Well after 6000 miles of ownership, I've got a water pump coolant leak. I assume the thing to do is get the aluminum pipes and replace the plastic while I'm in there? Any advice would be great. After a 400 miles driver yesterday I lost about 1.5 inches of coolant in the reservoir. I would not have noticed at all had I not gotten a quick sniff at a rest stop.

Does anyone know of a good indy mechanic in the Washington, DC area? The local dealership won't install anything aftermarket.

 

I think that replacing the plastic pipes with aluminum while you're in there is a excellent plan. You don't show your MY, but I'm assuming you're out of warranty, given the request for an independent mechanic. Unfortunately, I've been out of the DCA for a while now (and before I owned my F-Type), but you might check with Master Auto (Rockville) or London Auto (Lorton). Not all independents will work on the newer models, but the guys at Master Auto are former dealer guys that went out on their own.

 

It's a 2015 with about 48k on it and my daily driver - Alexandria Jaguar has been good, but I would love to find a decent indy. I'm in Alexandria so something on this side of the beltway would be easier - have you ever heard anything about Top Line in Springfield? Apparently they are a Jaguar-only shop.

Alternatively, how difficult a job is it to DIY? Assume the hood comes off and then remove the intake pipes and then the water pump is basically front and center, correct?

 

You need to remove the supercharger to do this job...I don't have room in my garage to accommodate an engine hoist if it is stuck. So, I'm going to have the Al pipes installed by a local Jaguar shop.

He was reluctant to do it before I pointed out that it didn't involve any electronics stuff requiring the specialized diagnostic or resetting tools.

 

Do you need to remove the SC just to change the water pump?

 

Don't quote me on it but I am fairly sure the SC does not need to come off just to change the coolant pump.
But it makes sense to renew the coolant pipes/tubes/hoses at the same time (and then the SC does need to come off) as once the coolant pump has carked it those problematic plastic parts can't be too far behind.

 

My Indie said it only makes sense to replace water pump when replacing upper and lower pipes. I went along but he bought from dealer as car was apart. I would have overnighted from the pipes vendor!

 

Well, I'm in NoVa now, but moved from Hampton Roads. I bought my F up here but I take mine to Abacus Racing in VB. I am very happy with them. Rob is the contact person. He also works on my Evoque. I replaced the Y pipes as a precaution and had them do the water pump too. You do not have to remove the supercharger to do the water pump. You don't have to remove the hood (bonnet)

 

I actually just got off the phone with Georgetown Auto Service in Alexandria, about 4 blocks from my house. The owner has replaced the pipes and water pump in two F-Types and is fine with ordering the aluminum pipes and using them. He came highly recommended by a friend with a BMW M3 that this guy's services.

Anyways, I'm taking a leap of faith after the phone call and email communication. Hopefully it goes well.

 

Got a call from the mechanic and the leak is under the supercharger, so I am replacing the plastic pipes with aluminum and he's going to swap out the water pump because it's right there anyways.

Turns out this guy has done "dozens" of these fixes in Range Rovers, including his own. He was very excited to learn that aluminum pipes are available. Just waiting on the estimate now.

 

When the coolant pump was replaced in my AJ126 engined XF the dealer had to remove the supercharger. Maybe there are indies who can change the pump without removing the supercharger.