Well Jaguar ownership has been an adventure so far (and I'm only a few weeks in). I was driving home when it sounded like my fan was running louder than normal. When I glanced down at the temperature gauge I noticed the needle was between the halfway mark and red. I pulled over, popped the hood and noticed I had no coolant in the overflow tank. Looking under the car I saw coolant pissing out from down behind the radiator.

I decided to see if I could get the car up a few blocks to safely leave it parked (or possibly make it home). As I hit the next intersection the needle hit the red, some gauge lights came on and I got nervous. I drove it maybe another few hundred feet so I could safely pull it off the road. At this point, what are the chances I did any engine damage from the high heat?

The coolant appears to be leaking from somewhere near the bottom of the radiator, or by the thermostat. I recently had a "Jaguar specialist" (recommended to me by members on this forum) replace all coolant hoses (and thermostat). I went against my better judgement, which was to use my reputable, reliable, local independent mechanic to do the work. Tomorrow I will call my mechanic, ask him to recommend a tow company and have my X-Type towed over to his shop for inspection. I hope it's a simple fix!

 

If it was only run hot for a very short time you probably didn't do any damage to the engine.

With the size of the leak it should be very simple to track down. Since you just had hoses and thermostat replaced, without looking at it, I'd imagine that the radiator is the most likely problem.

These darn plastic/aluminum radiators they use these days don't seem to last like the old ones used to.

 

keep us fellow NY'ers informed and g/l

 

My guess is return line nipple on resivoir

 

My car is the same age and same symptoms last year, and it was the radiator - on pressure testing the bottom 1/4 of the radiator came adrift.. unfortunately the standard radiator seems to have a life span of 10-14 years :-) It's something an independent garage can do fine.. and just so you know - the foam on either side of the radiator which is there to aid the air flow and radiator cooling isn't needed so don't panic if it is not refitted - my x-type has been fine despite none of the foam being upto being refitted. In my case I think it was about £400 including getting the water pump gaskets sorted at the same time as an insurance against further leaks

 

I spoke to my mechanic and he had an interesting diagnosis. Before I go into what he said, let me first explain that his primary language is Japanese (along with all his techs' primary languages).

Me: Were you able to figure out what went wrong?

Him: Yes, thermostat housing broke. New part just come. You pick up tomorrow afternoon.

Me: Thanks so much! You know, I actually just had all the coolant hoses and thermostat replaced two weeks ago.

Him: Oh really?!?! (said in a surprised, excited tone)

Now I wonder if it was just a fluke and a bad part, or if the repair was done sub-par by the Jaguar "specialist".

Thoughts?

 

My mechanic said the car should be ready for pickup this afternoon.

I know a coolant refill on the X requires you to pinch the heater inlet and outlet hoses. Is this standard procedure for most cars? I'm now over-thinking the situation and wondering if my mechanic will miss this seemingly critical step.

 

rjs, I don't pinch the hoses on my car and the system refills fine. NOw, I will admit that it will take a little bit longer to get all the air bubbles out. But, 2 runs up to temp and back down and all is good. Does it help pinching the hoses, yes. Must you, NO.

 

Please never leave this board and, if you do, pass me your personal cell number. You're a wealth of information, a Jaglopedia, if you will.

 

rjs, I simply pass on what I have learned over the years. Keep learning about the cars and you will one day know what I know.

As for leaving the board, I don't see it happening in the near future unless things way south. Now, with that being said, I may be stepping up to a bigger/better jag. But, that is still being looked at and researched.

 

Bigger yes....
better.... well time will tell

Good luck in you search keep us posted.