Need Coolant leak Advice
 

Changed the spark plugs today and noticed a leak at the thermostat. It is leaking at the base off the vent pipe that goes to the reservoir.

Does anyone know if this vent pipe is molded as part of the housing or can it be removed and sealed?

2005 XK8 4.2 Normal asp. 86K miles

Mine did this, can not be fixed, housing needs to be replaced. Some told me a replacement was avail in a aluminum as for the 97-02 models I never found one for 03 and up so I put on the orig type. Pretty easy job to replace. The back bolts on the mating surface to the top of motor are hard to reach. I found taking off the metal plate on front of the black intake thingy made it easy to reach. The back right one was the bolt hard to reach.

at your miles i would take this chance to replace the tstat also and the rad hoses. Good luch with the drivers side lower hose, KNUCKLE BUSTER!

Thanks
I'll go buy a replacement.
SJ

The Thermostat Housing on the 4.2 litre XK8 is completely different from the earlier 4.0 litre.

Attachment 98342
(click on the image to enlarge it)

The aftermarket aluminium replacements for the 4.0 litre are a great improvement on the plastic OE Thermostat Housings. However, I haven't seen the later 4.2 type available in aluminium. Presumably there isn't sufficient demand ....... yet!

Graham

I figured it the orig plastic one went 96k, so can the next one, or close I hope, ha ha