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I recently got some components replaced on my car (Jaguar XF 2013, V6 SC) after he dealership noticed a coolant leak. I took this to an independent shop and provided the parts to get the components replaced (the cooling system replacement kit from EuroAMP that includes the metal parts). After about a month, I lifted the hood to check the coolant level to make it was good and it was lower than when I got it back from the shop. So I decided to keep an eye on it. Checked it again sometime later and the level seemed back to where it was when I got the car back, so I was confused as I thought this was odd. I didn’t pay much attention after this as I figured it was good since the level was back to where it was. Fast forward to 08/04/2025, on my way to work which is a 1.5hr drive, I got a coolant low warning. I was close to work, so I parked my car and checked the coolant level. It was really low in the tank, near the bottom. I panicked and immediately wanted to top it off atleast for the immediate future until I could get this checked. The shop had changed the coolant out when they did the repair and used one from Febi Bilstein (G12+) : https://mypartsuniverse.com/products...ntrate-5-liter
This was however a concentrate, so I had to mix it with distilled water. I topped off the tank, about 0.5 gallons.
I took this in to the same shop on 08/07/2025 and they checked for any leaks using a “camera on a stick” (I don’t know what this is called). They said they didn’t see any leaks, especially since this pink substance leaves a sticky crystalline residue. They said they checked for an air bubble too but that wasn’t the case either. We decided to check this out for another week, take pictures and then come back to it. I’m listing the levels checked with the dates below. I’m also attaching pictures (dates and times are in the names and listed underneath them as well) for these:
08/11/2025
Didn’t drive car after getting it back from the shop. Checked level at 8:30pm before moving car a few feet as I had to mow.
08/12/2025
Checked level around 8:30pm again. Looks to be at the same level.
08/13/2025
Checked level at 8am before driving into work. Level looked same as the previous two days but I topped it off. Drove to work (1.5 hrs away). Stayed locally (20mins drive) and checked level after getting back from work. This was the only time when I checked the coolant level when the engine was hot. Level was down but I thought it could be because of the pressure.
08/14/2025
Checked level around 9am before driving to work. Level was a little lower compared to the day before after I had topped it off.
08/15/2025
Taken before leaving work around 7:15pm. Level was lower compared to the day before. 5 mins into the drive, I get a coolant low warning and I just turned around and parked the car at the nearest place I could find. The coolant level was a little higher than when I had checked before the drive, so that didn’t make much sense. I thought there maybe an issue with the coolant reservoir too now but I had got this replaced in 2019 I believe (not saying that this doesn’t mean that it can’t go bad again). I took the top off (saw white steam coming out), waited for a little bit and then topped it off slightly so I can drive it back home before taking it to the shop. Kept an eye out the whole time for the coolant low warning again but it didn’t come back on. The drive back was 1.5 hrs.
Now, my question : what could be causing this issue? When I took it to the shop on 08/07/2025, the shop mentioned they would have to dig deeper but from first look (after checking for a leak) they said they couldn’t tell what it could be. Does anyone have any ideas and if so, can you point me in the right direction? Any help would be appreciated.
Also, just wanted to point out that other than on 08/13/2025 (one time), I checked the coolant level after letting the engine sit for a while (mostly overnight).
Sorry but that was such a long post? You need to pressure test the coolant system when the engine is cold.
The pictures of the coolant tank don't tell us anything?
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the chinese metal crossovers are all garbage. if you’re absolutely 1000000% sure no stains where the crossover connects into the block passage or anywhere else start looking for coolant intrusion into the cylinders
the chinese metal crossovers are all garbage. if you’re absolutely 1000000% sure no stains where the crossover connects into the block passage or anywhere else start looking for coolant intrusion into the cylinders
Unfortunately, there are a number of posts about the replacement of metal crossovers having fitment problems and adding to additional leaks as they haven't been designed as OEM parts. I wouldn't go as far as to say that you have coolant leak going into the chambers (head gasket), but there are tests for that as well. Your choices are limited and considering you have already invested in the shop that did the work, they are the only ones to turn to without spending additional money. Since the cooling systems in our cars are the weakest link to ownership, it can be frustrating, and pressure testing is not necessarily going to find your culprit, but if you are losing coolant at this great a rate, you should have a better chance of finding traces of the coolant somewhere. The borescope camera method can be useful without taking the manifold and everything else apart. Good luck and let us know how you make out.
Coolant reservoir levels will fluctuate slightly. I think what you're dealing with is a coolant Level sensor on the bottom of the reservoir. If you're coolant levels stay in the ranges that you have shown and you're not losing coolant, my guess is the sensor.
My experience it takes a while to bleed the air out of these coolant systems after many hoses etc replaced, even freaked me out when I did my hoses etc. Get a combustion gas kit from Napa and check yourself. You tube is your guide here. If you had to add coolant before the repairs you may have blown the head gasket. Keep monitoring as you go you might get lucky. Forgot to mention dont know if the Jags have the aux elecrric coolant supercharger pump like the range rovers .
Run your heater with the cap of to operating temperature, you'll no when feel heat, then open the bleed screw and make sure coolant flows out then close it
now grab the upper hose and keep squeezing it
You should see bubbles in the expansion tank ,then top of to the max line,
make sure you do this when the car is cold at the beginning
If your serious about bleeding the air out the first time. Just get a vacuum filler. I no longer screw around with massaging hoses, parking on a incline, and cycling the engine from hot to cold and all the BS that people do.
One and done. That's it. I wish I had this tool decades ago it just works so good!
My Chinese rear water manifold has been perfect and I have around 8K-10K miles on it. Your car-your choice.
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I have the vacuum fill adapter, don't even bother with it
because our system self bleed from the cap
All I i do is a basic bleed on members cars over here on the
Forum over 30 cars I've helped members here,with a basic bleed ,no one has issues
.But his issue maybe many different issues, just start with the basic, bleed then pressure test
If your serious about bleeding the air out the first time. Just get a vacuum filler. I no longer screw around with massaging hoses, parking on a incline, and cycling the engine from hot to cold and all the BS that people do.
One and done. That's it. I wish I had this tool decades ago it just works so good!
My Chinese rear water manifold has been perfect and I have around 8K-10K miles on it. Your car-your choice.
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I agree. It makes filling the cooling system very easy. Additionally it vacuum tests for leaks prior to allowing the coolant to be drawn in. While that is not the same as a pressure test, it very quickly shows up most potential leaks before wasting time adding coolant which may need to be drained again if leaks are found..
I recently encountered leaking aux radiators on 2 different cars that I worked on while using my vacuum filler.
Why would you have a vacuum filler and NOT use it??
Yes when pulling a vacuum for the first time it was strange to see all the rubber coolant hoses sucked in! A good point about leaks too. Vacuum is different from pressure and even if it holds fine with vacuum it can leak when positive pressure is applied.
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Coolant Level Low But No Leak
