My car has been recording "engine coolant low" error recently until yesterday I almost lost the engine. Whenever I see this error, I will notice a small drop in the level of the coolant and will top-up. But after a lengthy drive yesterday, I notice the fan speed increased tremendously and only a quick rush hope saved the engine. When I looked under the car I saw water leaking down. I have traced the leak to a hose in the valley of the engine, on the right-hand side of the V, toward the rear of the engine. The leak point is where the hose joins the metal pipe and it is by a metal clip.
The question now is how to remove and replace this hose. Getting access to the clip is quite difficult let alone getting space to use a tool. Has anyone done this work before? I will welcome any advice on how to get this done. Thanks.

 

Remove the intake manifold and replace BOTH heater supply and return hoses!!
I always replace the plastic coolant '3 way connector' NNE3944BA at the same time.

bob

 

No other way than to remove the intake manifold. The good news is that this is fairly easy to do. And yes, replace the two heater hoses that run through the valley of the engine when you do this, as access will be excellent. When I renewed all my coolant hoses, these two were the only ones that showed obvious signs of imminent failure (very thin and soft rubber).

 

Those heater hoses are probably items I should add to my 2019 "to-do" list. It would compliment the metal thermostat tower that is currently on the list.

Just how "fairly easy to do" is removing the intake manifold?

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Thanks for your quick response. But this is exactly what I was trying to avoid. I am doing this work DIY and removing the manifold is quite an effort, I believe. Could you please direct me to info on removing the manifold.

 

Really easy? How is it done, pls.

 

See attached PDF from blackonyx, his write ups are gold.

 

Thanks for this valuable piece.
My challenge will be getting the fuel lines removal tool. Can't get it from where I am - Nigeria. I guess there must be an alternative way of getting out those fuel lines.

 

eBay?
I guess you don't want to break anything during the process, considering ur location.

 

I cannot guarantee this method and you can risk breaking the fuel lines but I have successfully lifted the intake manifold on a hinge without disconnecting the fuel lines on 3 XJ8s. These were my cars so I accepted the risk of damage, I would not perform this as a job on anyone else's car. So far 50K on one, 25K on another, no issues.

What you do is run the engine without the fuel pump fuse or bleed pressure at the release valve to reduce fuel pressure just in case. Unhook then fuel injector connectors and pull them back and out of the way of the manifold. Remove the throttle body and it's connections. You should be able to reach the top bolts on the brackets holding the throttle body elbow to the engine. Loosen but do not remove only the top bolts. Remove the bolts holding the plastic intake manifold down and at this point you should be able to break the manifold free from the engine from the front and move it upward slightly as if on a hinge (Be mindful of the hose linking both fuel injector rails at the front of the intake manifold). I do not recommend forcing it or moving it past a 35-40 degree angle. Hold it up with braces being mindful not to knock them loose with your hands underneath.

DO NOT attempt this with a hot engine, it must have been sitting for several hours at least. Once again this is an at your own risk procedure but it has been successful for me not having the right tools to disconnect the fuel lines. Also if the fuel lines running to the manifold are brittle or inflexible, do not attempt.

 

Thanks

 

Yes you can do the job by taking out the manifold bolts and the bolts under the throttle body that hold the rear part of the manifold and tilting it up. (Remove the TB as well) The problem is that you need to MAKE SURE you do not disturb the manifold gaskets. It is prudent to clean off the intake ports before you put the manifold down and you don't want any debris in there that will cause a vacuum leak and make sure the gaskets are in place.
Also, it is a good idea to replace that three way connector as well as they rot out over time. At first you will notice you are loosing a bit of water; like a real slow leak. Then when you fool with the little water hose that connects to this three way plastic connector; the little connector breaks off. It's not expensive though a bit of a pain to get to. Might be just easier to remove the whole manifold, and replace the hoses. The fuel lines come off easily with the plastic tool that disconnects the lines on the manifold fuel rail.

 

Great info here