Just purchased my XK* 01 with 41K miles.
On the way home aprox 100 miles within 1 mile of my home low level coolant warning came on. Got home and there was some leakage near the thermostat housing.

I am currently waiting on an aluminum housing and new stat, however i started thinking about replacing the water pump and belt while everything is apart.

Preventative maintenance is one thing but when should I stop, hoses, etc...

 

Congrats, but we were all expecting to see some pix when we opened this thread. It's the law

 

Welcome to the XK Club...and the even more elite '01 club! : ) After a few checks and changes driving this thing will be a blast. Actually I am sure it is already.

I'd say you are very much on the right path with doing the Aluminum housing, stat, water pump and belt. I did also change the upper and lower hoses on mine when I got it. The service records I had showed they had never been replaced and the car was 11 years old in May '12.

Make sure you know the status of the secondary tensioners (ie are they original or the most updated steel ones) and whether you have some type of pressure reduction solution for the convertible top pump. You may know, but the original tensioners are plastic and degrade causing the timing chain to jump and very bad things can happen. The hydraulic pump tends to use more pressure than needed and many here believe that has contributed to leaks in the hydraulic lines (which unfortunately are also plastic and break). Lots of info on what to look for when you get an XK8 in the "sticky's" (the first few posts that are permament at the top of the XK8/R page on the forum). About every square inch of these cars has collectively been combed over by the members here and the help is very generous so enjoy. Jac

 

Congratulations on the XK8.

You'll almost certainly end up doing Thermostat Tower, Thermostat and Water Pump so you might as well get all three out of the way at the same time. If the Serpentine Belt has had coolant leaking over it, it will start to squeal so there's item four on your shopping list.

It also gives the chance to flush the system and refill with the recommended 50% concentration Long Life coolant which ticks another maintenance box for the next five years.

Graham

 

Congrats and enjoy....

This forum will serve as by far the most valuable tool in your toolbox. We have some very talented and informed members here, and you will save thousands of dollars over the long run in maintenance and repairs by staying in touch and asking questions....

 

This should be the forum motto.

 

Congrats on your car. I also have an 01(coupe) but with 20k more miles on it so you really got a steal! I got the same warning light for low coolant about 2 weeks after driving it off the lot. I simply filled up the coolant(Dexron) and it's never come back on again.

In retrospect I did find a leak at the reservoir/fill tank and swapped out a clamp on one of the small hoses connected to it with a screw clamp. Mine still has the plastic tstathousing on it but I can't see a reason to swap it out if there is no leaking going on and I've had it leak tested by my jag mechanic. The one thing that I probably will need is a coolant pump though so when that goes the rest of it will be changed. So good idea to do it on your part. Change the radiator hoses too while you are at it, just did mine after one blew off due to the original clamps wearing out. The two big ones are about 25 each with shipping from Uro parts through Rockauto.com, much better than the original jag installed parts( that's true with a lot of stuff unfortunately in these cars).

You may want to have the tensioners checked while you have it all apart. Mine still had the plastic ones and I simply bought the metal ones on ebay for around 150 shipped and had my mechanic change them for around 700. They were cracked so I'm glad I did it.

 

Welcome to the forum and the wonderful world of XK8 ownership.

Is this a second car (i.e. hobby) or daily driver for you? If you like to DIY you have so much support here, they do everything but turn the wrenches. If you pay someone else to work on your car, then you'll be armed with info and hopefully will get the job done right. Definitely go after those upper tensioners first thing and see what you have.......could save you from having to deal with Big Bill down the road.
For your specific question, I agree with changing out the radiator hoses while you're at it. If you don't have a copy of JTIS, I believe you can download it from a sticky here.

 

I hope the picture came through as an attachment.

Its to early to tell but I'm looking forward to getting the car into good shape.

I've been learning much from the information on the forum, and will find out Sunday (if its warm enough) if its just a small issue. More importantly I look forward to the Spring with the top down.



Mark

 

A rare sighting in this section - a Convertible with the top up.

Waiting for Spring? It's not raining, there's no snow on the ground and I can see a shadow under the vehicle. That counts as a Summer day where I live.

Looks good.

Graham

 

Yes top is up, 28 degrees outside snowed the next morning as well. Although I put it in the garage. Storage wise, is it better to leave to top up or down in the winter?

 

I vote for up as it keeps the fabric taut and uncreased.

 

Congrats on your new Cat. I agree, keep the top up, it also helps keep dirt out, I always put the top up when ever I park or store it. Have fun when spring arrives.

 

Pretty care Mark! That bronze is a rare color, only available in 2001 if I recall. I know of one other member in AZ, Vettegood who also has one. Enjoy it!!

 

Very nice to see such a rare colour. Lovely car.

+1 on storage with the roof up.

 

Hi.

Welcome to the wonderful world of XK8 convertibles. Very nice looking car. This forum is invaluable with lots of helpful experts often knowing more than expensive dealers.
These cars are like beautiful women or racing horses, treat them with respect and finesse and they will be very rewarding. Ignore them, and they will let you down and be very expensive.

 

Beautiful and interesting color combination! Good mileage, too.

You'll get lots of advice on the forum; it has made my ownership really great.

Soon, someone will suggest looking into the situation with the secondary tensioners and also the hydraulic hoses for the top.

My 2000 XK8 is a daily driver, winter and summer, and is very reliable for a 13 year old vehicle. I have found it very easy to work on with good parts availability.

It works better the more I use it, they don't like sitting or infrequent use.

 

great colour.nice car.have fun

 

My wife's 2006 XK8 is a daily driver, and I agree with the concept that these cars seem to hold up better when they are driven routinely. Be aware that they always require a very strong battery due to their massive electrical consumption whenever they are in operation. Once the battery begins to weaken, these cars throw spurious codes and warnings like schoolboys throw spitballs....

 

Nice looking car. I wish I'd bought one earlier than I did.