NHTSA Complaint #10098805 — 1999 JAGUAR XJ8

1999 XJ-8 SECONDARY TIMING CHAIN TENSIONER CATASTROPHIC FAILURE. PLASTIC SECONDARY TIMING CHAIN TENSIONER BROKE INTO PIECES, DISABLING ENGINE AND CAUSING SIGNIFICANT DAMAGE. DAMAGE INCLUDED 3 VALVES, ONE CONSTANTLY VARIABLE VALVE TIMING UNIT (CVVT), TIMING CHAINS AND SPROCKETS. REQUIRED REMOVAL OF B BANK HEAD FOR MACHINING NECESSARY TO REPLACE VALVES AND REPAIR VALVE SEATS. NO TSB OR RECALL HAS BEEN ISSUED BY JAGUAR WITH REGARD TO THIS DESIGN DEFICIENCY. CONTACT WITH OTHER JAGUAR OWNERS HAS IDENTIFIED THAT THIS PROBLEM AFFECTS MANY OWNERS. JAGUAR REPAIR IS TO REPLACE ENTIRE ENGINE ($7,000-10,000). I REBUILT ENGINE MYSELF, AND CONTACTED JAGUAR TO QUESTION WHY REPLACEMENT OF THE TENSIONERS IS NOT SPECIFIED AT SOME REASONABLE INTERVAL TO PREVENT TENSIONER FAILURE. JAGUAR RESPONSE TO DATE HAS BEEN TO DENY THAT ANY DESIGN DEFICIENCY EXISTS. FAILURE OF THIS COMPONENT WILL DISABLE THE ENGINE, AND IN CERTAIN CONDITIONS COULD CAUSE ACCIDENT LEADING TO LOSS OF PROPERTY OR LIFE. COST TO REPAIR BY OWNER WAS OVER $3,000 (PARTS AND HEAD MACHINING); DEALER REPLACES ENTIRE ENGINE VICE REBUILD/REPLACE DAMAGED. COMPONENTS. *JB