Hi

I own a Jag X308 XJR with 62k. It has been leaking coolant badly. I found the source of the leak. One of the slim pipes which extends from the top of the coolant reservoir and goes to the top of the radiator has a connector in the middle. The connector is leaking badly.

I have uploaded a picture of it. I need to know (1) the name for it so I can order it; and (2) is there anything I need to know about replacing it?

This is my first post but I use this forum every day so thanks in advance. As a side note... best car I have ever driven, seen... my Pride and Joy!!!

 

It's a Norma connector.

You "may" find that taking it apart, lubing and reassembling
takes care of the leak. There is an o-ring in there that may be
helped by the lubrication.

 

One very important thing about the photo. The piece of plastic shaped like a U is actually a special tool that is frequently lost by mechanics working on these cars. You are a lucky fellow to have it. They were originally stored on a fitting on the car at the factory. I found mine under the throttle body on a Norma fitting.
To open the Norma Coupling you push that tool in and separate the connection. Lubing the O-ring is good advice. If that doesn't work plan on getting a new O-ring. I had to replace one a few years ago on a Sunday and a wonderful old time parts guy gave me a ford fuel line kit that had the correct o-ring in it. I will look around the garage and see if I can find the box from NAPA Auto Parts.

It might also be leaking because the tool is inserted too deeply for storage and is trying to separate the coupling. Pull it out and see if your leak subsides. If it does reinsert and open the fitting and lube the o-ring.

 

I am confused; is the tube in two parts? Mine is a single tube, continuous from the overflow to the radiator: about $40 for a new one.

Don't lose that norma tool.

 

Do you have a nice XJR ? If not you have a one piece.
The XJR has a 2 piece pipe that routes under the charge coolers.

 

Ahh, I missed that this was an SC unit. Thanks. Yes, mine is an na XJ8L; wherein the pipe is a single piece.

 

The XJR has an additional line going to the intercooler -- it is a two part pipe with the connection.

Also, the pipe going over to the Thermostat housing has been updated with a small curved rubber hose -- the earlier one had the rigid plastic all the way -- the rubber tube allows for some engine movement.

The lines get brittle -- I replaced them all on one of mine -- a bit over $100 at an online dealer.