When you click on links to various merchants on this site and make a purchase, this can result in this site earning a commission. Affiliate programs and affiliations include, but are not limited to, the eBay Partner Network.
I’m looking for a little wisdom from the collective.
A couple of weeks ago I bought a decent looking 2009 XF at an auction. This means I don’t know any of the history of this vehicle. Since it’s not running, my wife named it Paper Weight.
I’ve done some snooping around under the hood and found at least one pressing problem. When I removed the plugs and cranked it over, water shoots out from the two center plugs on the driver’s side. This seems to indicate a blown head gasket. Fortunately, there’s no coolant in the oil.
Interestingly enough, the coolant overflow bottle had been recently replaced, with the old one sitting in the trunk…
Are head gasket failures common? Or could this be something more serious, like a cracked head? What’s the common cost for a head gasket replacement, if I don’t do it myself.
I’m trying to evaluate this project, if it’s worth fixing, or if it should simply be parted out.
what engine is it?
Could be an overheated engine due to broken coolant plastic pipes. That's often a slow starting issue which eventually turns into a catastrophic engine overheat due to sudden loss of coolant. I'm saying that because apparently someone noticed a minor coolant leak and started working on the system by replacing the overflow bottle.
These engines do not take overheating very well. If you are in luck its just the head gasket(s).
Thank you for the help with my forensic evaluation of the paper weight!
Looking in the engine compartment, there’s splatter stains everywhere. In combination with the other indicators, it’s probably a catastrophic failure of the cooling system, leading to a blown head gasket and a warped head.
Maybe this one is better as a parts car…
Anyone need a 2009 XF (4.2) paper weight? In the Reno area…
In overall fairly good condition. Inside, the center armrest is torn, but everything else is solid.
I’ll post some ads for it. If there’s no interest, maybe I’ll dive into a head gasket job. Can’t really hurt it too much at this time. Just a lot more time on it than I was hoping for…
Replacing head gaskets on Jags is not a thing. This car is just parts unless you find a donor car for almost nothing with confirmed good running low mile engine and trans that you can pull yourself to ensure you have every stupid part to get it running.
What you end up with is probably the least desirable XFs that nobody will want, so this is all for if you to drive it. Actually the 4.2 non-SC is the best XF there is from the reliability standpoint, but salvage Jags have never made any economic sense, and never will.
Well MminyanUSA its time to do the Frieberger "ROADKILL" fix. For leaking head gaskets he puts a can of Kseal in the radiator and changes the oil.
Then you can drive the car around the block and demo it to any buyer. You could drive it around to few garages for an estimate to fix it. Just keep an eye on the coolant tank and oil level. ..Repeat if necessary....
That's the problem with the whole auction thing? We have seen it over and over. I got it cheap so I can fix it and flip it like the cool guys on youtube.
There are reasons cars are sent to auction and it's not because they are an easy fix? People in the car repair business have all bypassed that car before it was sent to auction.
.
.
.
Paper Weight
..Repeat if necessary.... 
