Going to bite the bullet and replace the coolant expansion tank even with only 45,000 on the clock. Some one recently mentioned they had found a good price on one with a new cap and level sensor included. Did a search and can't find that thread. I'm open to suggestions for the best source of a new assembly.

Thanks guys.

 

I got mine from the dealer, a year or so ago. I just remember them giving me the part and a bill and I asked them if they could do any better on the price and they gave me an additional 10%. Just ask you might get it.

I have had luck with Car Quest on parts they can source thru World Pac. I just did not think to try them on this one.
If you have the correct jag number just call Car Quest an they will cross reference it to see if it is available.

 

Looked up records in 9/2010 the tank MJD4400AB was $203.00 from the dealer. Today's price from Car Quest you can get this tank for $187.00 thru World Pac.

 

06 2006 Jaguar XK8 Expansion Tank - Cooling System - OE Aftermarket, OES Genuine - PartsGeek
$151

 

Mine is from a VW. It's not the right one, it's not pretty [are these things ever?] it doesn't have a Jaguar logo or leaper.

It does work, and it was 10 bucks.

 

Get a quote from Nalley Jaguar, a sponsor of the forum. They give a 15% discount and free shipping. Think I paid somewhere around $150 for OEM Reservoir. It did come with the cap and sensor.

 

Which VW part number...I think that is the best solution.

 

Mex has not been around here since last year. Here is a discount source for the Jag factory part: 1997 JAGUAR XK8 Parts - Direct JPLV Porsche Parts.com

 

Since I bought my xk8 used, I've noticed a faint coolant smell after every use of the car. I finally noticed that coolant is weeping from the seam in the tank, very slowly in small amounts.

Rather than buy a new Jag tank for $150-$250 which will eventually have the same issues, I am thinking about getting a welder to make me one out of aluminum. If he can do a good job, I might recommend him to others here... as I'm sure we'll all have leaking tank seams sooner or later.

 

Worth looking into. I have a friend who does custom metal fabrication and considered this. Issue will be with sensor inside that monitors coolant level. Even if you fit one inside, they fail about as often. Either way, you will need to allow for this sensor or rig an electrical bypass to avoid getting the Low Coolant light on the dash.

BTW, I bit the bullet and spent the $150 on a new tank, sensor and cap.

 

Is the sensor built into the plastic? Or does it unscrew/ pop out?

 

There is a magnetic float on the inside, but the sensor is outside.

 

My question in all this is: Why replace it unless it's leaking? I don't often replace $200 parts unless thay are showing a failure mode. Belts and hoses are good PM things but XK8 coolant tanks are low wear items and I have seen little indicating that they all fail at some particular point. The ones for the XJ8 x350 are another matter, they are a common failure point and replacing them at about 60k is just good PM.

 

Mr. Feathers who reopened this thread has a leak at the seam of his tank.

 

I missed the reopening of the thread. As far as the leaking seam goes, it is likely not a leaking seam but a weak tension clamp on one of the hoses that just dribbles and makes it look like a leaking seam.

 

I wish it were that simple, but sadly I watched as coolant bubbled out of the seam on the side There was no coolant dripping from above the seam anywhere, only through the seam itself.

I suspect many people who "smell coolant" but cannot figure out where it's leaking may have this same issue? It took me a while to notice this because I had to be on the passenger side of the engine bay while the engine was running (not something many people do).

 

I got lazy & haven't made any progress on commissioning an aluminum tank. My car sensed my complacency, so it decided to teach me a lesson

I was driving along in the 100+ degree heat, when I heard a faint pop. About 30 seconds later, steam started billowing out from the hood so I pulled over & stopped the motor. Peeking under the hood, I discovered that the tank completely separated in two (at the seam), throwing all the car's coolant over the engine

Fortunately the tow truck only took an hour to rescue me... in that heat I was afraid that I'd separate at the seam, too!

 

Just hit that link and have a choice of W0133-1657480 at $205.98 or W0133-1657479 at $35.98 both for a 2006 XK8! Hmmmmmm!



I got mine off of ebay $192.50 shipped.

 

I bought new unit in august 2011 from engel imports kalamazoo ( www. Engelimports.com) for us$203.00 plus freight to australia. Part # mjd44000ab
rob seignior,australia 1997 brg xk8 4 litre coupe

 

I, too, have succumbed to buying the factory part (even thought I know it will fail again one day due to this design flaw). I bought it from Jagbits since they were local to me.

The old tank will go to the fabricator, to study and come up with a bullet proof replacement.