Drove the car (01 VDP) for like 3 miles on the highway and I got the low coolant warning along with the temperature gauge on red. Pulled over on the exit ramp and the engine stoped. Let it cool off and opened the cap; added about 2 quarts of coolant and the car started to gurgle and spit coolant at me; waited another hour, topped it off and got going; all normal, no warning lights but no heat in the car at highway speed. At low speeds the heat works OK. Bad thermostat? What do you think? Thanks!

 

Thermostat is a good guess. Also the coolant reservoir cap. Did you not have a low coolant message prior to the overheating? That brings the reservoir level sensor into question.

Being from Erie, PA maybe the entire engine was frozen solid.

 

you got an air pocket in the engine and super heated coolant creats steam, and is why it spit back at you. I would replace the t stat, and pop off the brass ck ball on top with pliers before you install and make sure to get all the air out of the system. and maybe your cooling system was partially frozen creating blockage (insert shrug here)

 

Before you took the cap off was coolant leaking ??

Could you check the location that you were last parked to see if coolant leaked?


Trying to figure out the location of the lost 2 quarts of coolant.

 

Found the leak but I'm not sure if it's a quick fix or not...
The lower hose (about 1 inch in diameter) that comes out from the bottom of the coolant tank and goes into a T type connector is leaking around the tank connection. On the tank has a clamp but on the other end looks like it has a stainless steel factory pressed band/clamp. Can I just replace that hose (about 4" long) with an aftermarket heater hose or do I have to buy the whole assembly of hoses? Thanks

 

I am sure that you can figure out how to replace or splice the short hose but the plastic reservoir is also famous for cracks.

 

I sounds like you are speaking of the small tank by the firewall -- with the coolant cap?

If memory serves me correctly that mass of hoses under it is one part -- made up of factory crimped hoses. The hose end that is attached to the bottom of the black plastic tank was attached with a factory clamp -- the kind that you need a tool to remove or good hands and pliers. If it has a band clamp that you can tighten with a screwdriver - then this has been replaced. Many times they are overtightened.

First I would make sure that the the small lines going to the tank are not leaking and dripping down - making it look like the lower hose is the problem. Then, I would remove the tank and inspect it for cracks as well as the hose.

You may just have a bad hose clamp ?

If you can get a suitable hose and the stub coming off of the lower tee is large enough for a replacement clamp I would fix it that way.

No idea what the hose assembly costs.

 

Yes and I can see the coolant leaking around the upper clamp of the hose that comes out of the bottom of the tank. The lower clamp is factory crimped to the plastic T connector. Is it replaceable? Thanks

 

I WAS SO WRONG ! It is the expansion tank itself that has a hairline crack on the side underneath. Where can I get a new one? (not the *******/dealer) Thanks

 

Careful Matey you can get spoken to for using words like that on here!!

Anyway I'd try a scrap yard or ebay for a replacement tank though I have heard of somewhere doing alloy replacements.

S.

 

If anyone knows the details of the alloy tank please post.

 

Me too! Never heard of an alloy tank but would be interested as my used replacement tank has a big patch of JB Weld on it. Yes, I know, JB Weld does not stick to plastic but it has been on there for a year and a half without a leak.

Used tanks, $100

New, discount parts source, $225

Dealer: $325

 

This came up as replacement for Jaguar XJ8:
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/WEAPO...Q5fAccessories

 

Hmmm I'm fairly sure the tank I saw was an alloy one in a similar shape to the ones fitted to the car now. However I did see this nearly 2 years ago so I totally can't remember where I saw it! I'll keep thinking though I may remember.

I have just discovered I need a new Water Pump though.
S.

 

I used some JB Weld after sanding the crack, let it cure 24 hrs. and so far so good; it'll keep me on the road until I get a new expansion tank.

 

I've seen amazing things done with JB WELD.....I've even sealed up a cracked and leaking block with the stuff!

 

Not sure where you get your prices from??????????

Item Number MSRP Core Price Price MNC4400AC $211.50$ 0.00 $171.32 Cooling - Radiator and components - Expansion tank
Expansion tank 1998 - 2002