Has anybody tackled the intake manifold gaskets on a XKR? Independent mechanic says it will cost about $500, mostly service as the gaskets only cost a couple of bucks...

Wondering if I should roll it in the garage and do it myself.

 

which ones???? The two main metal ones or the 8 indvl rubber ones or all of them?
Unless the XKR is diff which I would think they are not but that cost is mostly in LABOR, I just did my XK8 on my own. The metals ones were like 18 bucks a pc and the 8 invl ones were 8 bucks and change each and Jag did not even offer them, I got mine from Land Rover. Contact Jagbits, they can help.

 

Here is a post I made in another thread on the 8 indvl gaskets that I was told Jag parts depts do not sell, is a non serviceable part. i bought them off EBAY and they were exactly like the old orig ones that were in the intake.........

For anyone wondering about part numbers for all this stuff to get it all back together PM I can get you them and who I ordered them from. On the 03 xk8 anyways, there are 8 indvl gaskets that go into the bottom of the black top part of the intake setup. Your local Jag dealer does not sell them as a serviceable part, you can't buy them. I was told that Land Rover sells the same thing and you can get them........
LAND ROVER GASKET INTAKE MANIFOLD
FOR RANGE ROVER 4.4 FROM 2006 TO 2009
RANGE ROVER SPORT
LR3
Part# 4526549

 

if you do it, since the intake is off, may as well have the valley hoses replaced. The cost is up there to do this job I suspect, specially for you as you have the supercharger stuff to be removed you also have to remove the TB and Intake Elbow for this job. That is why I say if you have the money and it is ganna be apart, do some other preventive maint while it is apart.

 

Yes, while it's apart I was thinking the valley hoses and knock sensors. I don't know how much extra he'd charge me but I don't think it would be to bad since he will already have it open and he lets me buy my own parts.

I think the quote was only for the 2 main ones. Did you complete this service yourself? I've done a lot of work on this vehicle and think I could handle it but I'm wondering if it's worth the time... Maybe $500 is a good price?

 

As your mechanic said the gaskets are a small price the labor is going to get you. Why are you replacing the gaskets? I replaced mine but my car is not an xkr.

Link to my replacement JagRepair.com - Jaguar Repair Information Resource

 

I have done it all myself. I had a leaky fuel rail issue so i was like what the hell, I will have that off may as well get in deeper.
If you have a nice garage, tools, it is easier to handle. If you have the money to do it, let them, it is a hassle but I needed to cut costs and do it myself.
Will they let you supply the parts yourself? Some shops make a little money if they get the parts for you, they may not want you to do that or they will and say if they leak or fail, etc, and we go back into it FOR YOU then it will cost more.
It just turns into a I MAY AS WELL DO THIS thing when you take the intake off since the TB and ELBOW also comes off. At that point most say do the octopus hose, the hoses coming off the EGR, then the T that the pass side valley hose connects to. It turns into a I MAY AS WELL THING, it did for me though I rolled the dice and passed on replacing the knock sensors at 96k. It is a part I have rarely heard of failing on many cars and I have owned MANY with many more miles and no failure. So I hope it does not come back to bit me in the ***.

 

If the intake is apart i was told you SHOULD replace the gaskets, even the TB gasket, elbow to intake gasket, front intake plate gasket, all of it since you got it apart.

 

Intermittent restricted performance w/ check engine light, I think it's code P0171. Mechanic diagnosed as bad IM gasket.

 

Yes the shop lets me purchase my own parts, I save a lot doing that. I just replaced the octopus hose myself about 300 miles ago so that is done. How long did it take you to do the whole project? Didn't make a write up did you?

 

How long did it take to do what?

 

How long did it take to replace the intake manifold gaskets at home? I have a garage and plenty of tools so just curious how long it might take me to save $500....

 

well I have taken my time due to money issues, waiting for parts, sending out fuel rail for issues, prob will have been down for 3 weeks by the time I get it going this week. I ran into more heat hoses that I also replaced that I did not expect, namely the ones from the EGR so that put me behind since I ordered them later the other hoses.
I'd say if you have everything ordered and sitting on your work table, it would take a weekend to break it down and have it back together.

 

I R&R the intake in one day. Did they do a smoke test to identify the location on the vacuum leak? This code P0171 is a Lean code and could be caused by many things. Use this link and look up the causes for the P0171 http://www.jagrepair.com/images/Auto...7_ECM_2000.pdf I think I would get a second opinion

 

They said they did a smoke test. I replaced the tube w/bellows, air load breather hose, and cleaned the MAFS so I know it's not those issues. Have you ever done a smoke test? I could bring it home and try it myself I suppose....

 

The P0171 is for one bank not both. Are you sure that is the present code?

 

Yes it was p0171 that was the only code. When you start the engine it seems weak, I wouldn't say it's misfiring but you can tell something is off...

 

DIY for the first time is probably a solid weekend job. If you've done it before, then you probably could do it in 8hrs, but it's rather a PITA and a lot of time hunched over the engine.

Cooling systems has to be drained, the thermostat housing off, intake off, supercharger removed and intercoolers off. While it is apart might as well do the hoses under the S/C.

$500 is not a bad deal IMHO if you are paying a qualified someone to do the work.

As a DIY it's not that difficult, but is time consuming.

 

They are certified, have used them for years only guys around here I've never caught trying to screw me over...

I don't really mind the time, wish there was write up so I knew what I would be getting in to though. Is there any special tools I would need?

 

The instructions in JTIS are decent, and that's what I used. No special tools, just metric wrenches, sockets and a few torx bits. Getting the supercharger out is probably the hardest part since it's between and under the intercoolers.

You'll want the bonnet in the service position at the very least and I'll be honest, I cheated and did it while the bonnet and front bumper were completely off so I could stand in front of the car to lift it out.

If you're particular about cleanliness and appearance the project will likely snowball into other things. Hoses that need replaced, thermostat, maybe the intercooler pump, new coolant for sure.

The intercoolers will be off, so you might as well clean and paint them too. It just goes on and on.