Hi folks;

While removing the driver side engine cover on my 00 XK8, I accidentally snapped a small rigid line running from the thermostat housing to the coolant reservoir - I'm not 100% sure but I think this is the return line.



After I took these photos I tried to remove the pipe to patch with a rubber vacuum patch, and broke it right by the coolant tank. This pipe is brittle as a dorito and just as sturdy...

Anyways, looking at the line I don't see any reason why I should worry about getting a purpose made "genuine" replacement part; it seems like any narrow diameter rigid pipe (e.g. steel brake line) would do the job. Given that I don't have a Jaguar dealership nearby this would be the preferable option; unless there's something I'm missing...

 

The OEM parts is only about $22.00 at SNG Barratt a forum sponsor with a discount for forum members. Probably cost that for clamps and pipes to rig something up.

https://www.sngbarratt.com/us/#!/Eng...OVERY%20BOTTLE

 

I used rubber fuel line.

 

consider yourself lucky that it was broken under controlled conditions; it was ready to break.

perhaps not going original and using something more durable is a better idea.

 

+1 on a rubber hose replacement.

 

Unless that line has already been replaced once, it is coming up for twenty years of baking on top of I engine - so not too bad going for the original part. It still surprises me how good my car is at 18 years old. For all the stupid mistakes Jaguar made on some of the components on the earliest engines, they did know how to make a quality car, quite possibly to a higher standard than the current generation of Jaguars.

 

I purchased three feet of transmission fluid rubber hose and cut it to fit. You need something that can stand up to the engine bay heat, and this stuff is quite robust....

When removing the old hose, carefully slit both ends with a sharp box cutter blade to enable the hose ends to pull off much more easily and not break the plastic nozzles they attach to....

 

I have an older XK8 with two return lines. One of them started leaking coolant, so I measured the inner diameter, walked into the NAPA around the corner, and walked out with a length of generic rubber hose from their bulk generic rubber hose box. I just told to guy where the line would be used to make sure it would be heat resistant.

I have a lot more faith in this new line, and sometime when I'm not feeling lazy I'll go ahead and replace the second line proactively if I don't just cap it off.

I wonder why they have those plastic sections in the first place. Is it purely for looks? Or do they want to minimize the volume in the line for some reason?

 

the original plastic being rigid held its shape. this was for neatness as it crossed over the engine. it maintained a nice straight line without having to resort to multiple hangars.
it might make sense to purchase a new one and keep it in storage for a future time. perhaps for a future 100 point restoration.