SO I had a leak coming from the housing and looked inside where the spring fits and saw a crack. So giving JBWeld a shot to see if it will fix it and if not I will need to replace the whole thing and luckily I saved the one off my parts car. However, I am trying to find the gasket that fits up against the engine block. It is square. Anyone know where I can get one.

 

https://parts.jaguarlandroverclassic.../brand/jaguar/

 

So I replaced the main housing and the other side where the hose comes in. Looked at the housing and the crack that I thought I saw was a seem. But I went ahead and replace the housing and the other side. Got it all put together, I think, and behold it still leaks right at the bottom bolt...same place it was before. SO I am wondering if I have it back together correctly. Which side of the thermostat does the gasket go on....towards the engine or towards the radiator? I am thinking that when they changed out my harmonic balancer that they took this apart and they did not put it back together correctly. Now the gasket I am talking about is the oblong one. I have put 17-20lbs of torque on each bolt and I can still see some seeping on the gasket.

 

Some gasket kits come with an o ring as well (for the XJ40), has this got fitted by mistake?

 

Doubtful. The reported torque is about where the ear breaks if you have the O-ring fitted to the non-O-ring housing........
(Even if you are very judicious in applying the torque to both sides in infinitesimally small increments)

 

Thermostat sits in the groove of the head, there is an issue usually. Gunk in that groove, preventing the stat sitting correctly. Clean that groove well.

THEN, gravity, causes the stat to slide down MINUTELY, out of that groove, and then the gasket cannot seal.

SO:

Stat, gasket, cover, in that order.

I use a SMALL dob of RTV at 12 o'clock on the stat, hold it there for 1 beer, then the gasket, then the cover, all sweet.

 

Yea not using the O ring. I did your trick last night and it still leaked so I went ahead and made my own gasket and going to check it tonight, 24hours, to see if it leaks tonight. I made sure the everything was very clean and like I said above, the other complete set was doing the same thing. SO I am thinking something is up with the gasket. WIll know tonight.

 

Well, the made gasket was a flop. I can't figure this out. My next step is to use the gasket that came with and a little of the ready-made gasket.....and after that...on to the mechanic. Can't believe I can't figure this out with all the more difficult stuff I fixed.

 

1) Place that cover on a glass, window of the house, coffee table,m whatever, and ensure it is NOT bowed. A bowed A "non-flat" cover will never seal.

2) Then use a small steel rule, and ensure the face on the head is also flat.

3) Then check that face for gouges, where some PO has been heavy handed removing old gasket material.

4) Ensure there is sufficient thread to actually hold that cover. The bolts may be bottoming out in the holes, due to crud in said holes.

 

Well that is what it was. The cover was warped. Anyone have one handy that you can overnight to me in the US

 

A sheet of 180 Wet and Dry paper.

3 beers.

Sheet of glass, coffee table if the spouse is out shopping.

Place that cover on the paper and slowly dress it flat.

Depending on the warp, maybe 6 beers.

 

I think your beer count is off a little bit I'll verify that this weekend and let you know. Thanks for the info

 

I've used a stationary belt sander with a fine grit belt and that seems to also work well. Take a very light touch to not remove too much material.