I have leant my mother the xk8 because she needs a ride to her job. I dont mind riding the motorcycle I really like it alot. Anyway after her driving home I noticed the radiator fans on. I check the temperature and it seems fine via obd reader. I pop the hood and just about drop a brick because the radiator hose going into the water outlet pipe is as big as my head! I am going to replace the thermostat tomorrow. Is there anything else that would cause this to happen? It also said low coolant warning. After I let it sit for half an hour I checked the cap and it exploded off like mount Vesuvius coolant going everywhere. The car never overheated because she told me she watched the temp like a hawk. After it cooled down I drove it hesitant but it drove fine. Any ideas guys? It really scared me especially after all the money I just dumped into it. She also had to drive it further than its usually driven. I only drive it locally 5-10 miles at a time when cold. She actually had to get on the interstate...

 

The temp. sensor is in the crossover pipe near the thermostat. If the coolant level is below that, it will not detect overheating. You may have been lucky, but be aware that you may end up with a blown head gasket.

 

If it drove OK after you let it cool and refilled it then you have probably got away without engine damage.

The temperature gauge is useless. It's designed to sit in the middle and doesn't move unless the engine is seriously overheated.

Fit the new thermostat and pray the heads are OK.

Graham

 

may want to consider adding the real guage mod from forum member WhiteXKR.

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Thats a very good idea. I'll have to get one. I just did the old boil the thermostat trick and it didn't move. The water was really hot too. About to go pick one up. When I took it out I didnt get to see its position. Which degree does the bleeder valve face? Thanks

 

Bleeder valve at the top.