Definitely looks like a coolant leak. But did you ever smell coolant? When I replaced my y pipe I could smell the coolant before I had it fixed. It was very noticeable. Common problem for these cars.

 

Any point doing this as preventative maintenance?

Also, would pressure testing the cooling system reveal this leak?

 

The photos tell a story quite different from a mere (!) coolant leak: the engine is covered in dirt and debris - look at the cam covers...a coolant leak, no matter how serious, does not create a mess like this. My bet is on flooding.

 

I'm thinking so too. My understanding is that the potentially troublesome coolant pipe is underneath the supercharger. Those corroded bolt heads are above the supercharger and the problem is on both sides equally. I don't see how a single coolant leak could cause that. Aside from that, coolant is designed as a corrosion inhibitor; otherwise the engine would dissolve from the inside out.

In any case, this looks highly unusual and raises more questions than it answers.

 

I think so . Just had a look at my friend joes ftype v6s , I can see that white scum from the back of the engine and also the matting at the side has marks on it , planning on using the inspection camera on it over the weekend , to see what I can find , have advised him to book the car in for a health check with the focus on a pressure test at local jaguar dealer

 

This exactly why I asked if the car was in a salt water flood.

 

The pipe is actually more in front than anything, but it extends lower (closer to the ground). The corroded bolts are directly underneath the black matting, as in they physically touch.

But keep in mind the coolant is pressurized, and theoretically the y pipe could split anywhere (could be near the same height as the black matting)

 

So is the car still (just) under warranty ?
2016 (just) less than 5 years old with less than 60K miles?
If so, what is JLR going to do?
If not what are you planning to do?

Separetly, does anyone know what coolant type would have been used in 2016 - OAT or HOAT?
Same question for MY2021?

 

If the orange stuff is still specified it is OAT.

 

Apparently, both OAT and HOAT come in orange.
HOAT was used after 2012 but may or may not be used in F-Types.
Hence the question. Does anyone know the correct spec?

 

The sticker on my expansion tank says WSS-M97B44-D which is OAT and the stuff meeting that spec I have is orange. Don't know if it changed over the years but you might look to see if the expansion tank in your car has the required spec on it.

 

No sticker but my 2021 handbook specifies STJLR.651.5003.
I have not been able to confirm the match but it is likely the same as Prestone Pink (AF6400) which is identified for Jaguars after MY1998.
Does anybody have an actual coolant that confirms it meets the JLR spec?
Also the manual specs 40% coolant to water, except in cold climates (50/50) which I assume is New England.

 

It's 50/50 in old England ...

 

Well had a poke about but could not see much apart from the dirt around and in the matting , i can now see how the OPs photos are very dirty once you see the top of the engine removed , They could all be like that . also quite a lot of white powdery scum from the outer side of alloy engine at rear . I would say dampness causing this . told my friend to book his car in for a health check and pressure test , he has warranty on it as was a used approved car only bought 4month back .

 

I have been thinking of this problem of the water getting in via the vents on the bonnet /trunk , and have decided to make some kind of shield that can be fixed preferably under the engine cover to top of the engine to divert any rain water away , Materials hard plastic or metal that can be screwed in so not to rattle , will post in a week or two once I get more time

 

A shield can either help or make the issue worse. Think of car covers that hold moisture in, versus leaving a car 'open to the air'. (There is a reason I run dehumidifiers in my garages)

Usage can affect the issue. Short trips in wet weather encourage moisture to remain...longer trips (45 minutes at a time) would heat up the concerning areas and minimize the corrosion.

Any chance that a lithium spray grease could be used to coat/protect that hardware? Could a spray tube reach in without disassembling everything?

 

Does anyone know definitively when transitioned to the improved "Y Pipe" at the factory? I have a 2017 XE 3.5T and have 50k miles on it.... So getting nervous... Thanks in advance.

 

Can someone who thinks this damage is the result of a coolant leak from a split Y-pipe explain the dirt staining and rusty debris clearly shown in the photos? A coolant leak which does not show in a drastic drop of level in the cushion tank yet which results in severe corrosion (which coolant does not foster) - well that simply makes no sense at all.
This car has obviously had a secret life. Sea water, though, could definitely result in such damage. Does the current owner have full knowledge of the car's history?

 

OP - RIP ?

 

It is not true that coolant does not corrode. There are additives in new coolant that break down over time and temperature."As the additives in your coolant that keep it neutralized become depleted over time, the coolant can actually develop an electric charge from passing over dissimilar metals.

You can even measure this voltage with a voltmeter. This small electric current removes metal from engine surfaces leaving large pits or holes and can eventually eat entirely through a component. It can also weld bolts and fittings to the engine and components.
This can be caused by coolant that is too old or antifreeze mixtures that are not close to 50%." https://www.waynesgarage.com/tips/more-tip/antifreeze

Dissimilar metals such as an aluminum head and steel bolts...

Prestone is advertising coolant with "five times the corrosion protection"...

So... Does anyone know definitively when transitioned to the improved "Y Pipe" at the factory? I have a 2017 XE 3.5T and have 50k miles on it.... Thanks in advance.