Make sure to check the plastic housing that the upper radiator hose connects to. I just did one that had blown the hose off due to water pump failure and had taken part of the housing with it. My dad's XK8 would actually show flow in the reservoir tank at idle but his would run hot going down the road but not at idle. The water pump was missing half the impeller. I would just replace them so you'll have peace of mind knowing that it won't happen to your new purchase.

 

I'll have a look at it tomorrow when I'm working on the thing.

 

I just replaced my water pump last week. The original pump had the plastic impeller, new one does not. I didn't have issues with the temp but the old pump did leak.

 

There's not much room to work in these, is there? I've got to do without a jack, so I'm looking for a short cut with draining the radiator (can't get to the plug very well without a jack). Someone mentioned removing the lower radiator hose, so I might go that route. Although I'm not entirely sure which hose is the lower radiator hose--it might be the one with the metal fixture on it, I guess, but I hate to rip into it and be wrong. Advice?

 

For me, it wasn't hard to get to the drain plug. It's on the left side of the radiator at the bottom and (IIRC) it points to the left. It has a nice little handle on it so you can unscrew it by hand. It's plastic though, so don't break it.

 

Yeah, actually, I posted too soon. I got it and I just came back to delete my comment, but it's too late! Thanks

 

Hi
Here is a diagram from the JEPC (Jaguar Electronic Parts Catalog)



Jim Lombardi

 

Miserable water pump won't come off. All five bolts out, etc., and it acts like it's still fixed in there. What a pain. Help?

 

Small pry bar or screw driver. The oring and palstic is seized in the aluminum bore. Break it baby break it!!!!

 

That did it, muchas gracias.

Working on getting the new pump in now.

 

Hi
Stanley hardware company makes a 7" wonder bar (pry bar). I use it a lot to pry off wood mouldings around the doors and windows. It is small enought to get in tight areas.

I also use a small block from a 2 x 4 piece of lumber along with a carpenter's hammer to remove anything that is stuck without damaging it.

Jim Lombardi

 

Do you reckon it's safe to use the old O ring?

 

^^^no, and the later style jag water pumps dont use that seal there anymore. Just a steel sandwich gasket

 

Gotcha. Thanks.

Louisgar, you should certainly change the thermostat yourself. If you follow the directions set forth above, you'll have no issues at all.

It took me about 5 hours to do all this work, changing the t-stat and the water pump, but that's only because I didn't have all the tools I needed and I decided to flush the coolant system thoroughly. I'd think changing the t-stat wouldn't take more than an hour by itself (allowing for inexperience, as in my case).

I would add, if anyone else happens along here and missed the post about this above, the new Jag OES pump comes with the only gasket it needs (on Partsgeek.com they warned that the water pump doesn't include a gasket, so I bought a replacement one, only to find out that it's in fact incompatible with the new water pump). There's also no need for an O-ring for the new OES pump.

One more big THANK YOU! to all of you who responded and who bore with my questions--you've all helped me to know where to find good parts priced reasonably, save a pile of cash on labor, and learn a lot.