I have a 2005 Super V8 that has leaked coolant for the past year off and on because of cracked or leaky hoses. I have replaced almost every hose on the car. Now I'm using antifreeze but only when it sits for a day or two. If I use the car every day the level only goes down about 1/4 to 1/2 pint daily. If I let it sit I'm down a gallon or more but there is no puddle under the car. Its not going in the oil. I just don't know. I GIVE UP!!! I'm not burning it(no steam in the exhaust) I just don't know any more. I'm going to drop it off at the shop again to pressure test and try to find the problem. I have looked everywhere I can see with a light and nothing is wet. Have any of you ever experienced anything like this before. I've worked on cars my whole life and have never seen anything like this. Where is the coolant going?

 

[QUOTE=caperss;1089725]I have a 2005 Super V8 that has leaked coolant for the past year off and on because of cracked or leaky hoses. I have replaced almost every hose on the car. Now I'm using antifreeze but only when it sits for a day or two. If I use the car every day the level only goes down about 1/4 to 1/2 pint daily. If I let it sit I'm down a gallon or more but there is no puddle under the car. Its not going in the oil. I just don't know. I GIVE UP!!! I'm not burning it(no steam in the exhaust) I just don't know any more. I'm going to drop it off at the shop again to pressure test and try to find the problem. I have looked everywhere I can see with a light and nothing is wet. Have any of you ever experienced anything like this before. I've worked on cars my whole life and have never seen anything like this. Where is the coolant going?[/QUOTe

1. Check the underside of the carpet on the front passenger side. It could be a leaky heater core.

2. Check the exhaust for condensation. It could be a bad head gasket.

 

That is a big coolant loss, and needs thorough investigation, not just topping up. Then you say it loses a gallon just standing still ! Like over how many days ?

A gallon is a lot of coolant ! It must be ending up somewhere and if it's not on the garage floor, it is still in the car somewhere. 'mberman' has given a clue, the other place is either in the oil or in the cylinders, but if you had lost that much into the cylinders, you'd have got a hydraulic lock by now that would have wrecked the engine, and you say it's not in the oil.

 

I dropped it off to be checked out. The carpets are dry, no condensation from exhaust, no water in the oil, no puddles on the ground. No steam from under the hood and as far as I can make out no wet areas in the engine compartment. I was totally baffled so I broke down and dropped it off. They will pressure test the system and hopefully find the leak. I agree with both members who responded and I hate to give up. I don't have a lift or shop so this time I had to let someone else do the work. I hope its not too expensive.

 

There is a big plastic undertray under the engine compartment so you won't see drips unless you take it off (get some 6mm stainless flange-headed screws for when it goes back).

Are you taking it to a Jag specialist?

 

I've just had the same problem with a X308 XJR. We were suffering from a "Coolant Low" warning, and there was little or no water in the fill tank, taking about a litre every time (1/4 gallon)

We started by changing the hoses, and then I was told that the radiator had warped and was leaking, so new radiator - total bill £980.
Next week, "Coolant Low" warning, so back in. This time I was told that the head gasket had failed, but the water was leaking to the outside of one of the banks and was therefore evaporating before hitting the ground. No coolant in the oil, and no signs of any emulsioning. This could explain your coolant loss without any water drop.
So both head gaskets off, heads skimmed, replaced and car back - total bill £2,600.
Following week, "Coolant Low", and water coming from the back of the engine and dropping to the ground under the passenger footwell. car back in - leaking hose.
Funnily enough, no bill :-)

I'd certainly check the sides of the two banks for any signs of leakage, it is, apparently, a not uncommon issue with older engines (mine has 100K on it now)

Good job we love the car!

 

I just heard back from the shop. He said it is the water pump. I looked at that area first but with all the hoses and pulleys in the way its not an easy look. Since I don't see or feel wetness anyplace else I hope that is all it is. Yes the pan under the engine not only catches the drips but I think there are some form of sponges attached to hold moisture. With the amount of coolant leaking I would think there would still be drips. At least is not a head gasket or a radiator. The car is not at a Jag shop its an indy so I don't expect the cost to be much more than $500. I have to say the engine compartment in these cars are not conducive to access or repair but with all the good attributes of these beautiful vehicles I will suffer that burden.

 

Bite the bullet and get it to a Dealer with the understanding paying only for the repair that cures the water leak. Don't continue with guesstimate repairs.

 

There are times when I will use the dealer with their expertise. They are not perfect either. My other Jaguar an 07 XK was in the dealers shop for a vibration at 70MPH they wanted to change the driveshaft. I knew that wasn't the problem, I took it to an indy it was warped rear rotors. Same car with a history of a 3000 rpm drone just off idle. The members of this forum all knew about the service bulletin about the larger catalytic converter mounts but the dealer never heard of the service bulletin, I had to go to Jag headquarters for them to even think of fixing it. Dealers are not the perfect end-all. In this case a coolant leak can be pressure tested by anyone and the leak will show up that's why I took it to an indy unless the dealers have some special leak method I don't know about. I don't have anything against dealers, I use them when I think it is warranted.

 

Have a look around the area at night with a torch, Your eye will be adjusted to night, and will easily see any very small globules of coolant as they glint in the torch light. It worked for me earlier this year and identified the location of my leak. All the shop did was confirm my diagnosis ! Job was expensive, BTW !!