Water leak sources
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Water leak sources
I am considering the purchase of a 1988 XJS with a water leak at the rear of the engine. My first thought is that it is a heater hose, but I would think if it is that simple the owner would have fixed it himself. Are there other sources that I should consider? My fear is that it would be something that requires pulling the engine to reach. Unfamiliar with the Jag V12, I am wondering if there are freeze plugs or senors at the back of the engine block that could be leaking.
I know I need to bring a jack and crawl up under the car myself before making a purchase decision, but I was hoping for some insight so I go into it with at least some education.
Thanks!
Rich
I know I need to bring a jack and crawl up under the car myself before making a purchase decision, but I was hoping for some insight so I go into it with at least some education.
Thanks!
Rich
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Joined: May 2008
Posts: 14,803
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From: Great Mills, MD
Rich, it could be so many things. Could be a freeze plug, could be a bad head gasket, could even be a cracked block/head. The options are limitless. Unless you can see where the water is coming from, I would either walk away from the car or only get it if it is a steal. But, probably, any which way you look at it, pulling the motor to fix the problem will be part of the fix. If not, atleast pulling the heads off. Lots of hours of labor to make the fix. So, unless you are good with tools.......
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Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 1,930
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From: San Jose, CA, USA
Hi Rich
As Thermo said, it could be from a lot of different places so unless you can see it, you're going to be taking a bit of a gamble. I had what I thought was a leak between the block and the front timing chain casing...... which would have probably been the end of the car, but it turned out to be a leaking hose that was letting water run down the side of the block. "Luckily" the hose burst a few days later and after I replaced it the side of the block where I thought I had my fatal leak became bone dry and has stayed that way since.
Another concern I would have is that if the car is leaking a lot of water, is there a possibility it's been ran dry and overheated at some point ? (Overheating is FATAL for the V12 engine)
Let us know how you get on.... it's always good to hear another XJS getting a reprieve from either the knackers yard, or a V8 conversion
As Thermo said, it could be from a lot of different places so unless you can see it, you're going to be taking a bit of a gamble. I had what I thought was a leak between the block and the front timing chain casing...... which would have probably been the end of the car, but it turned out to be a leaking hose that was letting water run down the side of the block. "Luckily" the hose burst a few days later and after I replaced it the side of the block where I thought I had my fatal leak became bone dry and has stayed that way since.
Another concern I would have is that if the car is leaking a lot of water, is there a possibility it's been ran dry and overheated at some point ? (Overheating is FATAL for the V12 engine)
Let us know how you get on.... it's always good to hear another XJS getting a reprieve from either the knackers yard, or a V8 conversion
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