Hello, I'm new and very happy to be a Jaguar owner. I've wanted a Jaguar since 1984 when my best friend's Dad let us drive his XJ12 to the beach one weekend.
Anyway, I just found out why I got such a good deal on a 2003 Jaguar X-Type with 80,000 miles for $3000. It needs 2 catalytic converters and being from California I see that I must buy CARB / California compliant converters . I've done some research and found a set of Benchmark Catalytic Converters for $430 each. Does anyone have experience with these converters? Any info and experience or knowledge about this repair would be very much appreciated.

 

Hey welcome to the forums! I also live in California (Bay Area!) anyhow back to your issue...

I don't have any experience with the cat converter's that you specify in your post, maybe somebody else on this forum can shed some light for you. As far as the process for removal & installation looks like a pain in the ***. I'm basing this off the JTIS. It appears you will have to remove the front subframe to install the right hand cat converter. The left hand one looks pretty straight forward.

 

I have had to replace my cats. It is a pain in the *** but it can be done. a lot of people remove the t case but I found it better to go out the right front wheel well. I removed the intake to make getting to the cat bolts easier. Take off the exhaust. Then loosen the sub frame to get to the rack. Loosen those bolts so that the rack stays with the car. spray the bolts with pb blaster and leave overnight. It took me about 4 hours in and out. And I also changed the front one.

Good luck,
The Dr!

 

The converters for an X-Type are very expensive and are unique. There has been a lot of discussion about how to restore the existing ones.

Search the forum for a discussion about boiling the converters. I remember that as having been somewhat successful.

But ya, those things are one of the special "challenges" to owning an X-Type (along with the T-Case of course...)
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Jaguar - it's not an automobile, it's a Motorcar

 

It's entirely possible to clean older converters. Especially the quality converters on the jag. It's done with a hot citric acid solution soak for quite some time. Often 24 hours. If the converter is not internally melted, it's likely the cleaning will restore them.

Tan-X is a citric acid powder that is used for cleaning water softeners. It's really cheap and readily available at stores that sell water softeners.

In this case, google is your friend.

 

Hi Cujet I am having trouble with my cat converter on the x type 2.1 lt 2004 the citric acid sounds great any instructions of how to use it. Can it be used without removing the cat.

 

5 year old thread




Or to use pure food grade citric acid, just google it. Runs around $20-25 for 5 lbs.