I bought a 1999 XJ8 with only 29,200 miles. When I when I went to clean the car mats, I found a dried white stains and rust stains on the passenger mat and carpeting. They are completely dried and look as it it happened a long time ago. I ran the heater to see if was leaking, but it did not leak. I looked under the dash and could not see any trail of a coolant leak. I haven't checked the coolant level, but will to see if it is low. I'm concerned it is going to leak again.

Questions:
1) Is the heater core in the passenger side of the XJ8 cabin?
2) If the car over heated would it have caused a coolant leak that would not reappear again without over heating.
3) If it is a leaking heater core or hose what kind of cost to repair?
4) Does the dash have to be disassemble to fix / replace the heater core and / or hoses?

Thanks - I appreciate anyone's input and advice.

 

This sounds like an old repair they didn't clean up. I'd keep an eye on it is all.

 

I agree with Highorse
an old repair would only be heater hoses, nothing to do with air conditioning
keep an eye on the engine levels etc.
enjoy and good luck with your new car
Dutchy

 

Thanks Highhorse and Dutchy.

So, the heater core is on the passenger side of the cabin? Cleaned carpeting and ordered new floor mats (rust stains wouldnt come out). Rather take a look at it and not have another leak and damage.

How difficult a job to get to the hoses and replace them?

 

Another source of water is the air conditioning condensate drains. There is one on each side of the transmission tunnel. Since the stains are dry it may very well be from them.

 

restcon I had forgotten about the condensate and avern is correct. I have seen them accidentally knocked off the connection on the evaporator/heater box
this is the workshop manual I loaded it's at the beginning of the Xj8 thread and also info is at the quick links tab top of the forum page (heaps of stuff in there)
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1VSs...ew?usp=sharing
Section 412 page 1798

Condensate (water) which forms on the evaporator fins is drained out of the unit case through two drains, located either
side of the unit underneath the evaporator. The liquid is routed to the vehicle exterior via flexible tubes which are located
behind the firewall heatshield.

 

Thanks, guys. The leak was on the right outside panel of the passenger leg well - forward right corner. there was rust stains and a white residue. If the heater core is on the passenger side (?) I suspect it came from there. Do you have an idea how difficult it is to replace the hoses. Replacing the hoses is probably simple, but getting to them is probably difficult.

 

Before condemning the heater hose you might want to check the under bonnet drain. You can add water above the cowling on that side and check that it is draining thru the hose in the underbody. It can plug up and then cause water to flow into the cabin. It is in the far outboard corners on each side of the cowlinig.

 

It is also possible that your sunroof drain hose has come off at the passenger front side of the sunroof frame and is leaking down the A pillar. Just food for thought.

 

Good call on that one, addicted. I had forgotten about the sunroof drain.

 

Thank you for the suggestions.

Interestingly enough when I shut the door I noticed the sunroof pop up a little - none if my other XJ8s have done that. That just could be from a lose sunroof drain hose. I will check all the drain lines out. Crud and leaves coul have been what stained the carpet. Not rust from the coolant.

From some diagrams. I think I found out that the heater core is in the middle of the dash. Not sure where the hoses go, but doubtful they would run to the right side of the passenger footwell.

 

The heater feed and return hoses are located under the intake manifold and end at a hard steel tube connection at the back of the engine. Having recently had a feed hose fail I can attest to just what a pain the hose is to replace.