Hi there!

My parents bought me a 1997 XJ8 with the 3.2l V8 and the seller claims it is leaking a little water. My dad says it is dripping from around the cat on the left side... So I assume it is running either down the bulk head or the engine somewhere.

Does anyone know, as I haven't got the car here yet, if there is a common leak area around the rear left of the engine? Or is there anything there which likes to leak/pack up or even can leak/pack up?

Cheers

Damien

 

Leaks are common from the various hoses at the back of the engine, particularly the Norma connection from the octopus hose.
But it is also very likely from the thermostat housing which gets brittle and cracks. The coolant then runs to the back of the engine and drips from the area around the cats. I would start there.

 

Cheers for the answer...

As I've got to drive it 100 km/62 miles before I can actually work on it, I guess I should look first where it is leaking from

Are then many connections behind the engine to the water system? As said, I haven't had the chance to check it yet so I am guessing, as you mentioned the octopus hose, part 6 in this picture, right?



I'll see how full the water bottle is when picking the car up. My dad said it was full. If it is full, then I doubt it will be a huge problem... At least I hope it isn't...

 

RJ, your hint about the thermostat housing was spot on. Oddly, it only leaks when the car stands... When it is driving it doesn't lose anything

So, new improved metal thermostat housing is ordered. Will be replaced asap

Cheers again!

 

When you replace it just break the old one into pieces, makes it easy to remove the rear bolts. If you can obtain socket head screws and ball drive it will make replacement of the rear screws easy.

 

He meant easier! Tightening those rear bolts is a pain. Socket head screws makes tightening (they don't have to be all that tight, there is a seal) a whole lot easier. Otherwise, you need to raise the intake manifold to access the rear bolts. Let me assure you, all the advise of what wrenches will do the job is BS! Nothing gets in there to allow clean access to the bolt and more than 5 degree swing.

Lots of threads: the one that shows the socket head bolts is the way to go.

 

Okay... Working in tight areas is my specialty My XJ-S has screws covered by screws covered by screws So I'll get that somehow done.

The metal thermostathousing is already ordered. I hope it will be here before the weekend. Oddly, the housing only leaks in traffic. When driving and engine off it is bone dry... Probably a pressure thing and the efficient heating of that engine...

 

Hi,

Got to drag this up again. I've done the thermostat housing. Nice and new metal one now. But I till have a leak in the V. As far as I can see, there is a hose which rums the full length of the hose. One end is connected to the water rail (from thermostat to radiator). The other end is hard to trace.

Where does this hose go? Or better where does it come from (seems like a return hose from the heater!?) and is there anything else under the intake to intake which can leak? I've noticed a sensor on the right bank... But I doubt that is for water, as it looks kind of like a knock sensor...

I'm really regreting buying this car... My enthusiasum was a lot larger before I found this leak...

Damien

 

I understand your lack of enthusiasm at this point. There are two hoses under the intake manifold, both for the heater. I think it is necessary to remove the manifold to replace them, but if not, I'm sure someone will comment.
The knock sensors are also there, as you observed.

 

I'll be lifting the manifold to see what is wrong. Will loosen and tighten the thermostat housing at the same time again... Just to be totally sure. I think it is the return hose for the heater...

 

Best to replace both hoses and be done with it. But you should probably then replace the manifold seals, also throttle body gasket if you remove that. This could get expensive.

 

Found the little bugger!

The lower heater hose (not return, but the feed) has an about 2mm long split in it. Now, what ever the designer thought, but putting those hoses so far down in the V is not a clever idea

At least I can now relax a little... I was dreading a cracked/warped head. *phew*