I have a 2004 XJ8 x350 4.2. 161K miles.
Runs well, near perfect condition. Was hit one time. Everything was replaced by Jag. It has an error code. Results thermostat needs replacing. I'm concerned that I cannot replace the housing although it probably needs it. I have two photos. One shows where I think the thermostat is. I want to verify. I also think I broke a part and need to know if it's fixable. I have drained the fluid through the valve in the bottom of the radiator. I want to make sure I've identified the expansion tank correctly. I can syphon that if necessary. Do I need to disconnect the battery? I know I need to flush the radiator and I've seen several posts on that. I know I need to burp it. Do I need to use distilled water to flush it?

Any help would be appreciated. I have been to most of the threads but am not sure my engine fits the photos and drawings.

 

XR849560 S Type part on both of mine;

This part is about half the price of the one that came on the car, works great, i think it looks better too.

Think your looking at the power steering fluid fill tank, not expansion tank.

 

I started this as a new thread. I was in the wrong forum but couldn't figure out how to move it. Today I got part of the way through it and didn't break anything else. Still need help with yesterday's break.

I shot photos of everything. I did get some antifreeze on the serpentine belt. The antifreeze from the radiator looked good. I took a photo of what I siphoned from the expantion tank, hoses, and the coolant sensor. It looks bad, looks oily, but smells burnt. Any suggestions. Can I have it tested? Thanks

 

Thanks Wingrider: Then the fluid that came out of it makes sense. I'm still looking for the expansion tank.

Do I just glue the air parts back together, or should I buy another pc to replace it?

 

Does not look like coolant in those cups to me, more like ATF from the power steering reservoir.

 

Agree

 

Replace the water outlet and thermostat as an assembly. The JLR part number is AJ811793, which includes the thermostat and water temperature sensor. The plastic parts can only withstand a finite number of cold to hot to cold cycles before failing. Should the water outlet fail, the AJ-V8 becomes very unhappy when overheated.

Follow the procedure in the Workshop Manual for replacing the water outlet. If you don't have the Workshop Manual, you can purchase a PDF version from one of the vendors on the Internet such as this:

https://www.ebay.com/itm/JAGUAR-XJ-X...NaUTMn&vxp=mtr

 

The item labelled as 'expansion tank' in the original post is in fact the power steering reservoir. Note the icon with the steering wheel on the cap.

 

The files for JEPC regarding login. The username ADMIN and passwords 123, and MTIz won't open it.
Thanks NBCat, JHARTZ, RJ237, and AVERNI told me the same thing on the X308 forum regarding replacing the entire tower. I'm not sure I'm up to the task. I've read all the info I can find and have downloaded most of what is available, I think.
SNG Barratt Cat 350, X350 workshop US004 - 3 powertrain, Publication Part No. JJM 10 02 21 802, JEPC, and JTIS 21.
I've never turned a wrench so this gets quickly overwhelming for me. If I have the hidden back bolts, not sure I can handle it.

I haven't been able to log in to JEPC. It wouldn't take ADMIN and 123. I found the file and have posted it as a jpeg. It wanted ADMIN and MTIz. It failed. I'll purchase the pdf referenced. So far, I haven't been able to see a true photo or drawing of what I have.
Thanks for your patience.

 

The air hose you broke is part #XR849560 S Type part on both of mine;

This part is about half the price of the one that came on the car, works great, i think it looks better too.

 

You show a portion of the expansion tank in your second last photo. The expansion tank is mounted along the top edge of the radiator, offset just slightly to the left side (passenger side for NA cars). Coolant fill cap on top. Small hose enters level with the top, a larger hose exits at the bottom, and a two wire electrical connector on the bottom.

 

Thanks for your help. I decided to take your advice and change the assembly but ran into a problem. Based on my VIN # SAJEA71C64SG00931 (G00931), the AJ811793 won't fit my car. I was finally able to load and access JEPC to find my actual and superseeded parts. Let me know if it will fit anyway. The vendors that have the alum replacements say it won't.
I ordered a new part for the air. I apologize for being such a DA with the expansion tank. Again, thanks for your help.

 

NBCat Thanks for the "Follow the procedure in the Workshop Manual for replacing the water outlet. If you don't have the Workshop Manual, you can purchase a PDF version from one of the vendors on the Internet such as this: https://www.ebay.com/itm/JAGUAR-XJ-X...NaUTMn&vxp=mtr "

I bought one. great info and dwgs. I still have one question on flushing and back-flushing. The Workshop manual says when you have the thermostat removed, use a hose...I assume garden hose. Everyone here suggests distilled (demineralized) water. Is it OK to use a hose, otherwise it is difficult to flush it without putting the thermostat back in and running the engine.

 

Try using an auxiliary pump, to back flush distilled water from the jug or a bucket.

 

Wingrider, I know Distilled Water does not cost the earth (despite the fact that I have still not yet found an outlet selling it here)!
Couldn't ordinary tap water from a hose be used for the first couple of flushes? Surely this cannot do any harm (and would not require an auxiliary pump) providing the last two flushes are conducted with distilled water?
Please tell me if I'm completely wrong!

 

Not at all, just one way of doing a job.
deionized water will also work as well as distilled, if available.
Water from the hose will have corrosive elements in it, unless they are all cleared out, they can cause issues.
Just a suggestion, as a way not to possibly over pressure things while back flushing your heater core, as well.

 

In order to backflush the heater element the Workshop Manual instructs me to disconnect the Heater Hoses from the engine etc. However, there are no drawings or diagrams (that I can find) showing me which hoses these are? Please could you tell me where I might download such a picture or diagram?

 

The water flows passenger,to driver.
Follow the hoses from heater core forward till you can unfasten them where you can disconnect them.
Finding a couple short pieces of plastic pipe, hoses, and clamps, should not be all that pricey, or hard to find, one would hope.

 

So, just to double-check, if I want to backflush the heater I need to introduce the Distilled Water to the Driver Side and drain it from the passenger side?

 

From all the great information gleaned from this site,as well as the Jaguar shop manual,the answer to your question is yes.