Hello Team,

2005 super v8. The never-ending saga of leaking coolant hoses continues, by now I have officially lost count of how many hoses have been replaced

I am now tackling the heater hoses near the firewall that are leaking, i was able to gain access by removing all that I think i can relatively easily, the problem is that the hose clamps are near impossible to reach.

Is this possibly a lift job to reach from underneath? also does anyone know if this is a jaguar part that can be purchased or i need to buy standard hoses and cut them to fit? I think the leak is with the plastic T that splits the heater hoses for front and rear heating on the super v8.

thank you for your help in advance.

 

Yes, reaching the hose clamps is a kind of nightmare.

Many of us have a tool like this that might help:


Regarding the replacement hoses, as far as I know Jaguar only sells the rubber hoses in together with the related metal hoses (where applicable), and that you need to reach out other suppliers if you only want the rubber hoses.

Unfortunately, I cannot be more specific in your case, as my Super V8 does not have the separate rear heating.

Best regards,

Thomas

 

Thank you Thomas, I have this tool as well as the long reach standard and 90 degree pliers. The available working space is just not enough to use the tools.

 

Hi Frank,
I remember that when I wanted to remove the heater hoses at the rear firewall, where they connect to the heater matrix, I had to try to rotate the clamps a bit in order to be able to use the removal tool on them
Rotating them is very difficult, but it can be done with a screwdriver by trying to have a bit of leverage on the clamps.
The last resort would be to flex them off with a Dremel like tool, but them it is most likely that the rubber hoses would be damaged, too.

Good luck!

Best regards,

Thomas

 

Frank,

I don't think I can help you but I feel your pain. I have had good luck finding OEM replacement hose assys (again and again lol) at SNG Barrett. Some of them are so convoluted that it's impossible to tell what you are looking for on the part drawings. In one case guys at SNG had to keep working on it until they found a drawing from the repair manual that showed the octopus of hoses from a better angle and they got me the part. I never cross shop for the cheapest parts anymore because this kind of service is priceless.

I have fantasized that if I won $5000 I would have every single rubber part under the hood replaced all at once. In the mean time I keep 4 gallons of coolant in the trunk and subscribe to AAA Premier with 200 mile towing coverage.

Good Luck and enjoy your beautiful car when it's working!

Jeff

 

Hi Frank,
I had to replace those Y-connectors (C2C27712) for the rear aircon a few years ago. I broke them while removing the secondary bulkhead for access during my Supercharger replacement job.
Your car has different metal heater pipes and secondary bulkhead as mine is RHD, but the Y-connectors are the same.
Someone familiar with LHD cars may be able to help with the stages in removing the plastic bulkhead. You start with removing the wipers, then the cowl cover that clips to the windshield. It's just held on to the rear bulkhead with plastic trim clips. Some of the articles on valley hose replacement also address the bulkhead removal with good clear pictures. The manual also covers it under supercharger removal. Once you have the bulkhead removed, you can access the Y-connectors. I used a piece of foam over the top of the engine to lie on so I could get up close to the firewall to work.

Pete M


Getting up close and personal with the Jag

 

Mine are both standard base XJ8's.
But can relate to crawling around inside.
For access to remove then to replace parts.

 

Thank you all for the helpful feedback. Ordered a couple more hose clamp removal tools from Amazon, should arrive tommorow to work on the weekend.

Will report back progress. I have had the car for 4 years, of which most years it has spent parked in garage as weekend projects. Everytime when part of me says time to throw in the towel, get rid of it and move on, but then there is something about this xj that just keeps me going at it. I am sure most of you can relate to it, but my wife and kids think I am just nuts.

 

Good luck!

And I can perfectly relate to your feelings, it is always such a big pleasure to see what an effortless travel, especially at high speeds, it is with this car! And also the fact that, here in Germany, I can drive it for months without seeing another X350.

In my case, it is my parents that think that I am nuts, only in my case it is because I have never sold a car in my life and my small fleet has now reached the number of 8 cars. My girlfriend just says "...it's your money, you can do with it what you want..."

Best regards,

Thomas

 

Hello,

Wanted to drop a quick update, trying to dedicate time is hard these weekends but try to attack the issue here and there.

Hoses are still not out yet, as even with the hose removal tools I still can't seem to get the hoses off the pipes. To make more room ended up today removing the plastic bulkhead (with some of it cracking as it was removed along with messy crumbling insulation) and the air intake, on top of already removed items which has improved access to some degree. The plan next week is to pull out the rear heater hose from the firewall and work the way downwards on remove all the rest of the hoses. I am hoping that the leak is from a rubber hose and not the plastic Y connector itself being cracked.

 

Hi Frank,
Well done! You're nearly there. If you have some time, spray a bit of WD-40 or similar around the joints with the metal pipes. That will help to release the rubber. I have a long thin plastic wedge tool that I push between the rubber and metal to make a gap to spray into. You could use the end of a large cable tie.
Most of those hose clips look accessible, especially with the remote tool. For the firewall connectors, approach the connector from the side, parallel with the firewall and hook the tool over the clip. Most of the tools will lock in the open position, so then you can wiggle the hose to get it free.

Pete M

 

"but then there is something about this xj that just keeps me going at it. I am sure most of you can relate to it, but my wife and kids think I am just nuts."

It's love Frank

 

Hello Team,

Reporting back, the heater hoses have been repaired, after removal it was determined that the plastic Y connectors were the culprit, not the rubber hoses, similar to radiator had the plastic hoses connector become brittle and cracked needing radiator placement, the Y connectors were having the same issue. That means any plastic part in this 20-year car that runs coolant is giving up.

With the connectors being $120 each x 2 and on special order (part#C2C27712/ https://www.sngbarratt.com/English/#...d-0769b521dce8 ), I had to improvise. Found Dorman part #800-422/ for $14 each, bought and cut fuel lines, making custom connectors.

see photos for future reference. Installation was just as painful as one can imagine, limited space to work with but it is done.

 

Congratulations!

It's always a nice and satisfactory feeling when you get a difficult job done, isn't it?

Best regards,

Thomas

 

Excellent job, Frank, and thanks for the photos and part numbers.