Hi Guys,

Got the lights sorted in the end by the workshop they bypassed the module somehow.

But now... its overheating, the other day the expansion tank blew in half and water went everywhere while overheating on a motorway then immediately cooled down once it had exploded, it had overheated a couple of times before on long trips but I always immediately pull over and put more coolant in it. It had also been losing coolant but showed no signs on a pressure test.

So I had a new expansion tank with new lid and sensor as well as a new thermostat put on.

On the way back it started overheating again but as soon as I let go of the accelerator it cools down.

One person mentioned its probably the water pump? Does that sound right? Could it be something to do with the radiator?

Where would be the best place to get a water pump? Are XK8 and XKR the same?

 

Waterpump could definitely be a source, mine went weeping on me awhile back, so dealer replaced it. I'd first replace the thermostat, and check the housing (make sure its the updated metal one) as those plastic ones are notorious for leaks.

Call either Ken @ motorcars ltd or Dan at Nalley Jaguar to see if the parts are the same. My parts diagrams (in the FAQ thread also if you're interested) shows the same for both XKR and XK8, with 2.hrs labor for install.

 

Sounds to me like your pressure cap might have been sticking, overpressuring the cooling system. It should have released the pressure into the overflow tank before the tank blew since it should be able to take 16 psi. If the car is really overheating, look at the water pump though. Is the car an early model? Some of these had bad pumps that lost their impeller blades. The other possibility is a blown head gasket allowing combustion gases into the water jacket.

 

Make sure your top radiator hose is on correctly. On my car it was backwards, yes backwards, and it began to collapse which caused an overheating problem. It took me forever to discover the cause.

 

Ordered a new waterpump, which of the hoses is it?