My independent Jaguar shop says my 98 XK8 has suffered a failure in the radiator that caused coolant to leak into the transmission and transmission fluid to leak into the radiator. Wants to replace both radiator and transmission and hoses for about $8,000. Says neither can be cleaned out or fixed. Also offered to buy the car for $1,000.

Egad. I'm not a DIY person nor knowledgeable about Jaguar service. Just a guy who loves his Jag.

Can these parts be repaired?

If not, how much is the car worth as is. The wheels alone are worth $1,000 and the car has 38,000 miles on it.

What do I do? Please help with any advice. I need to get educated fast.

Thanks.

 

Lordy.

What was the original problem that took you into the repair shop in the first place? Details will help.

 

Coolant warning light. Then found coolant drained out under the car. I thought it was a bad hose. The coolant was also contaminated with a milky color so something was definitely not good. But the car was driving fine and the temperature gauge never budged off dead center, so the engine never over-heated as far as I know.

You can imagine my shock when he told me the car was practically ruined.

Thanks for you reply.

 

Buy a used radiator and a used transmission, install them an go on with your life.

A used radiator is $100 to $200?
Used gearbox is $500 to $1500?

Labor might be 6 to 9 hours?????

bob gauff

 

How was your transmission behaving when you took the car into the shop? If it was fine, a transmission fluid (and filter) change might be all you need, rather than another gearbox altogether.

But I gotta say, even if you DO need another gearbox and radiator, his price of $ 8000 sounds very high to me. I think you need someone else you can trust to take a look.

 

Thanks to both of you.

@Coupe: Yes, the car drives beautifully. No noticeable problem with the gear box. Kinda strange?

The cost sounded extreme to me too. And although I have no reason to doubt the service manager, I am aware that this shop has an interest in restoring damaged cars and then selling them. There might be a conflict of interest or not, can't say. On the other hand, I perceive the shop to be a high end Jag service center and simply replacing everything in sight with new parts is probably "the way they do it," sort of like the original Jag dealer. Only this car has no warranty, so it really stings. And he wanted to replace a whole slew of hoses. Some need it just because of normal wear, some I don't know, but he says they now have transmission fluid in them so they have to go. (really?? I dunno.)

@motorcarman: Since I'm not a mechanic, the idea of just sticking in some used parts is appealing, but easier said then done in my case. I'll have to find a cheaper but trustworthy mechanic, too. Anybody want to make a suggestion (if that is acceptable in this forum)? I'm in LA.

On another note, a broker asked me what I wanted for the car as it is. I have no idea what to tell him. Any guesses or insight would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks so much for your replies.

 

That dealer is taking advantage of you, move on.

Replace the radiator with either a new or used one and have someone flush/fill the transmission a couple of times and let it be. That's all the dealer is going to do if you sell it to them. $1,000 is scrap value and that car isn't scrap yet.

 

Thanks Spurlee.

 

That's what I'd suggest also, even if the tranny does turn out to be bad you won't have wasted a huge amount of $'s and will have the peace of mind of knowing that the box was required.

 

I agree with motorcarman, spurlee, and norri. This guy is trying to rob you. What's the name of the shop so others can avoid it?

 

It was an independent ...

But ...

Another vote for replacing the rad and *multiple* flush and fill. It ought to be:

-- replace rad
-- drain transmission
-- replace filter
-- cooling system flush
-- multiple transmission flushes

Also, use someone else to do the work. Preferably someone who is going to do it with power equipment since this is no ordinary drain and renew. Do not use the original garage for this job or any future jobs.

Make sure you explain to the operator that the ATF is *known* to be contaminated with anti-freeze from a tank failure.

A cooling system flush is also in order since the cause of the failure was a crack or leak between the transmission and coolant parts of the radiator assembly.

The Chrysler TSB dealing with contamination calls for 3 flush and fill cycles.

Avoid driving the car until you can get this all done. It may move now, but it is not happy with contaminated fluids.

Again, what shop is this? What they are doing is an extremely sharp practice.

Your car is not "practically ruined". A tank failure is almost never catastrophic. It is a routine repair on all makes.

 

How about a cooling system repair shop? They fix these types of failures everyday. They know what has to be done and generally deal with people with average incomes. Those small indy shops are often clustered together and if the cooling place cannot handle the transmission flush, his buddy next door can.

Or, even the dealer ... as long as they are not also calling for wholesale replacement.

 

I had the same problem with my 1993 XJS. If the radiator is not leaking externally you can keep it and plug the transmission in and out fittings and install an external transmission fluid cooling coil. Once that is installed drain and refill the transmission with a reputable repair shop. At the same time flush and refill you coolant. This problem could cascade to your heater coil. I am not an expert with the coolant but I do understand if you mix the fluid (orange – green) it could have a chemical reaction that will be detrimental to the cars cooling system.

 

When flushing the transmission there is no need to use the liquid platinum Jaguar fluid at $70 per liter, or the liquid silver ZF fluid at $17 per liter. Ford Mercon SP is what Ford uses in their cars with the ZF transmissions, and it only costs $6 per quart. You can buy it at a Ford dealership. Three complete flushes with a refill will run you $240 in Mercon SP fluid, compared to $680 with the ZF fluid or $2800 with Jag fluid.

 

Oh ... so that explains the shiny stuff in the pan then!

 

Thank you all very much for your advice. I will be speaking with the shop in the morning and now feel better informed about the situation.

I hate to smear somebody's reputation on the outside chance there's more to this than I'm aware of but in the interest of all I'll tell you it's "Just Jaguars" on Woodman Ave in Van Nuys. If anyone has any experience with this shop that is counter to what appears to be the concensus, please let us know.

And, if anyone can recommend specialists in the area, please, please let me know. I'll have to move the car tomorrow and don't want to hop from the frying pan into the fire.

@Gus: The radiator does not appear to be leaking. BUT, you've just reminded me about the coolant. Yikes. Before driving the car to the shop, my friend, without asking, did "help" by pouring in half a bottle of GREEN coolant.

Many, many thanks for your help. I'll keep you posted.

 

Adding the wrong antifreeze for a short time did not cause this problem it would have been in the system for a while.

 

I'd find another shop and not even talk to the other. He will just give more BS.

I recently replaced my radiator. Flushed the coolant system with distilled water three times and then added the jaguar coolant.

 

First, I would get a second opinion.

All you know is that the coolant leaked and it was milky, right?

Ask another trusted mechanic how low is the coolant? Before taking anything apart, be sure that they show you where the coolant is leaking from. If it is a slow leak, it can be topped off and you may drive to another shop. I always carry a pint bottle of 50/50 Dexcool in the trunk.

Depending on the point of the leak, some radiator shops may be able to fix it. But because mine was leaking from the plastic part, it cost me $1,200 parts & labor to remove & replace a leaking radiator with a brand new one. Lucky it did not mix the coolant with the transmission fluid!

 

I wouldn't be too hasty in condemning the shop. Most auto trans. friction plates are bonded with a water soluble adhesive, so when combined with moisture and heat, the adhesive breaks down and the friction material degrades and flakes apart. I think the shops diagnosis is correct, though pricing may be off.