Hi there!

My XJ8 has some weird cold start issues (still). After changing the right hand side (LHD, passenger side) sond, the problems got less but are still there. So my bets are on the left sond.

I attempted to change it today. Removed the piping to the water bottle, removed the bottle and then: no space to even poke some hand into.

How on earth is the sond here supposed to be replaced? I don't want to remove the entire engine... Am having enough of that with my XJ-S V12!

All I can see is a heatshield, which won't go anywhere and I can barely see the wires for the sond...

How is the recommended way? Remove the catalytic convertor instead?

Cheers

Damien

I gave up the struggle on my X308 and removed the cats to do this.



Even with the proper tool that goes over the harness the sensors were so tight and space so restricted, I just couldn't get sufficient leverage.

If you go for the same method, get replacement cat to manifold nuts (P/N JNZ100021). These corrode badly and for me they're a 'one-time' use item.

Graham

Graham, I was actually considering that methode. Just the exhaust is a little tricky... Grr... Anyhow, I think that might just be the method to do. The upper nuts are still behind the heatshield, right? So that has to budge, no matter what...

Remove coolant reservoir, remove heat shield (PITA) then box end wrench to 'crack" (or special tool) then hand loosen- once it is cracked, it spins right off usually. 12 point box end is better as it allows for smaller movement in increments.

Tried exactly that. I can't even get my hands down there!

USA left hand drive: Removed the coolant bottle and moved the heat shield out of the way .. it is a pain. Mine required penetrating oil and an overnight wait. I ordered a sensor socket remover with a built in handle (amazon) -- with this I was able to break it free. Then used a typical socket only to remove. Took me a couple hours.