Recently bought xj8 - 2001 with just some body issues. Engine, transmission etc were taken care good by prev owner (now him and trust him). only one thing- once in 300-400 miles have to refill engine coolant with just less than 0.5 liters (in extention tank was little less than a half). Today I just refilled it and after about 2hours (last 30min- in a traffic with ave speed 15mph, in hot Miami) I've started to hear a noise when I pushed the acselerator. In about 1mile I felt almost no power (speed didn't increase) and after stop on light couldn't move. Switched off the engine, opened a hood and saw some moister smoke (when water is more than 100degrees by Celsius, just dont know the name of it), after minute tryed to start and just got more smoke and dnoise, no running. called towing, they brought me to closest PEP BOYS. when i was showing a car- it started nice, without any voise. for now left car for them till the morning (they were about closing). Waitin for diagnose...

 

and it was no warnings about low oil (when stacked- checked it on hot- looked like no oil) and temperature was a bit more than regular, but far from red zone. only one - soon after refilling got message about low coolant again and didn't pay attention on it cause just recently refilled...

 

Be very careful about overheating the V8 - it can seriously damage the engine very quickly. You can't rely on the Temperature Gauge because it doesn't move from Normal until the engine has overheated. Plenty of threads on the forum about this.

"moister smoke (when water is more than 100degrees by Celsius....." is called "Steam".

If you haven't got a split in any of the cooling hoses to explain the coolant loss, you may have a stuck Thermostat (see item 4) or failed Water Pump. Both of these are regular issues.



As it started and ran at Pep Boys after it had cooled down, you have probably avoided damage. Post here again when they tell you want they think is the cause.

Graham

 

When I first bought mine (2001 VDP) I had the same symptoms. To find out that the previous owner had criss crossed the thin lines going into the engine coolant tank that was also patched with some bondo. Worth a look...

 

Just got a call about car. leaking pump, thermostat and hoses to replace, about $1250.

 

Hoses are about $350 from Coventry West. (complete set with heater
hoses etc.)
A new thermostat with a metal housing is $55 Welsh Enterprises
A water pump is around $75.

The above are prices for just the parts. No labor.

Unless they are changing all the heater hoses etc, the price is high.
Some of the hoses are difficult to change.

You should be ok after the repairs.

 

I would not trust my jag to pep boys, sears, or any other such facility. I would seek out the nearest Jag specialist and tow the car there. I doubt it will cost you much more than you are quoted. Such quotes are usually the result of non-specialist looking at the Jaguar. All he knows is that the car is expensive and therefore sees this as a ticket to charge a fortune.

 

Good advice from members in the US on cost $$ quoted and whether to let Pep Boys do the work.

Water Pump and Thermostat are easy to replace and plenty of advice is available on the forum. Most of the Hoses aren't difficult. Do you have facilities / mechanical ability to do this yourself? It would save you a lot of $$.

Graham

 

Similar issue here, but not yet overheated, if there is no pressure when the coolant reservoir cap is removed, is it loosing pressure/fluid and overheating is possible (coolant at low pressure boils quicker than at high pressure)?

 

My cat is still there - they changed that stuff for about 1.5k, but when were checking they found some more: another hose (the one that goes under collector pipes, between sections of 'V') and top fan was not working. Seft it tho I lere, but now I think I'll fix it by myself plus the previous owner told me that he recently changed fans on SEARS, I just need to check papers that I left in a car. For fan and that hose plus labor they charged me for another 1k. How do you think - if one fan is out - can I use a car for a long distance? I think yes, but I have to move fast enough without stops on lights and avoid traffic jams, not 5-15mph like I was driving when it got the problem))))

 

Get that taken care of as soon as possible, pressure absolutely necessary for this cooling system to operate properly. These engines can be damaged rapidly by overheating.

The needle on the gauge is more like a warning light and will not move off of center until you reach over about 110C (230F), which gives you little warning of impending overheating.

 

PepBoys....??? Why?

 

I guess there was no Sears near by...

 

You can not mess around with any cooling issues with these cars -- it all must work or you risk many problems ... especially in FL!

 

Nice question! :-D Just because it was emergency situation and that was closest shop that was working at that time (Sat, 6p.m.). That happened in Miami Downtown but I'm from Key West and don't know anything in Miami... And I had hope to go back home on car next day... That's only why...

 

Yep - I can understand...

 

wtf damn its cost that much just to correct thermostat? wow

 

Good grief - why resurrect such an old thread so pointlessly? (Or at all.)

 

 

Bob, your talents go far beyond jag repair.