankshaft. I am still trying to locate the place where he did this. Also, the kit I have comes with two O-rings which I need some direction on. Thanks again!

John W

It is done.

I have attached a document (I hope it can be viewed).
Thank you to everyone for your help!

John W