Bought a 2001 XJ8 with a "newer" transmission put in it.

Runs really well, however we've noticed that its beginning to overheat and constantly smells hot.

The mechanic who put it in isn't that great and we had a dealer check it out and I was informed that the vacuum hose was routed to a different area.

They were thinking that when they put the transmission in perhaps they didn't run the vacuum hose properly.

My question is, would that be the cause of overheating?

If so, is it hard to redo that? The dealer wanted to charge me an arm/leg to move it.

I'm not at all mechanical, so this will certainly be a project for me.

Any help appreciated.

 

Not likely a vacuum hose. Check your coolant hoses and I would recommend replacing the thermostat and water pump for good measure as they are not expensive or terribly difficult to replace.

 

Ok... sounds good... do you think that's something I could do? (remember...I'm not good at mechanical stuff...but I can learn) lol

 

I would get it done: the job is really easy enough until some bolt won't budge or breaks, or some other thing breaks off. It also requires a fairly extensive tool kit. Although a quarter inch ratchet, four and six inch extensions and 5/16 (8mm) and 10 mm sockets, a couple of screw drivers and set of water pump pliers or hose clamp pliers are about all that are really required (until something breaks . . . supra). There are ample samples of how to do it on this forum: read through most and you will find what is required. If you decide to change the thermostat tower (recommended if you have the plastic OEM one): let somebody do it with educated hands and lots of special tools (it is a bitch to get off and worse to get back on tight). (need to break the part out with a hammer and chisel; a dremel tool to cut a slot in the bolt heads, a 5/16 or 8mm crowfoot, and lots of ^^^^ing patience -- not for the faint hearted or under achievers in shop class!).

Oh, and there used to a bumper sticker that said GIVE BLOOD, play Rugby: the version most of us on this forum know is WORK On An Old JAG!

the forum thread labeled slow coolant leak, etc. started by Old Mike



http://www.jaguarforums.com/forum/xj...eak-etc-85061/

will cover just about every piece of this job, particularly if you follow the various links. Will also show where to get parts; most are available at Advance Auto Parts, but cheaper at Amazon.com or a variety of other places. All *** u me s that you don't have a blown head gasket. You also need to determine if the fans are coming on once it heats up to about 205*F. If not, could be fuse . . . and the problem solved without much money or blood.

As for the transmission vacuum routing: I think we need to know more about what this problem really is? You said it runs well.

 

It's not unusual for the thermostat to be faulty. Replacing it is easy as long as you don't break the housing by over tightening. The plastic becomes brittle with age, and somewhere along the way you might consider replacing it with the aftermarket aluminum one. If you use the search function you should be able to find instructions with pictures, or wait a bit and some one who knows where to find it will probably provide a link.

 

Thanks Jim, you were way ahead of me.

 

There are no vacuum lines related to the transmission.

 

Yeah, I was wondering about that "dealer" too! Did anyoe point out the "vacuum hose" to you and can you post a picture of it. There is just not a vacuum hose going there, as Rob pointed out.

 

Check to make sure both fans are running. Not too expensive and easy to swap out. Run it around enough to get her warm then leave it running with A/C on. Both fans should run. I had one go and cruising down the HW it was fine, but stop and go in town it would start to heat up.

 

Welsh Enterprises sells the thermostat and housing. You can find them on Ebay. $55 or so. The hoses come from Jaguar. Usually a hot burning oil smell is from o rings leaking on the valve covers. Almost any auto parts store will sell you a water pump with the plastic impeller. Maybe $80. I have not found metal ones. Just replace them every 50,000 miles. Finding an honest mechanic isn't always easy. You will find the answers to all your problems on the forum.

 

Hey everyone! so cool to read your help and suggestions... I can't tell you how much I appreciate it.

Sorry I haven't been on in a while, very busy... but here's an update.

1. I replaced the water pump, but it's still overheating.
2. Next thing I'm doing is replacing the thermostat.
3. The "hot smell" is more of hot antifreeze.
4. I notice that it is using a LOT of antifreeze. But it's NOT leaking.

Any additional thoughts would be helpful.

Thanks again!

 

To clarify- when you use a pressure tester on the reservoir, does it hold pressure? This is the way to find the leak.

 

Sorry I have no idea how to do that.

I'm taking it in soon to replace the thermostat and we'll go from there I suppose.

Thanks anyway.

 

Engine overheated, loss of coolant but no leak visible - does not sound very good. The words head and gasket come to mind.