I changed out the original water pump on my newly aquired '97 a couple of days ago. All of the impeller blades were sheared off. Two were in the water pump, and a third cam out of the block when I backflushed. Under a previous owner this car had new heater hoses, a new thermostat, and the aluminum thermostat tower installed. It had also been swapped over to Evans waterless coolant. I assume most of the above was trying to address the problems due to the failing waterpump. They finally sold the vehicle as having blown headgaskets since it tended to get hot. The person I bought the car from planned on fixing it as a project, but basically never touched it.

Is it possible the extra pieces came out during the thermostat change? For those of you who have dealt with the early water pump ,where did you find the broken off blades? I bought a new thermostat, but need to dig up some more gaskets and seals.

 

The waterless coolant is thicker than water so probably loaded the blades and caused them to sheer off.I understand you should not mix it with water so if you are changing back to water then drain out the cooling overflow tank behind the wheel liner in the RHS wheel arch ( to rear) and re fill to 1/2 full with AF. the blades could be anywhere or no where.

 

Jag isn't the only company to be bit by the plastic impeller problem. My experience was with a John Deere sprayer. After often watching temps go up with hotter weather, a JD mechanic told me to replace the water pump with the newer design with no plastic. There were just enough of the blades left to work if temps were under 80°. I changed the pump and bits of plastic were all through it. The pump is low on the block, and pieces ran out of the block and lower radiator hoses. Smaller pieces go everywhere, maybe in the Jaguar's case, interfering with other pumps and valves.
I guess the plastic was much cheaper, and the service it gave was ok, lasting for 10 years in my case and probably quite a few years in Jaguar's but it's not acceptable when it can cause such a problem in a high performance engine. To me, a functioning guage is so much better, having saved my sprayer engine. It is in the line of sight, which the "idiot" gauge in the XK8 is not. It would be better to have an obnoxious idiot light/buzzer in the Jags than the offset temp indicator, as far as I'm concerned.
On the waterless coolant, all I've read says it's no real benefit and factory mix is more than good enough.

 

If you worry about engine temp then just look up " P10 HUD " on ebay plug it into the OBD socket and read the engine temp with accuracy about $30. You can also set an alarm at say 98 c and it will beep at you.
I mounted mine by the mirror with velcro as the sun can make it difficult to read .
Also will give an accurate speed . (speedos in uk 3% high)

 

Thanks for the reminder on the hidden overflow tank. I didn't realize that was there. I am not too concerned about the leftover Evan's. I don't think it reacts with normal antifreeze to gel like some other fluids. I think it just reduces the effectiveness a bit. It's probably more of a concern to purge the other when switching to Evans for it to work as claimed.

I flushed the system a few times, and ran it up to temp. I appears to be pure water in there now. But when I drain it again to add antifreeze Ill be sure to clean out that tank.

I would just feel better if I had them in hand, and knew the lost blades weren't causing a blockage somewhere.

 

I’ve no direct experience with the Evans product, as I feel it’s a solution in search of a problem.

But a couple of mechanics, whom I trust, have told me that if will indeed turn into a “jell” when mixed with regular coolant / water. I know they speak from experience, so I thought I’d just pass that information on….

the last thing an XK-100 owner needs is a blob plugging up critical coolant passageways.

Z

 

Is the cable supplied with the P10 long enough to reach the mirror. Cable length not stated in the specs.

 

On my jag it was . OBD to door rubber ..up to top and along behind the head lining so yes long enough . Not long enough on my Range Rover so I bought and extension for the USB cable. I find the display shown MPH and temp with large letters and white is the best though you can have more information but in smaller letters.

 

Thanks for this info. I just bought 2. TM