Jaguar XK8 Catalytic Convertors, differences, aftermarket alternatives & removal tips XKR X100 AT06

[@ToTheGarage]

Hi Damian Love all of your videos as you know. However I LOVED this one. Excellent clear advice on what to the uninitiated seems like ‘ how to remove a dozen 19:23 nuts. But to those that know, Up to a full day of swearing and knuckle bashing!!. Loved your ‘ tape restricted UJ’ hack and will use that for sure. I’m a huge fan of the wobble joint, and invested in a really nice full set about 10 years ago and use them more often than the standard extensions for all but the highest torque applications. Excellent work mate👍👍👍👍🍺

[@ODRModurol]

John, Thank you for your comment and kind words. Means a lot coming from you and it's very much appreciated. We are trying are best and hope to get the Automatic Transmission out shortly. We need to get the XK8 back on the road before the summer comes and goes, regards Damian.

[@gerardbooth40]

Brilliant video Damian. This was something that I had to do about 3 years ago when the R/H cat innards disintegrated. One of the toughest jobs I've ever undertaken on the car. Three of the studs eventually sheared off and my knuckles took weeks to recover! Those tips and tool recommendations were superb. Only wish this video had been around at the time. Despite this invaluable resource, can't say that I'm looking forward to the inevitable day when the L/H one needs exchanging. Better start applying penetrating fluid now, just in case 😂. All the best mate 👏

[@ODRModurol]

Gerard, thank you for your support, as you say not the easiest job on the XK8. Once bitten twice shy, all the best to you too, regards Damian.

[@jonathanslade2358]

Thank you very much, and for that money it's a no trainer. Thanks again, Jon

[@ODRModurol]

Jon, no problem. Forgot to mention, would love to see photos of your cars, regards Damian ([e-mail]).

[@tomfurie2996]

Wow, that "wobble" extension is new to me. Great top tip. I would also recommend only buying extensions with knurling for non-slip finger loosening & tightening. It makes life so much easier with greasy hands.

[@ODRModurol]

Tom, good idea to buy knurled extensions, regards Damian

[@Therighteousone522]

Great video. Thanks

[@ODRModurol]

@Therighteousone522. thank you, we try to pack as much information into the videos as possible, regards Damian

[@UdoIBress]

Working on the exhaust manifold is one of the most difficult for any mechanic because the stud bolts are heavily rusted and often break off. I hate this work. At the moment I need to install a new exhaust on my VOLVO. A horror.😮

[@ODRModurol]

Udo, agree I do not want to touch those manifold bolts. Good luck and fingers crossed with your Volvo, regards Damian

[@jonathanslade2358]

Well done Damien, my "new" xk8 has recently had new cats fitted before I bought her, I dread to think how much that cost!

[@ODRModurol]

Jon, good to hear you are happy with your purchase, hope its coming together OK. Replacing the CATs is certainly not cheap even using budget parts (£360/pair plus labour). At least that's one job you don't need to worry about, regards Damian

[@richardsutton01]

Another excellent video. I'm surmising that your usual socket set is a 3/8 inch fitting and that to gain some extra space on the RHS you switched to a 1/4 inch extension rather than switching to a 3/8? Of course, your standard set might be 1/2 inch but that seems to be rather unusual these days. I bought my 1/4 inch set specifically to use with the Jaguar a couple of decades ago even though my 3/8 inch set had served me well for decades before that on dozens of different cars but many of the clearances on the XK8 are marginal for 3/8. Richard

[@ODRModurol]

Richard, good observation, that's exactly what happened. I prefer to use the 3/8" set as much as possible. Need every bit of clearance you can get and the 1/2" came in handy. Sounds like you had the same experience with your Jag. Thanks for the comment, regards Damian

[@robertking9090]

I couldn’t find the California certification converts when doing an engine so new studs and some welding was required

[@ODRModurol]

Robert, sounds like you needed to be resourceful. Welding them isn't a bad solution, regards Damian

[@tainchains]

Sorry but may I ask how to disconnect the bottom of the catalytic converter? I know you show how to remove the bracket bolts but how do you get the bottom endnof ot off of the exhaust pipe? And thank you for this video.

[@ODRModurol]

@tainchains, the answer is with a rubber mallet. Used it to hit the central exhaust box and slid it off the CAT downpipes. Lots of wiggling and a bit of WD40 helped. Only problem was I also hit the rusty exhaust pipes and they deformed slightly, so be careful where you apply force. Hope that helps, regards Damian

[@tainchains]

Thank you. Mine is a 2001 Vanden Plas. Same setup though. My cat is so clogged that it is causing misfires on 1-4 cylinders. Someone neglected a failed o2 sensor for years I think.

[@ODRModurol]

@tainchains, no problem. Good luck with your repairs, regards Damian

[@garyvanremortel5218]

Damian, do you think there might be any benefit gained from prelubing those studs now, years before needing to remove the cats? Something like WD40 antiseize spray?

[@ODRModurol]

Gary, It didn't seem to get us anywhere using WD40 on disassembly although it wasn't specifically an anti-seize spray. As the CATs get so extremely hot, wouldn't have thought any penetrant would survive the punishment. However, can't hurt and we are thinking of using copper slip on the nuts on reassembly just in case. The nuts and studs were is surprisingly good condition (even in the UK) probably due to there location tucked up out of the way. Hopefully you won't need to remove them with the more reliable 4.2 transmission, regards Damian

[@henryviii6341]

I want my Jag 4.2s 2005 de-cat please . Paramount being so silly they wont do the de-cat for me . Can you advise where in 🇬🇧 i can go to get my Jag de-cat ED please. .

[@ODRModurol]

Henry, sorry but not surprised you are finding it difficult to decat your car. Its just not worth the risk for high profile company to offer it and get caught doing something illegal. Especially as there are lots of other legal tuning mods available including 'sports' cats, pulley upgrades etc. Apologies, I do not know of any company offering this service in the UK, regards Damian

[@henryviii6341]

@@ODRModurol you know it is always so kind of people like you to take the time and reply. I was yesterday in the West Midlands at the Jaguar spares event. Wasn’t much there but the were useful contacts including the Jaguar enthusiasts club. Which I have now rejoined as apparently I had been a member before lockdown. I love the Jaguer community. I’m trying to make my 2005 last of the line Jaguar X KR the best it can be. I’m still debating whether to go the XKRR route and manual transmission.

[@shazzyr7954]

Hi Damien. Hope you're well. I've got a Y reg XKR X100 and it smells really badly from the exhaust. Any ideas on what I should check please?

[@ODRModurol]

Shazzy, sorry, to be honest I have no idea. Reading up on the internet, a rotten egg smell is supposed to indicate a failing catalytic convertor. If your CATs are breaking up you should be able to hear them rattling as you drive the car. Are you getting any other symptoms, reduced power and economy? regards Damian

[@tainchains]

The bolts did not come out with the nuts. I bought the revers torx for the bolt and it simply stripped the top

[@ODRModurol]

@tainchains, we have the same female Torx sockets and couldn't remove them that way either. Going to remove them using grips and buy new studs and nuts to replace them. Thanks for the comment, regards Damian

[@tainchains]

I bought m6 bolts and nuts and just used those to reattach the new own. It was diffcuul ti slide the converter off so I ended up cutting it in front of the exhaust. And the patt that was left in was also hard to remove and it was hard to slip the new converter in. Thanks for a very useful video!

[@ODRModurol]

@tainchains, thank you for sharing your experience, it’s noted. We have still to re-assembled ours but we are sure it will be fun, regards Damian

[@jonathanslade2358]

Thanks Damien, whilst I have no front, bonnet, rad, cooler and fan pack on, is there anything else other than, timing tensioners, Serpentine belt, belt tensioner, water pump, subframe and mounts and thermostat housing I should check? She's done 90k miles. Would you like to see photos or are you sick of looking at others cars? Cheers, Jon

[@ODRModurol]

Jon, that a very inclusive list. The only other items might be the aircon compressor, alternator and starter motor. Its easier to get at these whilst you have all that off. Reference the starter I would recommend this kit from ebay (link at bottom). Fitted it myself and one thing less to worry about, regards Damian www.ebay.co.uk/itm/251272895122?itmmeta=01HV1KXK0CKM8ZMJDZAVKN7K4H&hash=item3a81081a92:g:iBMAAMXQq8BQ6yow&itmprp=enc%3AAQAJAAAA8GYB16XU8xJR2R2H7wuSCwl%2FP7x%2FaF9dfKLTqZudapwPtsZnAOvlABa1kxdtqFK5YfC%2FzLsGWMYkAiydPLfBjJyh3%2BcMGbPKG56HnhIO0ag68JMTlH%2F30nUU4DDJLSp71WOfJBNWjwEAIXla1Jmb%2ByezIiHJLZPehuSmPlTx8%2Fp38ewrWjEQ5DReCoYp%2BRvXwvylMtNPf1%2FgQ8sURlrb6m9wk2D5q1DxyvELwquLky8yjCTLh6OjSrhkMohaJZTgAixvGZTcSm7F6Vpw6BXq6zxV%2FSVzAoHIf5b6%2Bam3hYTZIr9%2F1Wt8AAwCQnoo6E8w%2BA%3D%3D%7Ctkp%3ABk9SR6Kw9rPYYw

[@Punisher9419]

So the 4.2 cats just use any of the flange type cats online? It's just that they all say they are for 4.0 cars and not the 4.2. I also asked AutoReserve in the UK and they where pretty sure the 4.0 cats won't fit the 4.2 cars. Maybe they are just wrong? I just don't want to buy some cats for my car only to find they don't fit.

[@ODRModurol]

@Punisher9419, Autoreserve are correct, 4.2 uses CAT's with flanges connecting to the Middle silencer and the 4.0 just uses pipe inside pipe. Other than that the CAT's are the same but if you aren't changing the middle silencer then it's not a direct swop. Recommend looking underneath your car to confirm the CAT's have pipe flanges. Hope that helps, regards Damian.

[@Punisher9419]

@@ODRModurol Yea mine are the flange type so I can just use the flange cats and they should work I guess. Not sure if the bracket will work though but I'm not sure how necassery that is?

[@Karl.YouTube]

@@Punisher9419 Did you ever find a solution to this please? I have the same problem