PARDON ME IF I POSTED THIS IN THE WRONG AREA... I'M A JR. MEMBER AND HAVE HAD NO LUCK IN LEARNING HOW TO POST A BRAND NEW PROBLEM. Please tell me if you know how I got about this...

MY PROBLEM:
2004 XJ8 COOLANT LEAK... Traced (visually) to the water pump area... Checked on-line and was informed a 2004's water pump should not be worn out this quiuck (we have 43K miles) and my problem could be just the Thermostat ring leaking.

1. Is the Thermostat near (or in) the Water Pump housing?
2. How do I diagnose (pin point) the problem?
3. I checked "RepairPal.com" and they quoted $288 to $495 to R & R...
4. If I need to R&R the pump, is this an all day job?
5. I exist on Social Security, so the $$$ is really tight... so I wonder if an average mechanic can handle this task... Or is a Jaguar Mechanic my best option?

Any advice would be appreciated... I'm topping off the radiator about every 100 miles... don't know how long I can put off the inevitable. I hate to cause further problems by continuing to drive my baby... Please advise
Cheers,
Kyd

 

Thanks to the chap that moved my post to a better location...

This morning I called my local Jag dealer (Jacksonville FL USA) and they quoted me for a Water Pump R & R...

3 hours @ $124.00 = $372.00
1 New Water Pump $129.00
7% Tax $ 35.07

Total $536.07

Previously, I was informed that with only 43K miles on the Jag, the water pump should still be working fine and my problem may be the Thermostat leaking... That was my original question... How can I discern where the leak is really coming from? It's pretty darn hard to see with all the interfearence overhead. I'll just pray the mechanic doesn't replace unnecessary items.

Any info on pinpointing my problem appreciated... Also, should I replace all the hoses while they are there? I have set an appt for 7 Feb 2012.

Cheers,
Kyd
2004 XJ8 43K miles

 

Kyd- I wouldn't worry about any hoses at this point as they should be fine. I suggest finding a repair shop or dealer that you trust and let them do the diagnosis on future problems. While the internet and forums are a good source of info- they can also lead you on a wild goose chase and end up costing you more money in the end.

 

KYD - Look for a private PM. I'll make some suggestions for your problem that way.

 

I highly doubt its your water pump, I would suspect the upper thermostat housing.

 

Last update on this subject:

OUR COOLANT LEAK FIXED I had all the work done yesterday. It wasn't the water-pump as I originally suspected (Thanks to Steve11).

THE BILL SAYS REPLACED OUTLET PIPE?
Our Total Cost = $764.
4 hrs labor @ $124.
$118 for the part
$84 for Antifreeze.
$15 Hazmat disposal fee.

Cheers, Kyd 2004 XJ8

GUEST STATES HAS A COOLANT LEAK.
HAD TO ADD COOLANT QUITE A FEW
JZ6 REPLACE OUTLET PIPE
4.00 @124- 496.00
AJ89485 PIPE-OUTLET·· 118.63
JLM209723 ANTIFREEZE 84.00
Hazmat Disposal Fee 15.00

TECH PRESSURE TESTED SYSTEM AND FOUND THERMOSTAT HOUSINGSPLIT, DRAINED COOLANT REMOVED HOUSING UNIT AND REPLACED FILLED COOLANTTO LEVEL TEST DROVE, PRESSURE TESTED. AGAIN HOLDS.PRESSURE AT THIS TIME.

 

A quick check on a well-known internet Jaguar parts supplier shows the part number description as "Outlet Pipe" and costs £40.57 or $64.

I assume you used a Jaguar main agent to do the work, hence the rather eye-watering prices and the labour hourly charge. It's the same here in the UK.

Puzzling thing is this supplier claim to have been appointed as an Approved Jaguar European Parts Distributor. It seems this still allows them to undercut the prices Jaguar force their dealers to charge. Strange Old World !

 

Outlet pipe is also known as the thermostat housing.. I replaced mine on my last XJ8.. it took me about 2 hours.. I cant believe they gigged you for 4 since they know what they are doing..

 

For any Jaguar drivers in NE Florida (USA)... let me know if you have a trustworthy independent Jag mechanic in the greater Jacksonville area... I had a wonderful relationship in Silicon Valley (CA) @"Jaguar Purrformance" took my '82 XJS V-12 there often... and all my wife's Jags we had from 1988-2007... Then we moved the NE Florida where Matheny's Jaguar is the only show in town! Cheers, Kyd