Just started driving my 04 XK8 convertible more with the nicer weather, and noticing a coolant leak that seems to accelerate after being driven. I've had the XK8 for 6 months now and the first 6 months no issues at all with coolant, but with the warmer weather I'm driving it more (still nothing more than 10-15 minute joyride around my small town) this leak seems to have started and now it has accelerated.

A couple weeks ago, I noticed a puddle on my garage floor, and then the low coolant light came on. Topped up the expansion tank and the low coolant alert resolved. But continuing to see the puddle on the garage floor and noticed that the expansion tank was half empty after being driven just a few times over the past week.

No evidence of the leak from the top of the bonnet, but can clearly see a drip from the bottom (picture attached -- you can see the orange drip). It appears to be on the right hand side of the engine compartment (and this is a LHD car, of course). Hoping it's a simple hose repair, but reading a lot of posts that show it can be much more than that.

Any advice?​​​​​​​

 

I would start by inspecting the lousy plastic Norma connectors. Quite a few of us have cut them out and replaced them with the appropriate-sized brass hose barbs and clamps. I sourced mine at the local NAPA store....

 

The radiator has plastic side tanks. They weren’t meant to last 15-20 years. Once they crack, no amount of radiator magic in a bottle can fix them.

the aftermarket Nissan radiator is what most people use as a replacement. It’s about $250-$300 most places. Amazon has them.


Z