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So, a few weeks ago I'm driving to work and my engine coolant light comes on. No problem, add some coolant. Two days later, on it comes again. I check for leaks, can't find any, add coolant. Last Tuesday (3/28/17) I'm driving to work, light comes on, I pull in and park and the cooling fans come on for a couple seconds...
After work I head towards a gas station (Petrol for my non-U.S. counter parts) and I see a wisp of steam (uh-oh) I keep heading to the station and when I get there and throw up the hood, coolant is everywhere and the steam amounts to the smoke from a volcano. I call a towing service, get dragged home and since it had ballooned to the size of a softball , I buy a new upper radiator hose, figuring it blew. I go to put it on...and it happened...
The end of the water outlet pipe near the thermostat housing literally crumbled in my hand. Yep, I'm waiting on the delivery of the new one. I found the replacement at XK's Unlimited for $35.00 and the seals for $3.50 each. They're due to arrive next Wednesday.
I'll take pictures.
Last edited by marvin.d.miller; Apr 1, 2017 at 11:16 AM.
So, a few weeks ago I'm driving to work and my engine coolant light comes on. No problem, add some coolant. Two days later, on it comes again. I check for leaks, can't find any, add coolant. Last Tuesday (4/28/17) I'm driving to work, light comes on, I pull in and park and the cooling fans come on for a couple seconds...
After work I head towards a gas station (Petrol for my non-U.S. counter parts) and I see a wisp of steam (uh-oh) I keep heading to the station and when I get there and throw up the hood, coolant is everywhere and the steam amounts to the smoke from a volcano. I call a towing service, get dragged home and since it had ballooned to the size of a softball , I buy a new upper radiator hose, figuring it blew. I go to put it on...and it happened...
The end of the water outlet pipe near the thermostat housing literally crumbled in my hand. Yep, I'm waiting on the delivery of the new one. I found the replacement at XK's Unlimited for $35.00 and the seals for $3.50 each. They're due to arrive next Wednesday.
I'll take pictures.
Is this an APRIL FOOLS post?? (see bolt type above)
OOOPS! Thank you MotorCarMan for pointing that out! I was looking at Aprils calendar and counting backwards to last Tuesday. Trust me, it's no joke...here's the pictures. If anyone is thinking about putting off checking into this repair, I would not delay one more day. These pictures speak for them selves. Oh, and by the way, Kitty may have sprung a major leak, but she didn't over heat. All is good! The replacement pipe was only $35.00 from XK's Unlimited. Also, notice the discoloration of the tube, it should be black...
This is with the engine covers off. Everything is visible. You'll need a small mirror to see the bottom bolts for the tube though. This is from the thermostat tower, light finger pushing did this. Again, this should be BLACK!!! Upper radiator hose end. Again, light finger pushing This is with minimal effort with a pair of pliers. I continued until the pipe wouldn't break.
Last edited by marvin.d.miller; Apr 1, 2017 at 11:52 AM.
Reason: Forgot statement about discoloration
Every time some one asks for advice on changing the thermostat tower or hoses I suggest changing the crossover pipe at the same time. It's not any better quality plastic than the other parts of the cooling system.
Marvin, just a thought. I did a friends and ended up with knock sensor codes. Had to take them loose and clear the area on both sides and it went away.
Easy enough.
Well....it failed, my water outlet pipe..dead
