X-Type 2.0D 2005

Bought the car of my dreams about 3 years ago (well, the make at least - I'd have chosen an XJ, but got an X-Type).
Since then, I've had numerous problems - none big, until last month when Injectors failed.
Now I'm looking to you lot to help me with a new problem.

Air-Con was blowing cold air - wouldn't heat up unless set to above 24 degrees. Also noticed temperature gauge not getting out of blue. No water in the expansion tank/header tank - filled it up and all worked. BUT - coolant level keeps dropping (to be honest, I've only filled it up today, but it shouldn't need topping up once a week).
Can't see any leek, but no idea where the water is going or why it is dropping.
No loss in power at any time, and no "suspect" smoke.
Any ideas?
(It did have a main dealer service in January, and about a fortnight later the Injectors failed - may not be linked, but you can't help thinking ...).

 

Welcome to the forum Rigid Digit,

I've moved your question from General Tech Help to X-Type forum. Members here with the same model will be able to help.

Graham

 

It may be a good idea to have the cooling system pressure tested following a cold-soak.

Have you checked the dipstick and oil filler cap for evidence of coolant deposits?

Perform a search of this forum to find other threads dealing with this subject.

 

Suggestion: Check your coolant reservoir for leaks. These plastic bottles are prone to stress cracks and can leak after years of heat from the engine compartment & the coolant. The leaks can be elusive, since they leak only when the coolant is hot / pressurized, and the hot coolant quickly evaporates on the hot transmission housing, leaving only a telltale orange / pink stain. Fortunately, the leaks are not difficult to detect if you know what to look for, and the reservoirs are relatively easy and inexpensive to replace. Here's a few threads on the topic.

Caveat: My experience is with petrol engines, but I expect diesels have the same coolant reservoir weakness. Someone with diesel experience will let us know if my hunch is wrong.

https://www.jaguarforums.com/forum/x...ervoir-126434/

https://www.jaguarforums.com/forum/x...-maybe-127377/

 

Cheers.
Sounds like a plan.
Not convinced by the Main Dealer Service recently, so will be putting it into local Specilist for a Service/Check very soon.
Will mention the coolant problem.

Somewhat re-assured by the replies, as no-one has mentioned "Head Gasket" which is a good thing

 

You cannot determine how the vehicle is losing coolant until it is pressure tested, or you can identify the leak visually.

 

Happened to me a few years ago. Look carefully at your coolant reservoir. An apparently common ailment is cracking around the plastic nipples where the hoses attach to the plastic tank. New tank is around $150.

 

Have kept an eye on it - got no worse, but still losing coolant.
Started having difficulties starting sometimes, but not regularly.

In with Specialist today - they have done a Pressure Test and can find no leaks or apparent problem.
"Completely bemused" was the words of the mechanic.
Trying a new Cap on the Expansion Tank and see if that yields anything

 

Did your bemused mechanic do a compression test?

 

As far as I know - Yes (can't be certain though).
The heating problem was traced to the servo motors in the blowers in the dash - it seems they are not blowing the air where it is needed, hence never getting cabin up to desired temp. My luddite-techie mind thinks this is why water is being lost as its constantly heating/blowing air but never getting up to temp.
Now running without A/C on to see if it makes any difference.

Oh, and the Turbo Actuator valve is showing a fault code now - this may explain difficulties in starting engine.
(could be related to earlier injector failure?)

Question now is how much more cash do I throw at it, or should I just go down the trade-in/replacement route
(Definitely want another Jag - maybe S Type this time)

 

These links may help you diagnose and fix the servo motors and air dampers under the dash. But fixing these won't fix a leak in the heater core, for the simple reason they won't cause a heater core to leak.

https://www.jaguarforums.com/forum/x...heater-128810/

https://www.jaguarforums.com/forum/x...s-cold-127794/

The coolant system is a closed loop, the only outlet being the relief valve in the cap of the coolant reservoir. Coolant constantly circulates thru the under-dash heater core whenever the engine (and hence water pump) runs. The under-dash servo motors and air dampers direct air either to the windshield, your face or your feet, and also direct air flow over the heater core (when you set the cabin temperature control to HI), or bypass the core (when you set the temp control to LOW). But again, problems with the servo motors and air dampers (which unfortunately occur in our X-Types) won't cause the heater core to leak, nor can you stop a heat core leak simply by fixing the servo motors & air dampers.

 

Cheers - this is stuff I just don't know. Will double-check on the health status of the Heater Core on next visit to the Garage (more open wallet surgery, this time for the turbo)

 

Recently returned from Holiday and car went back to the Garage.

Confirmed as Head Gasket failure (although none of the "usual" tell tale signs were present - no water in Oil, no white smoke etc, just the constant water loss).

Will be selling as Spares/Repair, as I can't afford any more expense.

Posted in Classified section

 

Head gasket replacement on our cars is a relatively painless process, the most expensive parts are the replacement head bolts (replace, don't reuse!)

If you are fairly mechanically adept, you can do it in the drive. Diesel is easier than the petrol (fewer fiddly bits to muck up the timing with), unless you'd rather save the money towards a new ride.

Good luck, either way!

 

Doing the job myself was certainly an option (even with my luddite, clumsy hands and minimal tolerance).
All things considered, and space and time being the prime considerations, I doubt I'd ever complete it properly, and with enough confidence.
(I'm a driver, not a fixer - I can do the theory (sort of) just not the practical)
Sadly, I just want to get shot of it now.

There will be a Jag shaped hole in my life for a time, but I intend to fill it up again sometime