I recently had an experience worth sharing. Our shop took in a gentlemans XF with a coolant leak. Long orange trail clear down the timing cover and onto the oil pan! Upon investigating, it required the coolant pump replaced. Pretty standard job. Our shop uses a major supplier of European parts (who shall remain nameless) on a daily basis. The pump I received had a cheap paper gasket included, rather than the metalized one with the 3 tabs that we are all used to. The pump halves also had the same paper material used. Long story short, I installed it and pressure tested it. Cleaned all the staining off the engine that I could, etc. All done. About a week later, it came back. Leaks from the paper gasket areas. We warranteed the new pump, and replaced it with the same brand of unit, again with the paper gaskets. This time I carefully applied my sealant to the paper. I completed the install, pressure checked it, etc. About a week later, back again. Customer is getting frustrated. Same problem. Another warranteed pump. And it again came with the paper gaskets. This time, I requested a metalized gasket for the engine side. Again, sealed it and pressure tested it. And this time we drove it further, plus kept it overnight for a recheck. All good. So... have we cured the problem? My advice, if you see a replacement pump out there with cheap paper gasket materials, decline to use it. Stay with the metalized version with the 3 little tabs!

 

Nothing like real work experience to get the best advise!

 

Is this a 4.2L or 5.0L?

If it's a 5.0L, MAKE SURE to lift the intake and replace the plastic distribution pipe behind the water pump!

 

Oh jeezz, I just replaced my water pump yesterday ! and i received one with the paper gaskets, against my better judgement of using the old metal gaskets I went ahead and used the paper ones.

I'll report back once it starts leaking (hopefully not !)