i have a 2002 xj8 sport. i noticed that when the car is off for 10 seconds or more,after running,the overflow starts to pour out at least half a gallon of coolant. has this happen to anybody else. and if so what was it?

 

If the level in the recovery bottle is correct before the spillage, the radiator cap is not holding rated pressure. Try a new one.

 

I just changed the radiator cap and it still poured out after car was turned off.

 

Maybe the coolant expansion tank lines are crossed. One is the air bleed to the radiator and the other is to the atmospheric catchment tank. The lines will swap and the pressure side of the tank will drain into the atmospheric catchment tank and the air bleed line will purge to the wrong side of the coolant cap. I have seen this before.

Just a thought.

bob gauff

 

the lines seem like they are correct. the top line comes from the radiator to the expansion and on the side of the expansion goes to the tank on the bottom. right before it releases the coolant and it spills out,the lines are hot and i can hear the radiator and expansion tank boil up. i have changed thermostat,and water pump. dnt know what else to do.

 

These 2 lines need to cross. Alot of people install these lines incorrectly and the result is what you are describing.

bob gauff

 

thank you! after looking at the picture u shared with me,i looked at mine and sure enough...they were crossed! now its smooth,no problems...thanks again sir.

 

No problem!!

I actually had to save the shop foreman's butt on this one. When the X308 came out in the late 90's he did some work on the 'NEW CARS' and crossed the lines. He went home for the day and the customer came back after hours with coolant spilling everywhere. I looked and sure enough the lines were swapped. I put them back correctly and told the customer that it was probably an air pocket in the system. No charge to the customer (warranty) no penalty to the shop foreman (he owed me after that one) and no charge to Jaguar Warranty for the 'come back'.

I NEVER made that mistake because someone else did it for me and I learn from others

Experience is the best teacher!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

bob gauff