99 XJ8 4.0 L. Having to top up coolant daily, usually about 8-10oz, with minimal driving. Just gone over 200,000kms. I can smell the coolant when exiting the vehicle, no sign of leaks on the ground or in the engine compartment. Coolant sensor is functioning normally. Thermostat tower was replaced with the aluminum upgrade 6 months ago.

Any ideas where to look? Any and all help gratefully appreciated.

 

if you smell the leak and it isn't coming from the tailpipe you will have to look at the whole system pipe by pipe, some less obvious places are hoses under the inlet manifold, heater core and overflow bottle under the left fender but that one would rather not smell, all other stuff is easy to access, you may help yourself and add uv dye to the coolant and look for leak with uv light,

 

A pressure test will probably identify the source. You may be able to borrow or rent a kit from a local parts supplier, or locate a service shop that will do the test.

 

I’m certain the coolant smell is coming from the front of the car. The UV suggestion for tracking down the source of the leak sounds like an excellent idea.

Thank you.

 

I don’t have access to pressure test equipment but have scheduled an appointment with a local shop for June 14. In the mean time I will continue my investigation as to the source, and keep topping up the coolant.

Thank you for your advice.

 

Go to local auto parts store. Buy fluorescent dye (there is a coolant specific one) and.a UV flashlight.

 

Often the water pump; dries up quickly. 'nuther thought: check the hoses from the reservoir tank. They need to cross over or you will be blowing coolant into the overflow.

 

The dye really helps with fast evaporating coolant leaks because it leaves a residue.

 

yep, dye is so good that it taints leaks which normally would classify for attention, but setting it apart, if Garethster can smell coolant then it should be relatively big and easy to find, perhaps having contact with hot stuff like engine or exhaust otherwise smell wouldn't be noticeable outside, most of coolant stuff is routed easy to inspect way so some searching with flashlight or even smelling around to narrow the location should suffice well before 15th