I received a Nissens radiator for my 2001 XK8 and it looked correct. I began the install today and after I was 90% torn down for the install, I realized I had the wrong part. I took the plug from the new radiator out of the top transmission line and tried to plug the old one to avoid drips. Oops! no fit. The new fitting is threaded both outside and inside, while the fitting in my car is smooth bore on the inside and is smaller diameter.

I called a Jaguar dealer and was given OEM part number MJB4190AF. The RockAuto part I received is MJA4190AF (yeah, one letter off). However, when I checked the forum, I was told get the female TOC version. The MJB radiator shows in the RockAuto catalog as a male TOC connector. Which is it?

Help! Before I order another expensive part and tear down my engine bay again, can anyone verify or enlighten me?

 

Mike,

Nothing is ever simple with Jaguar parts!

It looks to go on both N/A or S/C and VIN:





(click on the images to enlarge them)

Graham

 

Hmm, mine is VIN A16633 so that would indicate MJB410 BC. Don't see that part number anywhere on anyone's catalog. It's not the number Jaguar gave me either. Even less sure how best to proceed now.

Why do they always seem to make it so difficult? And how many engineering changes can they make to a common part like a radiator? They should have spent some of that engineering time fixing the expansion tank issues if they wanted to improve the cooling system.

Thanks GGG for the info.

 

Dealers should be able to reference the current part number from the original P/N MJB410 BC for your VIN if it has been superseded.

Although it can sometimes mean a design change, often an updated suffix is Jaguar's way of keeping track of a new supplier.

Graham

 

Graham,

That makes more sense. Looks like I should order the "B" model then since the last part number was from the dealer and matches the parts diagram you provided except for the suffix change.

Interestingly, the "A" model radiator was a little over $300 USD. The "B" model is over $600. Externally they look the same, except for the transmission fittings, and have the exact same dimensions. That must be one mighty nice fitting on the B model for double the price.

 

Probably bad form to quote yourself, but please forgive me as I am somewhat frustrated. The 2nd radiator came today. I took a quick look and it appears the only difference is that the newest one has a adaptor on the TOC fittings to step them down to a smaller size. To paraphrase the quote above, that is one very expensive pair of fitting adaptors!

I may have to go into the office this weekend as we are moving into a new building, so not sure when I can tackle this project, but please keep your collective fingers crossed that this radiator is the correct model. And that it actually fits.

 

Here are pictures of the fittings. Wide mouth (female?) version is part# MJA4190AF and the one with the adaptor on the fitting (male?) is #MJB4190AF.

Everything I read says the XK8 takes the female fitting, but two different Jag dealers say to use the one I just got, which was listed as the male fitting. And the original one (wide mouth) does not fit my connections. A side note is that the adaptor will screw right into either radiator with no issue. AAARRGH!

 

I have now tried both radiator models listed for my 2001 XK8 from RockAuto and neither have the proper fitting for the transmission cooling lines. This is despite getting the correct part number from two different Jaguar dealers using my VIN#. All of these are manufactured by Nissens, which I believe was the OE supplier.

Either I have a unique radiator, the Nissens models have changed or the Jag gods just hate me. I must admit I am beginning to believe the latter.

So, I can order the part from a dealer at a much higher price in the hope they know which will fit (never a certainty) or take it in for replacement. I might look at trying to buy an adaptor from some plumbing supply with the correct ends as this is how the 2nd radiator came. It just had the wrong size on one end of the fitting.

Net result so far is that I have nearly $1,000 worth of parts I cannot use and a leaky radiator. No joy here.

 

Mike, is your leaky radiator original?, and have you looked into the price of re-coring it.

Just a thought.

 

Thanks for the reply.

I believe it is original, but cannot be sure as I have not yet had it fully out of the car. A re-core won't help as it is one of the plastic side tanks that has begun to degrade and leak.

 

OK, I installed the new radiator and all hoses this last weekend. Turns out the MJB4190AF that works on both the S/C and N/A models does fit my XK8.

I bought a Nissens radiator from RockAuto. A few differences of note for this install, keeping in mind it was my experience, YMMV.

There is a plastic piece (relief bleed tube?) on the upper left hand side of the radiator tank that is blocked on the XK8 N/A version. It is open for the XKR S/C. Coolant will really run out of there fast if you don't know that. Luckily I tested it in advance for you. A short piece of fuel line and an end plug...good to go.

Also the new radiator did not come with the upper and lower channels that the foam OEM radiator seals go into. The RA version left it off and fits further away from the body work. I was able to fit a seal on the top by wedging it in under the top plastic mounting panel. It did not appear to be needed on the bottom.

Otherwise, everything was a good fit and the car runs at normal temperature with no leaks so far. To avoid ordering the wrong part like I did, I strongly recommend using your VIN# to get the correct part number from the dealer.

 

I thought the second Bleed Hose (arrowed in red) from Expansion Tank to Radiator was deleted after the very early models (?) leaving only the single Bleed Hose from Expansion tank to Thermostat (arrowed in blue).



At the same time the Radiator and second Expansion Tank outlets were plugged.

Graham

 

Graham,

I suspect you are correct. This was the case on my original radiator and expansion tank. However, on the replacement radiator it was not blocked. hence the need for my engineering fix. Just FYI, the first radiator I ordered was the wrong model and it too was unblocked.

The attached photo shows the hose fitting under discussion.

p.s. can't seem to get the picture turned upright, sorry

 

Pic fixed....

Glad all is well now and thanks for sharing.

 

Did your adapter not work?

 

The adaptors did work, but remember it came with radiator #2. It is now installed in the blue cat and everything is working fine.

Given time to source it, I'm sure those two adaptors could be found for a LOT less money. They were only threaded brass step-down fittings. And the two radiators were exactly the same otherwise.

 

I ordered a radiator from RockAuto for $290 for my '01 XK8, but was surprised by the wrong fitting for the trans cooler line also.

Found the adapter from a U.S. supplier here...
Metric to Metric | Metric Hydraulic Fittings and Adapters

Have ordered and should have install complete this week.

It is the M20x1.5 Male Metric x M18x1.5 Male Metric for $8.34. Shipping was a little high at $14, but if it works, I'm golden.

 

Then you did well. The difference in price at RockAuto for the exact same radiator with the correct fitting was ~$300. I'd say even with the high shipping fee you are doing OK.

 

Thanks ... been searching for the thread specification for a possible upgrade to the system.

I needed the external male thread specification .. but at least I know to expect plain old metric