That looks like the atmospheric overflow tank. It catches coolant that overflows the regular coolant reservoir. It must have filled up and overflowed. The reason it overflowed is either the coolant reservoir cap is not holding pressure or, the cooling system is overheating and coolant is escaping via the reservoir cap due to the pressure. Do you have an OBDII reader ? Or can you tell the temperature of the engine when this happens ? (with a RealGauge or infrared thermometer) Of course you know not to trust the temperature gauge in the dash, right ?

 

+1

It is the Atmospheric Recovery Bottle (see item 5). Oddly labelled as Header Tank in this Parts Manual extract:



I find the Parts Manual diagram makes it easier to trace cooling system components and connections.

In addition to Jim's suggestions, check for a detached or split Expansion Hose (item 4).

Graham

 

hmmm safi..i have no idea what that could be, ive learned so much on this blog its awesome! and danielsand..im not sure if gabriel really wants to work on my vehicle. he keeps saying that he is going to do it and then never calls me back so im a little dissapointed as well as baffled! do you know any other reliable mechanics that can get my kitty up and running again or possibly a reliable shop? please help! ive been waiting around and ive gotten nowhere. just figured id try to see if you would know a place or someone else i could go to..thanks! i cant go to lunch with if my car is not working

 

thanks for the feedback, well i noticed the heat wasnt working properly so i was on my way to a shop to flush the system, and all of a sudden everything messes up, so i guess ill fill her up again and put a new reservoir cap on order. and thanks GGG for the image, it makes it A LOT easier to see where all the hoses are and connect to

 

I asked him about your car yesterday, and he told me that it doesn't start now? I think he has a problem getting the car to his shop. Do you have AAA? If not, (and the car doesn't start), you are going to have it towed on your dime to his shop. He does not have a tow truck. I called him yesterday, and sent him to my wife's work to look at her Tabby, and tell me what it needs done, and he was there in 30 minutes.
If you are prepared to tow it (or drive it carefully), call me and I will coordinate with him. I don't know anyone else that can do it as cheap as he can.


Update: Just spoke with Goddess and Gabriel, and the Kitty will be towed today to the shop. Mechanic had a problem getting the car to his shop (not equipped for mobile work at the residence).

 

When my heat stops, I instantly think low water, stuck thermostat, or non working water pump. And, of course the Pressure Cap as mentioned. EDIT: I also pull over immediately till I know what it is. If no water flow is happening, it does not take long to kill an engine.

 

Waterpump is a possibility. There's a lot in the archives on them. I replaced mine with a metal-vaned water pump a while ago. I know a lot of people now say the newer plastic ones are better than the metal, but I'll live with it.

 

That looks almost exactly what my car was doing the first time, which was crossed lines at the fill reservoir (item 1 in the diagram posted earlier). Whenever I'd park the car, the coolant in that tank (item 5) would boil over and puke coolant all over the driveway. The lines out of the fill reservoir had just been improperly installed at some point. It's sort of counter-intuitive how they're supposed to be. Here's a link to the thread I did that has a good picture of how the lines are supposed to be set up.

https://www.jaguarforums.com/forum/x...-solved-75106/

 

Sounds like you hit the nail right on the head with this one. He just had those hoses replaced.

 

ha, you should see the road entering my neighborhood, big wet stream of coolant, you can follow it right up to my Garage

well the lines seem to be in the correct order, will do more testing either tonight or tomorrow

 

Be careful, because if you are overheating, (Something your temp gauge will not tell you till it's too late), you can be causing very expensive damage to the engine.

EDIT: Jaguar temp gauges are more like idiot gauges. They don't move from the middle position until it's too late.

 

To both Safi and Metalgoddess, this might sound like a silly question, but when you top up your coolant, do you fill to the top of the reservoir, or do you leave about 1" (3cm) free space to allow for expansion? Other cause of overflow could be a defective pressure cap.

 

fred - if I have 1" of air space under my cap the 'Low Coolant' message shows on the dash.

 

Quadmaniac, mine is very touchy in that way too. I suspect it is almost time to replace the sensor. Did you see the recent post about an owner who was having mysterious problems with his coolant tank sensor? I think he fixed it by making it more buoyant with some plastic .

 

Fred, i fill mine up all the way, but then i allow the system to burp the air out, sometimes it overflows, sometimes it doesnt

 

Jaguar recommendation for correct coolant level is to the base of the filler neck:



Checked when COLD.

Graham

 

bad news guys..i found out today that i have a gasket issue..it is going to cost me $1500 to fix this..very upset as i dont have that much money right now to fix my kitty..she will have to sit until i am able to save that much..devastated! simply devastated thank you guys for all of your help..i guess im lucky i dont have a blown engine...

 

if you could find yourself a mechanically inclined friend, ask if he has the time to work on the car, that way all you need to pay for is parts (a lot cheaper) and beer!!!