I've identified three leaks, they're all very different and yet very alike. The similarities are that they are very very slow. These leaks take a few months before I have to top off with their respective fluids. The leaks are: coolant fluid, engine oil, and power steering fluid.

Power steering fluid: The car is leaking power steering fluid from a hose that connects to the rack and pinion. It's a small hose that is leaking at the seam. It doesn't seem too complicated, I just need to jack up the car to work on it. Now, I've realized that the reason my stabilizer bar bushings and control arm bushings on the passenger side were shot is because of the slow power steering fluid leak. It was degrading the bushings!

Coolant leak: The leak is coming from the hose that runs from the reservoir to the thermostat housing. It's leaking right at the tip, where it's connected to the housing with a clamp. (the screw on type). It seems the hose is mostly intact. I haven't removed it yet to see what the damage really is.

Engine oil: This one is a little harder for me to identify. It must be a gasket or a combination of gaskets. All I can say is that my oil pan seems to be leaking oil through the seams.

The first two seem like relatively easy and inexpensive fixes. I'm not so sure about the motor oil leak.

Finally, I'm wondering about the transmission oil. I don't believe the sealed for life crap Jaguar gives us about it. Is there a way of checking it? I remember something like 5 years ago that my dad had to take the car to the shop because of a transmission fault. It was a result of the car leaking the transmission oil and having a gear skip a tooth.

 

If it was mine, I'd prioritise the fix order as:

1. Coolant
2. Power Steering
3. Engine

Perhaps I'm paranoid about risking overheating but the slightest coolant leak gets my attention immediately!

The power steering fluid is slowly damaging non-resistant rubber parts but the engine oil leak is probably only an unsightly nuisance.

You've answered you own question about the transmission fluid. Even if it was changed and not just topped up five years ago, it'll be ready for a change now.

Graham

 

That's actually the order I had planned, Graham.

Obviously the coolant leak is the easiest to work with, so it'll be the first one I fix.

So, there's no way of telling what my tranny oil level is at? How much does it usually cost to have Jaguar perform the job? I haven't seen any indie Jag specialists around here.

 

My Jaguar specialist charged me ~£300 to service the transmission, including a new gasket of course.

 

GGG + 1

I am paranoid about overheating as well, since I had to replace head gaskets after the car overheated. This was discovered in the beginning of the year due to a coolant leak we could not find, and after the timing chains, tensioners, and guides was replaced. Last week I changed the expansion tank, and clamps, and for the first time in 18 months I don't smell coolant!

I had a leak on the oil pan as well. It can wait unless the problem gets bigger.

As to the transmission, do a search on the website. There are a few thoughts...

 

Yikes, 300 quid, that's about $481 USD, I really don't have money for that.

Guys, I'm also paranoid about overheating; thank the universe my car has never overheated. I'll deal with these leaks one by one starting this weekend.