While pulling into the doctors parking lot, the low coolant light came on. Need to rush to the doctors office for an appointment. When I came out, I checked the fluid level and found the reservoir was completely empty. Searching around the engine bay, I noticed that the upper radiator hose had separated from the radiator. I reattached it ( it's 19° here in Virginia Beach) which took some fumbling and using a screwdriver that frankly too short. Is really cold: I guessed that there was enough fluid in the engine block to allow me to get to a gas station about a mile away before the thermostat opened up. The car took one and a half gallons of new antifreeze. It is a 50% premix that is all-purpose, made by Valvoline.

It was a new hose, and attached to the radiator outlet by a new screw type those clamps are so frequently here in the United States. I think (hope) that it simply had come loose from vibration and extreme cold and fell off. Drove it home, about 10 miles, with no problems.

I think that if it had blown off due to high pressure, like a blown head gasket, that other hoses would have fallen off first. What do the gurus on this forum thank?

Appreciate any advice.

 

If it wasn't just down to the clamp not being tightened properly when the new hose was fitted, I'd be looking next at a sticking thermostat.

Never risk an overheat with the Jaguar V8. Major damage happens very quickly!

Graham

 

1 of the problems with using screw type clamps on new hoses, is that as the hose heats up and softens, the clamp becomes loose.

Although the pinch type clamps are a pain in the butt sometimes, they do have the advantage of applying constant pressure to the hose.

I would think that you are probably ok, but I recommend either replacing the screw type clamp with a pinch type, or... re-tighten it when the engine is hot, and check it a few times to be sure it stays tight.

Cheers
Bill

 

Thanks for thoughts. Rgr overheating concerns.

The hoses, water pump, tst, tst housing were changed in April, 6500 miles ago. I think it was cold and vibration, but going to watch it closely. The OBD reader showed a steady 197 - 201 on the drive home. Couldn't check power, heavy ice on all roads, in town that sees snow once or twice every decade, but accel and shifts all usual perfectly smooth.