This is an interesting post and quite informative. I have a 1993 and I am not sure if the hoses have been ever changed or replaced. Since my XJS is a six I don't think there would be as much labor or difficulty involved in rehosing. My concern is the heater hoses and their release location. (Under the dash or in the engine compartment?) I assume some hoses must come from the UK and others procured locally. I will probably have to have a garage do the work 'cause us old guys just don't bend the way we use to. Booze or no Booze! Do you have any idea of the time involved? Would appreciate an answer when you have time. Please don't delay too long or you will be talking to my heir! TUVM

 

Not sure if my mid sixties qualifies as old yet (grandsons reckon I'm still a pup) but l still bend ok, it's the straightening out again that takes a moment or two.

 

LOL!

Exactly, bending is not a problem... un-bending is :-)

heater hoses are in the engine compartment. Not too difficult to replace.

The kit I ordered from UK, could not find it in US.

I do not know how long it will take experienced shop to replace them but if it took me about 10 hrs garage should do it at least twice faster.

Cheers.

 

NJ that is good news. Doing the math you have a twelve and I have a six; therefore a garage should be able to do it in two and a half hours. In Houston money that's about $250.00. This is probably fallacious reasoning, but it is a starting point. I could do the upper hoses and let them do the lower and more difficult changes. Sounds good but my back is starting to rebel already.
Thanks for the info...much appreciated

 

I have 6 as well :-D

 

Cost of hose replacement just doubled!
I just touched base with the previous owner and asked him if he changed hoses and his reply was no. The car is so clean including the engine and hoses that it is hard to determine age. However, after 62000 miles and 23 years it might be appropriate to change the rubber macaroni.

 

Hmmm...I'm thinking I should start considering changing my hoses?

I've squeezed them, but they all still feel good.

I did change the %€¥£>^£ hose when I replaced the intake manifold. Other than that, they're all original.

 

They are deceptive they look good on the outside, but break down on the inside. According to Classic Auto Parts there are 12 individual hose on the six. I am going to try to get and or match the hoses from NAPA or O'Reilly (US Supplier) and then install them in three's. I think that will make the job easier. Twelve at one time seems formidable!
Some of the hoses have 90 degree bends and if I can't find the part or a substitute I will use pre-bent copper tubing. I don't like doing that since it detracts from originality.

If anybody knows a good reasonably supplier I would appreciate knowing.

1993 XJS

 

I got my kit here:
Cooling & heating ? M&C Wilkinson

heater vacuum valve here:

there are a lot of individual hoses available on amazon, search for "uro hose".

I opted to replacing them all at once because I did not want to drain coolant and to take off expansion tank and air filter with housing few times.

Have fun!

 

looking good and being good (is like people) they can look good...
my heater hose looked good...
I check my engine visually a lot...
but after a drive I opened the bonnet and low and behold that good looking heater hose on the English drivers side amer-passanger side had a pin hole squirting coolant...
hose replaced!


so look and poke at them firmly with a finger or blunt object

 

Thanks NJ
Didn't have much success with NAPA or O'Reilly, but Parts Geek and Rock Auto parts had almost all the hose for the six. Rock Auto Prices were the best coming in at about $80.00 total. They do have good descriptions but the cross match with Jaguar is non existent. I went back and looked at my hoses and they look and feel good. This car was "babied" and kept in an A/C garage for years. Looking at the condition I think I'm going to follow Jonathan-w and IRAN (Inspect and Repair as Necessary) the cooling system and the rest of the car. Currently all systems are GO!