As a proud inheritor of a family heirloom '98 XJ8L, I'm replacing the thermostat tower and the plastic (good grief!) coolant pipe. Got both from SNG Barratt. I was about to go the 8mm crows foot route, but the heater hoses are original, at 20 years and 106K. Common sense says to replace all hoses while I have the cooling system empty, so I'm doing that. It appears that the only way to replace the heater hoses is to remove the intake manifold, or use voodoo. It's 4.0 liter, normally aspirated Am I correct? Must I use the official Jag hose, or can I use a high quality replacement heater hose form my local parts store, which I will do unless someone tells me I shouldn't.
I got the online manual and intake manifold removal appears pretty straightforward. Any special sauce I need?
I already repaired one of the hard plastic coolant return hoses with a proper combination of JB Weld and cold beer. Read about it in another post and it worked like magic, although I think that guy used whiskey instead.
Thanks so much to you and others on here. You've already saved my butt.

 

Yes, remove the intake manifold. Straightforward.

 

FYI, This didn't work for me at all. The intake manifold is super close to the bolt so there is no room for this wrench to fit over the bolt. I have a 2002 XJ8 Sport.

 

then cut a slot in the bolts ((I used a Dremel tool) and use a screwdriver to tighten. Break the plastic pipe to get at the rear bolts on the original.