Hi all,

My 2001 XJR has a minor coolant leak which developed a week or so after my mechanic replaced a failed thermostat.

If I drive my car for 45m to an hour she'll leak a small mount, less than the size of a beer coaster. Still, any leak is not good.

Using an endoscope I've traced the leak back to the bottom hose where it connects to the radiator (below).

Other than tightening the clamp, which didn't help, I've been told I'll need to replace the entire baby octopus hose MNC4519AE at AUD$269 / USD$180 (excl. labour).

Any ideas or thoughts would be appreciated before I book her in...

Regards,
Troy.

 

I cannot see how it makes sense to replace the hose, when it is not the hose, which is leaking (or is it?). To me it looks like either the flange to where the hose connects to is leaking (that would mean that the flange has a crack) or that the fluid leaks out between the tube and the flange. If the latter one is the case, then best remove the hose, clean up the flange and the tube inside and put the tube back into position USING 2 clamps! (What's better than a clamp? Answer: Two clamps!
Or if you do not want to go thru the trouble of removing the hose to clean up the area, try if moving the existing clamp (to make space for the second clamp) and then adding the second clamp works already...

 

Why are spring clamps missing?
Plastic parts are supposed to use the spring type hose clamps to ensure that the load is spread evenly around and the screw type clamps have an area at the screw/worm drive that is slightly flattened.

I am guessing that the plastic/resin radiator hose fitting is distorted and now leaks.(it could also be cracked)

I would reinstall the spring type clamps to see if the leak STOPS.

People seem to discard the spring type clamps because they do not have the correct tools.

 

@motorcarman @Peter_from_Australia

Thanks guys. I should note that this car has a non-genuine metal radiator, which may explain why there is a screw clamp rather than a spring clamp.

I'm assuming, in this case, a screw clamp is the better option?

 

I guess in that case it does not matter, which clamp - but as I wrote:
What is better then one clamp? Answer: Two clamps!