Then I probably used both as well and I am presuming that the extra thickness of the paper gasket is the reason for my leak that the URO folks did not add the thickness to the rubber to compensate for the paper. Because JAG does not use any paper with the plastic housing, just the rubber. Or it could be the torque sequence os the installer, me, since I did not remove the intake to get the torque on the rear bolts. You all know the reason for this one. Could be everyone else thus far has gotten lucky on this .

 

I suspect that is correct. I left the paper gasket off because I suspected it would cause the o-ring not to seal. I also cleaned the surface smooth.

 

Is the part that you get from Ken Karr the same part you get from Welsh?

EZDriver

 

Hi EZDriver
3 week ago, I had our mechanic change the Thermostat housing to the Aluminum one. Also he changed the Thermostat, Radiator hoses (Upper & Lower) and the Bypass hose. I had him use the antiseize on all on the threads.

I have not had a problem with it leaking.

My mechanic actually removed the intake manifold to get access to the two rear bolts on the thermostat housing. He did not want to take any chances with cracking the plastic intake manifold. Also he wanted to make sure he torqued down the bolts properly.

It took him 2 hours to completed the entire job (New Hoses, Thermostat Housing, Thermostat and removing/reinstalling intake manifold.

I would recommend buying the aluminum thermostat housing kit from Welsh Enterprises. Their price and quality is the best.

Motorcar price totals about $116 (housing is $59.14 plus $44.63 for the thermostat plus $11.06 shipping).

Welsh price totals about $74 (housing kit includes the thermostat $65.95 plus shipping $7.85).

Jim Lombardi

 

I have one of the URO Parts housings in my hand and no way I'm putting this on any car. Like others have pointed out the threads are junk and the rest of the piece doesn't ooze with confidence......

I'd be willing to bet it's the exact same piece.

It's a quality control issue, I'm sure some leave the gate just fine. Not worth the risk IMO.

The original factory installed plastic housing on my mothers car has lasted 180,000+ miles so far. I'll take my chances with it. I was going to replace it since I'm pulling the intake anyway to change out heater hoses.

 

Hi hacker-pschorr
It been over a year now that the Aluminum thermostat housing was installed. Still no problem with leakage.

Welsh mfg fabricates all lot of their own parts they sell. They have a well known reputation of providing quality parts.

Welsh mfg Alumium Thermostat kit AJ8-2217-KIT is $75.95 (includes Thermostat Housing and Thermostat).

Jaguar Dealership Parts prices (Gaudin Jaguar Parts. com) Plastic Thermostat Housing parts total retail is $170.95 and $139.81 discounted, then with Thermostat totals $234.20 retail and $187.35 discounted.

Here are the plastic part numbers for the Housing components:
AJ82217, NCA2270AC, NCA2277AA, AJ85875, NCA2246BA
Thermostat is part# AJ86484

The total prices from Jaguar at retail for the plastic (including Thermostat) is almost $160 more than the Welch kit price (and about $110 more than the discounted prices).

Also we do not know what company is now manufacturing these plastic OEM parts for Jaguar now. Are they going to last as long as the ones manufactured 10 or more years ago?

Jim Lombardi

 

I had the same o-ring problem with the aluminum kit I installed. I used a flat block of wood and 220 grit sand paper and smoothed the rough casting on the housing and then installed a flat rubber gasket like the OEM plastic cap. No leaks.







Vern
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1997 XK8