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My engine overheated and I did not realize it until I had driven at least a few miles I wish these cars had analog gauges!! A rather dim warning message had popped up in the center of the instrument cluster but I did not see it right away. What alerted me to a problem was that suddenly the A/C was blowing warm air. It was 95 degrees that day. So I was screwing around with the controls trying to resolve that. Thinking back, the same thing had happened randomly 4 or 5 times over the past few months. But then it would just start blowing cold again. What I now think is that the cold air shuts off automatically when the engine begins to overheat???
So I figured I likely warped a head or worse! Must be a thermostat or water pump. I changed the engine oil, drained the old coolant and refilled it and figured I'd see if it would start and run OK. Fired up perfectly. Took it on some short drives around the block and then progressively longer drives and found a coolant leak at a coupling in the rubber hose between the thermostat and overflow tank. I took this joint apart and the plastic coupling crumbled apart in my hands! I replaced it with an aluminum coupling. Been driving regularly for 2 weeks now in 90+ temps with no issues. I think I dodged a bullet.
My theory is that the deteriorated plastic coupling was partially blocking circulation of the coolant and/or leakage over time may have lowered the coolant level. I had water wetter in the system and maybe this helped save things.
You may not be quite out of the woods yet. The plastic thermostat housing tends to fatigue with time and heat/cooling cycles and pieces can break off internally, obstructing the functioning of the thermostat itself. If this has not been replaced, it probably should be because of age, if nothing else.
sov211, can you post, or anyone, a picture of the thermostat housing that tends to fall apart. I already experienced the above coupling fail the first day of owning my Jag. A plumbers 3/8" copper tube, made a good replacement.
Identical thing happened to me as Sebring on this coolant reservoir line. Recommend removing the clips, replacing the junk "plastic(?)" coupling with a metal one, similar to below, and replacing the clips with new or hoseclamps. Extraordinarily poor materials selection. Coupler can be found in any Home Depot or plumbing supply house for a few $. A new hose is $80+ if I remember correctly
This is pretty much a guaranteed eventual failure where used. Definite PM item worth solving before you have a problem.
Mine fell apart when I moved it, so I got lucky. If it goes by itself under pressure, not sure how fast it'll blow out coolant. Dangerous failure.
Last edited by panthera999; Oct 7, 2023 at 08:33 PM.
Overheating Issue Solved, I think.
I wish these cars had analog gauges!! A rather dim warning message had popped up in the center of the instrument cluster but I did not see it right away. What alerted me to a problem was that suddenly the A/C was blowing warm air. It was 95 degrees that day. So I was screwing around with the controls trying to resolve that. Thinking back, the same thing had happened randomly 4 or 5 times over the past few months. But then it would just start blowing cold again. What I now think is that the cold air shuts off automatically when the engine begins to overheat???
