Okay, several of you said this would happen. The thermostat housing on my '01 XK8 ($54K miles) is cracked and slowly leaking. The dealership mechanic confirmed this fact today. But he wants $620 in parts and labor to replace it.

My search of parts via suppliers on-line says a replacement housing costs less than $100. So, is the dealer trying to rip me off? Is the replacement a complicated piece of work? Or is there more to it than just replacing the housing, i.e., the thermostat, gaskets and other stuff should be replaced as well?

 

I have alot of trouble searching for things on here...the easiest way for me to find something in my memory is to search by the poster's name. If you punch in Gordocatcar and go back a few weeks, you will find all the info you are inquiring about.

 

This is a fairly common...and ongoing...problem with these cars caused by a plastic housing. Someone...sorry I don't know who....makes a metal housing that cures the problem permenantly. I would definitely find out where to get the metal housing and replace with that. BTW, $600 sounds like a lot.

 

On ebay:
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Jagua...Q5fAccessories

 

This is one of those aftermarket items that comes from one source, and all of the vendors are selling the identical product. Welsh Jaguar has this kit for about $70.00, and I believe their are other sources with similar deals. I'm always glad to provide items such as this from my list of sources, but there has to be some return for the time invested. In the case of this kit, I don't think I can buy it for any less than you can from Welsh.

Andrew Bernstein
British Auto Care

Addendum: Atom just posted that he bought this kit from Motorcars, a site sponsor: that makes Ken the first guy you should give your business to whenever he can provide what you need at a reasonable price.

 

Yes it was Gorto that had info about replacing the housing. Go to this link https://www.jaguarforums.com/forum/s...ad.php?t=13044. I hope to do mine this spring so I can use all the info available...

Good Luck!

 

Thanks, guys, for the good info. This Forum always works for me. After reading Gordo, I've decided to get a pro to put on the part. I appreciate the straight answers and honest deals I get here.

 

Hey Gus,

Want an exculsive for your site? I just removed a thermostat tower in ten minutes, without touching the intake or bending any of my tools. PM me if your interested, and I'll send you the procedure to post, so long as I get credit for it. Apparently nobody else has figured it out.

 

lol if your replacing it, break it off remove the bolts and sub in shorter ones in back with the new housing. I would also replaced the crossover pipe, cause at that age the plastic begins to soften and when hot you can beak it apart with your hand

 

If I am not mistaken, my friend the Jag tech was replacing one of the cracked plastic housings with one of the first METAL housings on a XJ8 a couple of weeks ago. I think the metal part just became available in the last few weeks. You might inquire about that.

 

While these have been around for a little while, your guy was making the best choice. These kits are sold by a number of vendors, and the price is cheaper than the factory plastic components.

 

Did you get my PM?

 

Hi Gus,

Brutal rained on my parade, but I'll send you the deal when I can take some photos.

 

You need to have a long talk with Brutal!

Gus

 

Believe you me Gus, I am trying.

 

 

Undo the thermostat housing and install a new thermostat. Make sure the jiggle pin is at the top.

 

 

 

Pull harder!