I got my intake manifold off on my 2000 XK8, well almost. (pic 1).

It seems that all that's holding it on are the fuel rail connections (pics 2 & 3) and a connector on the throttle body base that looks like a breather tube connection, but won't budge (pic 4).

I've done a search for disconnecting the fuel rail connectors in the absence of the special tool recommended in the JTIS, but can't find any posts on an improvisation, and i haven't been able to find anywhere i can buy the tool.
Could anyone point me to a method of seperating the lines without the tool please?
And is that connection to the throttle body base in fact the same kind of connection as a breather pipe, which in this case is just stuck fast?

I think i'm going to break it if i try any harder to prise it out.

 

And is that connection to the throttle body base in fact the same kind of connection as a breather pipe, which in this case is just stuck fast?

I think i'm going to break it if i try any harder to prise it out.[/quote]

Can't help on the fuel lines but the connection on the bottom of throttle body base is a breather pipe - squeeze the two sides on the horizontal axis together and it will release the clip.Probably stuck though so you will have to "help" it along by prising it with a flat blade screwdriver.Likely to be brittle- be warned!!

 

It didn't look like rocket science, and so far all the other breather tubes have come off and survived intact.

But not that one, i couldn't budge it enough even to get a screwdriver between the metal and plastic on the piping.
Looks like it's not going to survive removal, unles i'm really lucky.
At least now i know it's the same type of connector, and i haven't missed anything.

Thanks batroute

 

I have attached a photo of the plastic tool set that I used to disconnect the fuel lines when I removed my intake that is available here in the US for under $10. Don't know where you would get them over there across the pond but they have them here at Northern Tools, Sears, Advance Auto etc. Really easy to use & very effective even though they are only plastic. The ones I have are:

Lisle 37000 Air Conditioning/Fuel Line Disconnect Tool Set

 

Hi,
i did several searches online for quick fit connectors/disconnectors, but couldn't find any tools for sale in the UK, although 2 results came up in the USA, but they didn't ship outside of the US.
I vaguely remember a post i saw months ago about improvised removal of the connectors ( i think with tiny screwdrivers), but i wasn't looking for that info at the time and have been unable to find it lately.
In the absence of any info on this thread i did another search today and just used the term "fuel line disconnect", and low and behold, got some results in the UK, and even on UK EBay.

So i've ended up ordering the item below from the Netherlands. ( iknow they're not in the UK but they do ship here).
Only trouble is it takes up to 5 days to deliver, although i figure that's better than ruining the seal and pouring petrol over the engine when the pump starts.
I was also a bit worried not knowing what size the pipes were, and whether cheaper kits had the length inside the joint to reach the disconnect mechanism.
Maybe i went overboard a bit with the kit below, but at least ONE of those connectors should work.
Thank you for the advice bsprowls, it may serve to save someone else some expense if they ever need to disconnect their fuel lines.

 

Like you, I'd done a search before and come up with nothing in the UK. This time using your search string, I've found the same Lisle set Brad illustrated is available in the UK:

LISLE TOOLS FUEL LINE DISCONNECT TOOL SET 37000 | eBay

Listed at £12.99 with free P&P

Graham

 

Funny how an ever so slight change in a search string can throw up such different results, in your browser, and on EBay.
I also saw the set you've linked to, as described by bsprowls, but i didn't know at the time whether it would work on XK8 fuel lines, so i went for one that had more disconnect tools.
I've also discovered the limitations of the JTIS, (which to be fair, is for use by trained mechanics), that states to remove things, but not always HOW to, for example, the injector connections that WhiteXkr put me straight on the other day.
As i go along i'll make note of things i struggle with, and may try to make an "idiots guide" to fill in the gaps for someone not too good with mechanical and electrical bits, like myself.
Hopefully they can then do these jobs from start to finish without having to fish around so much, or risk breaking things.
Thank you both for confirming that that disconnect kit:
1) works on an XK
2) is on sale in the UK
3) is inexpensive

 

I did a quick search also, but it looks like Graham was more dilligent than me. :-(

It's odd that a tool needed for a Jag (among others) can be had easily for coppers in the States but seems to be hard to find in the UK.

 

If you go to ebay.co.uk and type "fuel line disconnect tool" in the search box, you'll get a list of them come up, including the Lisle set GGG has linked to.
The 2 results i got from the USA were by typing in the tool number (310-054), but as i mentioned earlier they don't ship abroad.
I couldn't get anything at all in the UK using the tool number.

Many of the disconnect tools also disconnect A/C lines (vehicle air conditioning systems), which (apparently) have similar disconnectors, and you may have better luck searching for A/C disconnect tools.

I tried that myself, and it helped get me started finding results, through a result that gave a company named Autokool (air conditioning systems).

Edit: might help to specify "UK only" in the search filter, and if you add "European Union" the set i've ordered will come up, which of course you don't need.

 

I'd never have found it without your search string.

Given the problems in sourcing disconnect tools in Europe, please post again after the set arrives to confirm suitability.

Graham

 

Hi
Here is a forum thread in the XJ (X308) XJ8/XJR section that gives alternates on how to disconnect Norma quick connectors:

https://www.jaguarforums.com/forum/x...removal-74039/

forum member motorcarman also included a pdf file on the Jaguar quick disconnect tool (post# 7) that shows the tool. Maybe you can replicate it, looks pretty simple.

Jim Lombardi

 

Hi
Here is update to my earlier post on the disconnect tool.
I found the european website for SPX tools (Special Service Tools), here is weblink to their Jaguar webpage:

SPX Catalog - Special Tools&

Go to search box (on right side of screen) and type 303-623.
The tool is 9,55 EUR plus shipping.

I also found the SPX website for US forum members:

SPX Jaguar | Main

Go to search box (on right side of screen) and type 303-623. The tool is $19.39 plus shipping.



The image says Using Special Tool 303-323, but the Special Tool it is actually Using is 303-623.
There is no Special tool 303-323.


PS
I just ordered one on their US website.

Jim Lombardi

 

If it arrives and works GGG i'll have the manifold and cam covers off as soon as i can see well enough to tackle them (eye operation Tuesday, that i thought i was going to have a month ago), so i'll update this post.

That link you put up jimlombardi on the Norma connectors looks like the one i was looking for, and describes the screwdrivers, but that's a different tool for different connectors to the fuel line pics i posted in post 1.
The tool numbers for the above are 310-044 and/or 310-054.

It appears my disconnection problems may not be over, although your SPX link means it can be solved it for a tenner

Edit: In the picture of the kit i just ordered in post 5, there's a black thingy laying immediatly to the left of the silver double ended tool.
It's possible that could be a candidate for removing the connectors referred to in the Norma post, and if it is i may have killed two birds with one stone. We'll see.

 

Hi
SPX Euopean site:
310-044 (Spring Lock Decoupler) is 6,50 EUR and 310-054 (QUICK FIT CONNECTOR RELEASE TOOL) is 4,95 EUR.

SPX US site:
310-044 is $11.44 and 310-054 is $8.56.



Jim Lombardi

 

Jim,

Thanks for the additional info.

Specialist tools cheaper in Europe than in the US - that must be a first!

Graham

 

Considering how long this site has existed and the combined knowledge on tap, i'm surprised these issues of tool availability aren't more widely known ( Had a similar problem with tools for the primary chains, until PaulJ mentioned they were rentable through JEC).
Maybe we've gone some way towards fixing some of it.

Nice one - jimlombardi.

 

Fuel disconnect kit arrived, and worked fine, despite one of the fuel lines being very stiff to disconnect.

I started off trying the plastic tools, but got worried about whether they'd survive the pressure i was having to push them in with, so i used the blue tool in the picture, which is metal (second from the left, marked up as 3/8", and a perfect fit).

Hopefully you can see from the other photos that the release mechanism consists of four tabs, that the tool compresses as you slide it up the connection and frees from the collar on the male line, which can then be pulled free.

Now i just need to find an effective aluminium cleaner that will bring pitted aluminium up to look like new.

 

Comprehensive set for the money.

From the pics, this looks an ideal time to replace the T'Stat Tower whilst you can get at all the bolts without having to bend any spanners.

Graham

 

Originally posted by GGG

Yes i thought the same. For £24 all in, including the £7.95 postage, there's a lot there. Don't know yet if they'll do the air/con lines, and i hope i don't have to find out really.
Haven't even looked for the air/con line connections.

One thing i would recommend before disconnecting, is to get a fuel line plug. Fuel stays in the line right up to the disconnection point, and the smell gets really strong. I'll be off to a spares shop tomorrow for a proper fuel line plug.

Will do the thermostat housing when i've cleaned up the block. The silver bits over the manifold holes are duct tape, to stop water getting in to the cylinders from cleaning the block.

 

...........and the two heater hoses that run front to back are a common failure. Also nicely accessible whilst you're in there.

Graham