Just a question because I need to fix this today and the local dealer Gaudin Jaguar does have the part in stock. Have their been any changes to the part? Is it higher quality than the current piece or am I better off modifying the tank to do away with the brittle return tube?

 

No changes made to the OEM part that I've read Torrid, and I've looked.

My two cents, the first one lasted 9-10 years, buy the repacement.

You can then modify your current one and if you like it better, put your replacement up for sale. I'm guessing you'll get a few takers here.

 

I'm a newbie to this and have do direct knowledge of what I am about to say, so take it with a grain of salt. But... I think I read somewhere on here that the original tank had a lower PSI than the replacement part. If any of the hoses are close to going bad (popping, rupturing, or leaking) then replacing the coolant tank with a higher pressure one might be the thing that makes them pop.

 

It is still mildly leaking after my repair. I just got back from the dealer with the part.

 

I had the same issue on my A8. Thought it was the spring loaded hose clamps they use.
Finally figured out the nipple was cracked. Tried several glues. The last one JB Weld Plastic Weld. It held for a week. The new tank came in from PartsGeek. Changed last weekend.
The tank from them was 50.00 or so. For OEM. It was not worth taking a chance of having the nipple break off and overheat the engine.

 

New tank in and complete flush done. The flush was simple. I used 6 gallons of distilled water to get pure clean water out of the radiator drain with the heater on full blast. The auxiliary pump makes it super easy to fill. Final step was straight coolant to get the right mix. It's about a 60/40 mix which I usually use in the desert and I'll keep topping up with my 50/50 mix which I've always had to do in the first week after a flush, which I always have to do no matter how well I bleed it.

For piece of mind I'm glad I changed the tank. I noticed the new tank is rated for higher pressure.

 

That was my thought. I don't know if it was the original tank, but it was the lower rated one and based on the yellowing of the clear part of the tank it had to be more than 5 years old.

 

Hi,

I have owned 3 XK8's, and replaced tanks on each of them between 120Kmi and 150Kmi, most recently last week. Some broke at the seams, the recent tank was replaced because the small nipple at the top was noticeably soft, and it was only a matter of time in my opinion.

Given the simplicity of the R&R, I would not hesitate to buy the $45 aftermarket version, as opposed to paying full freight for an OEM tank. And you may be happily surprised to find it includes the level sensor.

All the best,

Jerry