Jaguar friends,

My 2010 XK with 105k miles had a major coolant system overhaul in the early summer- had been chasing a series of small leaks that manifested in to a large leak- $5k for new water pump, hoses, plastic fittings and such here in Alexandria, VA.

Car ran fine but I noticed a small loss in fluid and they replaced another hose that apparently had a hairline fracture.

The curious thing is that after 15 minutes or so after initial start in the morning the yellow high engine temperature indicator comes on. After the first two times it did this I stopped and turned off the car, waited and finished driving to work no issues.

The last time this happened was after the upper hose was replaced it did the same thing but I was on the highway. I stopped, cut off the car but realized I had to get off of I-95, I started back up and after about 45 seconds the light went off.

I hooked up my engine code reader and monitored the temperature for my 5 hour trip back to NC- no more issues but it seems like there is some sort of issues when it reaches initial operating temperature.
Is this a thermostat issue, coolant fan signal issue or air in the system issue?

After the coolant overhaul that fans will run for about 2 minutes after parking which was a new occurrence for me.

Something is not right in River City. So after $5k in coolant system, $2600 for a new top, and new tires I would really like to keep this cranky cat running. Any thoughts are most appreciated.

Best,

Ash Worboys

 

Hey neighbor! (I'm in Charlotte.)

It could be as simple as post-rebuild air in the system.
Fairly easy to check by burping it via the expansion tank and would match your symptoms.

Did they replace the coolant temp sensor and thermostat housing with the water pump?

 

Hi,

Thanks for the note - I grew up in Charlotte when it was still a “small town” - off of Rama Road.

unfortunately they did not which I would of thought would have been just part of the repair.

Last week the shop here in Alexandria said it would be $1400 to replace the thermostat which seems high.

Have you had the thermostat replaced?

Thanks for the help.

Ash

 

I just got mine a few weeks ago. Still waiting for my first date with the indie shop. So haven’t had anything done yet.
There are other potential causes, such as the thermostat/housing or less likely but an easy fix, the coolant temp sensor which triggers the fans. But really sounds like that’s working as the fans come on when she thinks the engine is hot.

 

Gentleman get a temperature gauge that plugs into the OBD2 socket! $40.
Your model should be very similar to mine, so if you ever want to change the thermostat, change the PLASTIC housing around it because it comes with a thermostat. "Dorman" is an aftermarket brand.

 

Your XK has a plastic housing. The ‘R’ has metal.

 

Wait, KJ, that applies to the 07-09s as well? Or just the 5.0?

 

With how these cars cooling system are made I went to a vacuum filler and had no more problems. Your symptoms could be trapped air for sure.
.
.
.

 

Gentlemen,

Thanks so much! Going on Amazon and ordering the temp gauge right now-

Also going to order the thermostat and housing and just get it done - tried of chasing messing with the coolant system and the anxiety it provides.

best,

ash

 

Yes, 07-09 XKR has an aluminum housing.

 

So when I see all these “while replacing the thermostat, just replace the entire housing” threads, they mean XKs. Cuz the aluminum XKR ones are more than double the price. Not as cost efficient to do frequently.
Noted.

 

Thermostat repair on my 2009 was about $150 in parts and 5 hours of labor at the dealer, so it came out to about $900. Not a hard job, but I was in a rental house and had no place to work on it at the time.