hi,
looks like my 98 VDP needs a thermostat. Can I replace this part myself? Is there a diagram somewhere or a pdf that I can look at to find the T-stats location? thanks for the help!

 

Hello and Greetings
I just extracted these 3 pages (thermostat R&I) into the attached PDF from the JTIS cd.

You will have an easier time opening these attached files with mozzilla Firefox brower than Microsoft Internet Explorer (It uses a lot less computer resources).

Here is the PDF file:

Jag XJ8 Thermostat R&I.pdf

Also just added the Draining of the Cooling System instructions:
Here is that PDF file:

Jag XJ8 Cooling System Draining.pdf

I think you will like the pictures and instructions.

Jim Lombardi

 

Jim,

Two comments: you have software and capabilities that have eluded many of us mere mortals for years at cut and paste out out JTIS. Second, I have not forgotten your request for comments on your data base. Tomorrow is a day of rest, reflection and responding to you.

I was pouring concrete in a sleet storm yesterday and building a deck on my public service project with snow on the ground today. See GilmerKidsKottage.org

 

wow wow wow!!!!
Thank you so much for taking the time to do this for me! You are one hundred times better than Google!
This is truly a big help. I love this forum! Exclamation!

 

I recently changed mine. Since all my hoses were new, and the housing, although plastic, looked new, I changed only the thermostat. It's a simple job, took no time at all.

Why do you think it's bad?

 

my 98 with 60,000 miles just started to run hot when I come to a stop for more than 30 seconds, or in heavy slow traffic. On the highway, it will run at normal temperature all day long, so it is a weird little problem. Didn't realize highway speeds could cool the car that much without the thermostat working correctly... I thought the t-stat would be the simplest most cost effective start towards solving the problem...any other ideas?

 

avt007,
how many miles on your xj? on a side note, i'm starting to notice an ever so slight clunk over bumps coming from (i think) the front suspension). Admittedly, I'm a little picky, but the noise ruins the ride for me, and makes it seem like the car rides worse than it actually does. Anything common fail suspension wise around 60K? Bushings are my first guess, but anyone feel free to chime in with other suggestions.....this forum has a lot of collective knowledge...

 

Do one or both your fans come on?

 

haven't noticed....what's normal or what should I look for? all I know is that they come on almost everytime the car is shut off, and run for about a minute or more....

 

If the fans run at shut off they are probably OK. Back to the thermostat. These cars, with their aluminum heads and plastic parts, are very sensitive to overheating issues. Couple that with the fact that the temp gauge is really an 'idiot gauge' and that any high temp is really a serious cry for help it is time to do something . . . today.

 

= buggered thermostat!

 

Any ideas on the suspension issue I posed before? Thanks for all the replies...

 

Don't worry about the suspension until you get the cooling problem fixed! You could kill that engine in a few minutes.

As far as suspension issues the most common are sway bar bushing, and wishbone bushings. Both fail more often than the average car. Check out the FAQ Sticky on the XK8/R forum. There is an alphabetical list of issues on these cars. Your drivetrain/suspension is the same.

 

yeah, for sure the thermostat is issue #1, I just thought while I was at it I would ask about the suspension. It's subtle, but as I said I'm pretty picky. I'll for sure look into the XK8 thread.....thanks for the help!

 

It might be a good idea to replace the waterpump while you're doing the thermostat. The waterpumps don't last long on these, unless the plastic impellor original has been replaced by the aluminum impellor one. This is a known issue, and they are not that hard to replace.

 

again, thanks! i'll look into the water pump issue as well....appreciate all the advice!