I'm about to replace the water pump on my 2004 XJR. Is it relatively straightforward? I ordered a new pump, gasket and o-ring set. I've done this procedure on several other cars, but not one with a supercharger.

Also, where is a good place to get the orange coolant?

Mark

 

Why are you replacing a water pump on that car? A leak? Are you sure its not the t stat housing. We replace those all day long and i have never replaced a water pump on a 04 and up xj. I dont even rememebr ever rpelacing 1 on a 4.2 period

 

That's what my local shop told me I needed back in January when I was having some other work done.

Since then, I've been putting about a pint of water to top off the reservoir, first at 3 1/2 weeks, then it took about 2 1/2 weeks, then about 2 weeks, and recently has needed it after 1 week, so something is slowly failing.

I had to replace the T-stat housing last fall, along with the thermostat, drain hose, upper hose, lower hose and drain hose. The dealer got about 1/2 way through this $600 exercise and proceeded to tell me about replacing all the hoses for around $2000 before I realized I could finish this particular job myself for $200. Supposedly there are hoses underneath the supercharger, of which the removal of and replacement of generated the bulk of that $2000? They didn't say I needed the hoses, but that I should be proactive and replace them. The car did spend the first years of it's life in Miami, so I don't doubt the cooling system was stressed a bit more than usual.

I don't see the hoses on the schematic http://www.jaguarmerriamparts.com/pa...layCatalogid=0

I smell coolant after I've run the car, but I can't find anything that looks wet when I lift the hood. So, I'm going by what my local, independent Jag mechanic told me a few months ago. He said I had a small weep coming out of the drain hole on the pump. At least it's only $100 for the pump/gasket/o-ring and shipping.

Is there a better troubleshooting method I can use?

Mark

 

If the leak is not readily evident, the next thing is to pressurize the system to about 15 psi and look around. If you don't see it then, put special coolant system dye in the system, pressurize it and look with a blacklight. There are hoses under the intake manifold, they can leak and it does require manifold removal. If there is coolant coming out of the weep on the pump, the pump is bad, replacve that and see if the problem is solved before further work..

 

Also pressure test and check the clamp, the snap clamps and spring clamps are notriouse for weeping. All that is usually needed stop that is to reposition the clamp of the same place on the hopse. I just had one doing this yesturday and no charged it, and someone else may say well you need a pump or whatever...

 

I just went through the same thing and it was the hose under the supercharger.

 

Another one the o-ring seal on the aux water pump

But as others have said you need to find out where it is leaking
Im normally able to locate a slow leak using a borescope (or usb camera).
When the coolant dries it leaves a crusty residue behind that is quite obvious
Use the borescope to poke around all the coolant lines and paths.
Also check the oil for water

Cheers
34by151

 

I just had my water pump replaced with the help of my mechanic and it was fairly easy... hardest part was removing the belt. Only took an hour.