Getting ready to change Tstat housing, water pump and radiator hoses. All ready bent a 8mm combination wrench to remove rear bolts on Tstat housing (was pretty easy). So I need to drain the coolant system. Would it be a lot easier to just drill a hole in the lower hose to let the coolant drain out. I know about the drain plug on the radiator which sounds like a pain to get at and ends up making a mess anyway. Also aware of the drain plug on the block to drain coolant. However, I hate coolant spills making a mess out of my garage floor. I figure if I am changing radiator hoses anyway why not just drill out the lower hose and let it drain out. Makes sense to me?

 

When I replaced the coolant outlet pipe assembly on my wife's 2006 XK8 in November 2014, I used a Harbor Freight plastic hand siphon pump (about $6 with a 20% off coupon if I remember correctly) to drain the coolant expansion tank, then pulled the upper end of the top radiator hose and pumped out as much coolant as I could at that location. That was as low as I needed to go so I stopped there. Only a few ounces of coolant spilled, and my properly-placed old bath towel captured every drop. Theoretically, you could keep removing lower coolant hose ends and pumping them as well but if you plan on replacing your existing coolant hoses anyway, then get the front end in the air to give you enough working room, locate the lowest coolant hose, and drill away if you want to....

 

If you're determined not to use the drain plug, why not simply unclip the lower hose from the radiator?

Graham

 

Because they're usually stuck on and take a good bit of twisting and prying and pulling and of course, cursing, then break free quite suddenly, dousing the poor mechanic (me) before being able to aim the hose into a bucket. OP sounds like a plan.

 

Pretty much sums up my work method. Except I would let the engne warm up fully.

 

Shoreguy, Try this read for some good information on this job.
Sorry I missed you, I was down there last month and would have been happy to spend some time getting dirty. LOL

https://www.jaguarforums.com/forum/x...ousing-119815/

Wayne

 

is the 4.2 different to the 4.0? Once you know where the drainplug is, its easy to open/close.

 

My rule of thumb is this: If the radiator drain plug assembly is metal, I am willing to open it. But if the radiator drain plug assembly is plastic, no way am I touching it. We all know that plastic components in Jaguar engine bays eventually break down and cause various levels of trauma....

 

Thanks for the reply's guys. Have had the parts for awhile now and am ready to knock out these coolant problems (more to come I'm sure). I guess I am over thinking this job a bit like I normally do. Have to say, I hate cooling system repairs as they can get pretty messy even taking extra steps to limit the inevitable spills.

Unfortunately, I need to do these repairs in my garage and am just trying to keep the place somewhat clean. Plus, I have a four month old puppy that is my garage buddy and coolant and puppies surely don't mix.

CJD 777 Thanks for offering to help that's really nice of you. Hey if you are heading to North Myrtle/Myrtle beach anytime in the future give me a holla. Cocktails and Jaguar talk works for me anytime. Again Thanks.

 

I have to say this method actually worked out really well. I had a long drill bit and just drilled through the top of the hose and made three holes on the bottom side. coolant was manageable and drained pretty quickly.