I have 2000 xj8, the heater hose that runs atop the engine to the rear, that is rubber, then turns to steel for about 11" then onto what I think is a dorman fitting on rubber hose again, just over the transmission, is leaking coolant. What is the best way to fix this. Thanks for any help

 

You have posted in the wrong forum. This is for the X350 and X358 models of XJ saloon from MY2004. Try the forum for X308 cars.

Somebody may respond here, but best to go where the experts look

 

Ok, well after after having not alot of time to mess with this thing, I just lopped off the hose fitting , shoved the hose onto the pipe with a clamp, and called it good. Some auto parts sites say that the ford trucks snap ons are the same, I tried but to small . However Gates or Dorman make fittings similar to what Jag had. Im just not sure what the correct size is. Well it's not a great fix, but I figure it works for now.

 

The Norma connector in my case was leaking. Repairing it was not an option, it was brittle from the heat. So I cut it out and used two male hose connectors from the hardware store to splice in a length of heater hose.
Works fine.
Check the boards, there are descriptions and pictures.

 

I believe they are only to speed assembly -- so you can cut them out and do a splice.

 

So,on the topic, where can I find a coolant engine block drain plug tool, (before winter sets in.) I drained the coolant to replace it, however Im guessing the engine still holds alot of old diluted coolant. Thanks again.

 

It hasn't got a drain plug on the engine, it's located at the bottom rhs of the radiator. The coolant you fill it with should be the same color/type as you drained as different types can gel leaving the system full of sludge.
Nowadays coolant has antifreeze properties built in - worth checking though, the system requires 50% coolant/a.freeze to water minimum.

 

So, I replaced what I thought was all of my hoses on my '05 (just ordered all hoses for my model). However, I'm left with two short hoses that are labeled heater. I of course replaced the hoses that connect to the two metal heater lines that go back to the firewall. However, since I have two hoses left, does this mean that there are two hoses in the back that connect between those two metal lines and the firewall/exchanger? Please say NO since I do not want to have to find them and reach them......

But if there are two hoses, what's the easiest way to get to them and how much of a PITA is it going to be to replace them?