I have a 2003 X-Type, 2.5 and I am getting ready to replace the knock sensor. I have read up on it and watched a few videos and I am confident I have a decent grasp of the process, although I do have a couple of questions:
I will be using Fel-Pro intake manifold upper and lower gaskets and I believe you apply gasket sealant around the upper and lower intake gaskets and if yes, which one do you use?
While I have it open, I though I might as well replace the spark plugs. Which one do you recommend and which is the gap for the 2.5L engine? Do most plugs come pre-gapped?
Thanks in advance for your help.

 

FOLLOW UP...
I talked to Fel-Pro tech. support and these gaskets install clean and dry with no sealant needed, juts clean surfaces.
I am still hoping for spark plugs recommendation and what is the correct gap. Also, where do I find the torque specs for the intake manifold? On the videos I have seen, they just tighten them and do not seem concerned about the torque.

 

VTGBoss, per the service manual that I have, it has the gap as 0.051 - 0.057". As for the torque, again, the service manual states that it should be 10 nM (7.4 ft-lbs). The big thing is in the way that you tighten the bolts. The easiest way to think of it is to start in the center and work your way to the edges. So, do the 2 in the center, then go to one of the outer bolts on the left side, then do one on the right side, then the other on the left side and finish with the last bolt on the right side. Big thing with this is getting a consistent torque. You try to tighten by hand and you get 1 really tight and the one next to it just barely tight, this is going to twist up the intake and result in a leak. This is why you want to follow the torquing sequence as what you are doing is starting in the center, getting things flat and then working the wrinkles out to the ends. If you were to start at the end and work your way to the center, you could potentially have a ripple of something caught in the middle.

 

Thanks Thermo,
Good and helpful information. Any particular spark plugs you recommend? I understand that any of the brand name, higher quality plugs will work but maybe there is one that works better on the X-Type 2.5?

 

Hi VTGBoss,
Not that I hold the answer for you, but when I was exploring options for my smaller 2.1 variant, I found that some plugs were designed use with blended or alternative fuels etc.
So it might help if you could confirm what fuel you are running on.

 

Thanks. I have a 2.5L gas and I use plain, regular gas.

 

https://www.jaguarforums.com/forum/x...x-type-157113/

https://www.jaguarforums.com/forum/x...-plugs-171578/

 

Thank you. Looks like a double platinum plugs is the best way to go. I have seen Motorcraft that should work since the engine is really a Ford and also, Autolite double Platinum since Autolite makes the plugs for Ford, although they have now moved production to China and I prefer not to but Chinese product ,since the chance of getting knock offs is great, but I am not sure if any plugs are made in America anymore..