Hi Guys n Gals,

I've got the leaking OEM plastic cooling system parts removed and have been searching this forum for a source and possibly part numbers of the correct aluminum replacements for the OEM crap. I will be needing the usual stuff: Thermostat housing, crossover pipe, overflow tank, etc. Any help would be appreciated along with any other plastic parts that I should replace while the top of the engine is exposed.

Thanks in advance.
Steve (Risctaker)

 

There are several sources for the aluminium thermostat housing and cap. Here is but one example:

https://www.ebay.com/itm/37093367319...3ABFBM3o_s1LFg

There are no metal replacements for the water outlet or expansion tank that I'm aware of. Purchase OEM-rated parts. Here is an example for the water outlet:

https://www.ebay.com/itm/25548529756...kAAOSwpadiVcii

OEM expansion tank:

https://www.ebay.com/itm/36086393784...oAAMXQh8NTc-vi

 

Thank you for that info. Very much appreciated!

 

Check in with sng Barratt

https://www.sngbarratt.com/

before buying any parts on eBay. I believe they have the cooling parts you are needing.


I don’t know the meaning of “OEM rated “ but I have a sneaky suspicion that there is no legitimate entity doing any vetting of parts quality.

I made the mistake of buying a transmission part from an eBay seller that claimed
it was a Mercedes manufactured part (I have the 4.0 L XKR which has a Mercedes sourced 722.6 transmission). The part was the solenoid board that also houses the transmission temperature sending unit, and even though it had the cast-in MB logo, it was a counterfeit knock-off.

As my reward for being gullible, I now can enjoy random “High Transmission Temperature” warnings on my dash display even though there is nothing wrong with the transmission fluid temperature. The genuine MB part no longer available, so now I’m searching for a NOS replacement.


Let my experience be a lesson to all, stay away from eBay parts sellers no matter how legitimate they might seem. Substandard knock-off parts are not a rarity on eBay, they are the norm.

There are several reputable Jaguar parts vendors to choose from, with SNG Barratt being my favorite. And they do offer a 10% discount to forum members who place orders via the phone.

Z

 

Good Advice in general!

 

Sorry to hear about your eBay experience. SNG Barratt good because of quality? They are def expensive

 

You get what you pay for. This forum is full of posts relating the poor quality and subsequent failures of aftermarket sourced parts. It’s no fun to have to do the same job twice or three times due to poor parts quality.

Jaguar branded parts may not always be perfect, but in 99% of all cases they are head and shoulders above the other possibilities.

most of the Barratt parts are made by Jaguar in a Jaguar labeled bag or box. prices are competitive with what a Jaguar dealer would charge, usually less.

Plus there is their 10% discount for forum members. And often they will offer an aftermarket part if there is no Jaguar made part available anymore.


Z

 

Makes sense. Like houses, buy cheap, buy twice. Thought you'd appreciate the 02 XKR for sale out here. 162k, looks and runs great. Asked. He does the supercharger fluid every 30,000, trans fluid every 3rd oil change (overkill? probably DIY).

 

i have essentially the same fluid change schedule. Even though I use full synthetic oil ( Mobil 1 0w-40, or 5w-40 in the summer) I still change it every 5,000 miles maximum. Usually less.

The latest Blackstone Lab oil analysis tells me there are no wear metals (iron, etc) in the used oil and still have 75% of the additive package remaining.

The supercharger oil looks used up at anything over 25,000 miles, and so does the rear end lube. So they are on a 30,000 mile maximum change interval.

I do use a heavier duty rear end lube as I believe the many cross country trips warrants it’s usage (Mobil 1 75w-140). More costly than the spec 75w-90, but worth it, imho.

changing the brake fluid is often overlooked, but every 2-3 years is not too often.

Z

PS what is asking price for the ‘02 XKR ?
my ‘02 coupe had 116,000 miles on it when I became the owner about 4.5 years ago. Now at 177,000 more or less

 

Does anyone know of aluminum replacements for the plastic for 2003+ 4.2L? Seems everything is 4.0L focused.

 

because the 4.2l combo crossover and t-stat lasts like 10 to 15 years

 

I had to replace the coolant outlet pipe assembly on my wife's 2006 XK8 (built in May 2005) in November 2014, so the factory one lasted 9.5 years. The only option was (and still is) the OEM plastic one. Because this car has not been her daily driver since late October 2018 and is doing less than 2,000 miles per year now, this assembly may last somewhat longer as a result. Time will tell....