Well, it's my cats turn. I've ordered new spider hose, valley hoses, manifold gaskets, TB and induction elbow gaskets. Any other parts needed? Oh, and I have a couple new tools- fuel line release tools and a remote spring clamp pliers.

I smelled that unmistakable odor of cooking coolant and a small puddle on the garage floor. I could see coolant collecting in the square recesses on top the trans. All this with the motor off.
With the engine running and up to temp, I could just see a drip, drip, drip. Further examination with a mirror revealed the source, the non return valve in the octopus hose.
With 93k miles on it, it's a 98 XK8, it seems prudent to pull the intake and throttle body to get at the valley hoses. With the intake and TB out, should make things easier to get to.
JTIS wasn't too helpful for removing the intake, but there is at least one good forum write up with photos ( I think it was from Gus). I'm unsure about whether the individual injectors need to come out or the rail as an assembly but I'll figure it out.
Thanks for a great forum

New thermostat housing is done. While I'm in there, I'll replace any vacuum lines under manifold or to the throttle body.
I think I'll take plenty of photos

My 98 knock sensors are threaded in, the top visible from outside the manifold, appear to have the leads encapsulated in epoxy resin. I wasn't planning to disturb them . If it ain't broke don't fix it. Maybe someone can advise if these are better , worse, or the same as the ones mounted on studs.

Just an update. Octo is done. The remote spring clamp pliers is a must do. The big leak was on the non return valve above the transmission, behind an electrical box. The 10 mm ID hose at the tee on the heater return pipe going up to the TB had fresh coolant stains. I've sourced a new one.
Thanks Jag Forums!

Ltd