I just had a thermostat go bad, I think. Got the restricted performance and indication of overheating, but no steam, leaks or anti freeze smell. Anyway figure it is a bad thermo. How tough is it to just remove the housing, pop out the thermo and then remove the check ball, as you suggest? I've done a lot of thermos in other cas before but this one seems a bit different. I will eventually go to the trouble of replacing the housing too if this is absolutely required, but for the immediate term I'm jus looking for a band aid solution and trying to get an idea of the labor involved.

 

its easy, very intuitive once you find the thermo tower...right in front, dead center top. A few hoses to contend with, but easy otherwise. best of luck!

 

OK, but tools & time required? I have very little of both at the moment. What do I need to remove the housing? Thx

 

If you go to my page you will find a link to the housing replacement Jaguar thermostat housing 4.0 xk8

 

That page rocks, thanks! Now I know I don't currently have the time or tools to get it done, but fortunately a shop is right next door to me that can do the work.

I noticed you replaced the housing. Are all the new housings made of aluminum?

While I'm at it, might have them swap that & the water pump. Heard both of these parts are ticking time bombs on my year.

 

Yes the new housing is aluminum and it is a good thing to replace it and you should consider replacing the hoses at the same time. As for the water pump, the term time bomb is appropriate. Do you know if it has been replaced? If not change it if you can.

 

Did the hoses just last spring - should've done more when I had it apart

Water pump has not been replaced, to my knowledge. No way to tell but I suspect not since the car only had 68k when I bought it. Did the secondary timing chain tensioners; seems like now is the perfect time to get the rest of the essentials done, anyway.

 

Got the thermo, water pump & thermo housing replaced; all is well. Total was aboabout $731, which was mostly labor. Would've done it myself if I were close to home, but being away for a few months with the car needing service it is what it is. I did not get to confirm the color of the water pump impeller but presumably it was the latest version that does not disintegrate. Even if not, it should last me as long as I keep the car (the first one went 92k miles).

Interesting thing is the mechanic (and a dealer parts counter guy) both said that Jaguar still stocks the plastic housings, not metal. The metal ones were strictly aftermarket and they stopped selling them a while ago through the local dealer since every last one came back with the same problems - leaks, etc. So new thermo housing is plastic; not sure I really needed it but since they were in there already it was pennies on the dollar. Moral of the story is next time you hear someone talking about "upgrades" be sure it actually is an upgrade.