My wife's S Type developed a crack in the small hose inlet on top of the coolant reservoir; as I was removing the hose to inspect it, the entire nipple broke off. Well, since the dealer cost to fix it is $406, and the part itself is $125, I looked online & found an aftermarket part (URO) for $75, including 2nd day shipping. My (digital) copy of the manual makes it look pretty straightforward to replace the thing, but I want to ask if anyone here has done so, and what inevitable pitfalls I might encounter.

The only mystery to me (so far) is the connection from the bottom of the container to the radiator; I can't see it, and it's raining like crazy here right now, so I ain't going out to crawl under the car.

One last thing: I have a messed up back & neck from a car wreck and I hope this won't put much strain on those out-of-warranty parts of mine.

And whose idea was it to attach a hose to such a small diameter plastic part on a pressurized system? Heads should roll!

OK, not done yet. Since I haven't checked the stores yet, can I buy the orange long-lasting antifreeze at major auto parts stores? What do I ask for?

Joe

 

I haven't tried the below tank nipple fix yet, but plan to if necessary.

I stand corrected, misread chart. Seems Zerex Dex-Cool is appropriate for 1996 on. Zerex G-05 prior.

https://www.jaguarforums.com/forum/x...t-tank-117188/

 

Ask for coolant that meets the specification listed in the owners manual. Brand name or colour is irrelevant

 

Hello Joe welcome to the forum.

The lower hose is a quick connect. There are all kinds of threads on here to remove that hose and also to do the entire job. I believe there is a video in the "How To" Sticky at the top of the page, look for "multimedia guides".

Its been awhile but I believe that I use "GM Dex Cool Long Life" found at Auto Zone in our '05MY.

 

This may come as a major shock. It's a premium marque and they expect you not to DIY. They expect you to hand the car plus money to a dealer, who are used to plastic etc.

That's "good enough" (in some meaning of good enough).

I don't blame you at all for wanting to DIY but the above is how it is.

On here we largely DIY and have thousands of posts to help. You could read the appropriate ones to speed you up and save you money...

 

Good info here https://www.jaguarforums.com/forum/s...lacment-52090/
I use "GM Dex Cool Long Life" also.

 

Another DexCool user here in both of our Jaguars....

 

I was going to try the drill & tap for 1/8" pipe as my first line of attack, but there doesn't appear to be enough "meat" around the spot to allow for a secure connection. If I was unable to get a replacement tank, my next plan was to try & do the same using an angled fitting into the "bleed screw" on the top above the broken nipple.

 

You can always try Joe. Just keep in the back of your mind a few things.

1- Replacement coolant reservoir about $100.00 now-a-days, generally way less than an hours labor.

2- Your fix will most likely crack, break or fall off in do time, leaving your wife stranded and with an expensive tow bill.

3- If the little wifey doesn't notice that the temperature gauge has nuked itself in time, well, I don't really know what replacement engines are going for now-a-days.

Also the little purge "bleed" screw and threads are just as brittle as the little tube.

Be sure to keep us updated from time to time.

 

Just replace it.

To add to the above think about this. The rest of the tank is just as old and brittle as the part the broke off. Do you really want to risk it since a new tank is in the $100 range?

And yes I have changed mine twice now because that nipple is VERY easy to break off!
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Due to the lousy plastic used in these coolant expansion tanks, they are considered to be replacement items every five years or so. My 2005 S-Type 3.0 is on its second one. As previously recommended, just go ahead and swap in a new one and be done with it....

 

Just did the one on my VDP. The lower connection has a metal clip that pulls out and then the hose slides out. If you've ever removed the shift knob on a Nissan/Infiniti or changed a mixer knob assembly on a Moen shower assembly or removed a manual crank window knob on an older car it is the same principle. It's known in the auto industry by the slang term "Jesus clip" since using the Lord or his son's name in vain is common when the clip is lost because the tension they are under tends to launch them into the black abyss.

 

Well, the replacement reservoir just was delivered by UPS a few minutes ago; now I have a better idea of the scale of things. I hope to tackle the installation tomorrow if other appointments and a lunch date will allow it. It looks like a very simple repair, so I am especially on edge - 40+ years of being in the electronics design & repairing business makes me wary of "easy jobs"!

I want to thank every one of you who posted a reply or replied directly to me. Your willingness to help is what turns this Jaguar forum into a real community.

If I can get my wife to take pictures, I will post them as a help to others (I'm not gonna touch my nice camera with dirty mechanic fingers, even though the Jag is pretty clean under the hood!).

Again, thanks for the support!

Joe

 

I've only been around here 6mos and heard this enough times I'm thinking of ordering a spare to have on hand.