My Jag gives me that burning radiator smell a day or so before the fan keeps running after shut off.. What I have noticed is that my overflow is empty every time.. I am putting in Antifreeze/water every 40 or so miles. I see no leaks anywhere no spots on my driveway just an empty overflow.. which ofc means no water really in radiator..I would think if the water pump was going I would still see some kind of leakage and when I add the antifreeze all is good again.. but only for x amount of miles.. I am baffled and going through antifreeze like crazy.. It can't be sensors because there is nothing I mean dry in the overflow... I am not sure but that is the only place we add things because Can't find a radiator cap.. but adding it to the overflow should work just as well... I run it for awhile to see if it goes down in case it needs to be topped b4 closing up.. Any help would be truly appreciated..

 

Okay first you have a hose leaking and the exhaust is burning off the coolant causing the smell you are getting. So you need to get a pressure test of the cooling system done to identify the source of the leak. Pressure testing by a radiator specialty shop or do it your self is the best way to find the leak.
The x-type has a LOW volume HIGH flow type cooling system. The fans coming on for an extended period indicates overheating due to low coolant level. Which you already fix by adding coolant.
The tank you are filling is the coolant expansion tank. The x-type doesn't have an overflow tank. The cap you remove from the expansion tank is the cooling system pressure cap, ( radiator cap).

 

But I am NOT seeing any spots any where.. not from siting or even from driving.. i have had people follow me to see if there was leakage.... so???

 

btw avern want to ty.. will look at.. hard for older individuals.. ty

 

if that is the case then why on earth co i not see any spots.. or leakage.. anywhere? idk i think something else is going on.. no way i have all that loss with no indication anywhere.. not on a hose not on the driveway.. where else would i look?? what hose may be the devil incarnate?

 

Id be inclined to think theres a hose leak, whats the weather like where you are? Heatwave that could dry the leak before you look underneath, or monsoon that washes it way.? Think id try parking the car up at night or evening etc ensure the engine is cold and fill the overflow up with water, no point in wasting antifreeze until you've found the leak, then run for a few mins to get the pressure up, then switch off and have a good look round. I wouldn't have thought a sticking thermostat would burn that level of water off. Ive found a few leaks round the back of my engine between the bulk head and engine block under turbo, but mine is diesel so probably slightly different of yours. I also have a gasket leak on the pump that slowly leaks out but again theres residue signs underneath overnight I just CBA fixing yet.

 

deloralie, what Avern1 is saying is what needs to be done. The X-Type has a few known leak points (bearing seal on the water pump, T connection by radiator fan module, and a fitting on the expansion tank). As for why you are not seeing coolant, keep in mind that the coolant is running near the normal boiling point (212F), so, any leakage could easily evaporate in no time flat. YOu get it landing on an exhaust pipe, that will definitely evaporate it away. It could be collecting on top of the engine and essentially dumps off on a turn. Lots of reasons why you may not be seeing it hit the ground.

I would amplifiy what Avern1 has said. I would put some newspaper on the ground and then park the car on top of the newspaper. This will help identify where the new water is coming from and make it easy to wipe up any coolant that hits the ground. Next, remove the cap off of the expansion tank and then start up the car, let it idle and get up to normal operating temperature. You can be watching for leaks to be dripping down to the ground. Once the engine is up at temp, you can attach a pressure tester (can be rented for free at your local auto parts store) to the opening of the expansion tank and press the system up to 15 psig. If you have a black light, you can shine that down in the engine bay. Most coolants these days have a UV dye in them already. The black light will cause the area of the leak to light up and glow. From there you can take a picture of what you think is leaking and we can tell you how to fix it.

Now, there is a possibility (rather rare with the X-Type), that you have a leak in your heater core. That would cause no leakage on to the ground, yet give you the smell of coolant inside the cab. This will be evident by letting the car sit still and idle for 10 minutes or so. There is a collection tray that will collect any water that comes off of the A/C heat exchanger in the dash. It will hold a little bit of fluid, especially if your car is pointed up a hill. But, it will come out when you are applying the brakes as the fluid will run towards the front of the car. If this is your case, you will see coolant coming out from the center of the car, just above where the firewall is. Do not mix this up with the more common issue of the expansion tank nozzle cracking which will put fluid down about the same distance back from the front bumper, but it will do it more behind the driver's wheel (for you) than towards the center of the car.

If you have any questions, let us know. We will explain things and help you atleast know what is wrong with your car and give you some friendly advice on what needs to be done.

 

Or they have thick gray icky oil, lol...

Just a thought

 

ty avern..I will try looking to see what i can find...

 

Also you might have to remove the air box to be able to see the T pipe as others have mentioned because it is very known for splitting and they usually only leak under pressure and it’s right beside the exhaust manifold so as your going down the road it’s drying up as you drive. Mine done it for close to a year before I finally found it and the only reason why I found it then was because it got worse

 

I'm in Florida so between the heat and the monsoons in the afternoon I can see your point...

 

Don't understand either why the leak you're describing isn't evident so you'll need to get it pressure tested or buy a kit on Amazon. It may be leaking at a certain pressure when you're on the road so the only way you'll find this ghost leak is a test. I had a high pressure leak in my X type and finally found the leak in the radiator with the pressure tester. Don't screw around and run dry, X type is an aluminum engine and easily destroyed if overheated