I finally got the new thermostat housing from Welsh installed. Refilled the coolant and yipee I discovered a new leak. it appears to be one of the heater hoses under the fuel injection system. I tried finding the leak with a small mirror while the cooling system was pressured up. But really I can't see anything but a stream of coolant coming from somewhere under there. It seems that the whole fuel injector system must be removed to replace those hoses. is that true? I'm not sure if I am up to that job, my previous mechanical experience is with lawn tractors and snow throwers. I have nothing but time as the Jag garaged for the winter. If I am going this far should I just change the upper cam chain tensioners at the same time?

 

Emphatic yes on the tensioners if they haven't been changed yet.

 

You don't have to take the valve covers off when replacing the heater hoses. You do have to remove the inlet manifold and throttle body. It isn't particularly difficult just time consuming. Just work methodically. You will need a fuel disconnect tool and it's good practice to replace the gaskets you will disturb(inlet manifold,throttle body and induction elbow - they are not expensive).If you haven't done it before allow three to four hours. Whilst you're in there replace the two coolant hoses on the throttle body.
Tensioners are a different job and as Mike 66 says get them changed if they are original.

 

Thinking that if you're in there, go after that octopus hose as well. At your car's age, might be best to replace every hose you can see and be done with it.

 

Think of it this way: If you remove the intake manifold and cam covers, you are about 2 hours in. At that point, all of the hoses are within reach and the upper tensioners are in front of you. You will have fixed most common potential problems and can drive with a clear head. (consider the motor mounts since they will be *more* accessible as well.

The lowers take another 4-6 hours to R&R, so I would weigh that out. (plus the additional cost of parts)
Since the car is in for the winter, take the rest of the season to detail the living heck out of it.

 

Thanks Guys for all the responses, I think I will replace all the hoses since I think everything on the car seems to be original. I seriously doubt the upper cam chain adjusters have been changed and will pop the cam covers while I'm knee deep in the engine just to see even thought the engine is dead quiet. Having to wait 6 months to drive her again gives me plenty of time. One more question. I noticed that the engine id on the top drivers side was something like XXXX-XX-2003 is that the year of manufacture? I purchased the car from a dealer and the previous owner declined giving me any info on the car.

 

XK8 and XKR Parts Engine Number Location | Jaguar XK8 and XKR Parts and Accessories

 

Be glad you don't have an XKR. To get to those heater hoses you need to also remove the supercharger, supercharger belt, the top which connects to the intercoolers, and move the TB elbow back including the bypass hoses.

 

https://www.jaguarforums.com/forum/x...pskates-70848/

I did this a year ago. not that hard.

As for the hose under the intake I was able to it without removing the intake. I used a fish tape to pull the new hose thru. But I did have the catalytic converters out of the way.