Water leak on 3.2l V8 behind engine!?
#1
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Hi there!
My parents bought me a 1997 XJ8 with the 3.2l V8 and the seller claims it is leaking a little water. My dad says it is dripping from around the cat on the left side... So I assume it is running either down the bulk head or the engine somewhere.
Does anyone know, as I haven't got the car here yet, if there is a common leak area around the rear left of the engine? Or is there anything there which likes to leak/pack up or even can leak/pack up?
Cheers
Damien
My parents bought me a 1997 XJ8 with the 3.2l V8 and the seller claims it is leaking a little water. My dad says it is dripping from around the cat on the left side... So I assume it is running either down the bulk head or the engine somewhere.
Does anyone know, as I haven't got the car here yet, if there is a common leak area around the rear left of the engine? Or is there anything there which likes to leak/pack up or even can leak/pack up?
Cheers
Damien
#2
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Leaks are common from the various hoses at the back of the engine, particularly the Norma connection from the octopus hose.
But it is also very likely from the thermostat housing which gets brittle and cracks. The coolant then runs to the back of the engine and drips from the area around the cats. I would start there.
But it is also very likely from the thermostat housing which gets brittle and cracks. The coolant then runs to the back of the engine and drips from the area around the cats. I would start there.
The following 2 users liked this post by RJ237:
Daim (02-24-2015),
McTheKnife (06-06-2015)
#3
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Cheers for the answer...
As I've got to drive it 100 km/62 miles before I can actually work on it, I guess I should look first where it is leaking from![Wink](https://www.jaguarforums.com/forum/images/smilies/wink.gif)
Are then many connections behind the engine to the water system? As said, I haven't had the chance to check it yet so I am guessing, as you mentioned the octopus hose, part 6 in this picture, right?
![](http://www.jaguarclassicparts.com/illustrations/images/se6350a.jpg)
I'll see how full the water bottle is when picking the car up. My dad said it was full. If it is full, then I doubt it will be a huge problem... At least I hope it isn't...
As I've got to drive it 100 km/62 miles before I can actually work on it, I guess I should look first where it is leaking from
![Wink](https://www.jaguarforums.com/forum/images/smilies/wink.gif)
Are then many connections behind the engine to the water system? As said, I haven't had the chance to check it yet so I am guessing, as you mentioned the octopus hose, part 6 in this picture, right?
![](http://www.jaguarclassicparts.com/illustrations/images/se6350a.jpg)
I'll see how full the water bottle is when picking the car up. My dad said it was full. If it is full, then I doubt it will be a huge problem... At least I hope it isn't...
![Wink](https://www.jaguarforums.com/forum/images/smilies/wink.gif)
#4
#5
#6
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He meant easier! Tightening those rear bolts is a pain. Socket head screws makes tightening (they don't have to be all that tight, there is a seal) a whole lot easier. Otherwise, you need to raise the intake manifold to access the rear bolts. Let me assure you, all the advise of what wrenches will do the job is BS! Nothing gets in there to allow clean access to the bolt and more than 5 degree swing.
Lots of threads: the one that shows the socket head bolts is the way to go.
Lots of threads: the one that shows the socket head bolts is the way to go.
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RJ237 (02-25-2015)
#7
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Okay... Working in tight areas is my specialty
My XJ-S has screws covered by screws covered by screws
So I'll get that somehow done.
The metal thermostathousing is already ordered. I hope it will be here before the weekend. Oddly, the housing only leaks in traffic. When driving and engine off it is bone dry... Probably a pressure thing and the efficient heating of that engine...
![Big Grin](https://www.jaguarforums.com/forum/images/smilies/biggrin.gif)
![Big Grin](https://www.jaguarforums.com/forum/images/smilies/biggrin.gif)
The metal thermostathousing is already ordered. I hope it will be here before the weekend. Oddly, the housing only leaks in traffic. When driving and engine off it is bone dry... Probably a pressure thing and the efficient heating of that engine...
![Smile](https://www.jaguarforums.com/forum/images/smilies/smile.gif)
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#8
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Hi,
Got to drag this up again. I've done the thermostat housing. Nice and new metal one now. But I till have a leak in the V. As far as I can see, there is a hose which rums the full length of the hose. One end is connected to the water rail (from thermostat to radiator). The other end is hard to trace.
Where does this hose go? Or better where does it come from (seems like a return hose from the heater!?) and is there anything else under the intake to intake which can leak? I've noticed a sensor on the right bank... But I doubt that is for water, as it looks kind of like a knock sensor...
I'm really regreting buying this car... My enthusiasum was a lot larger before I found this leak...
Damien
Got to drag this up again. I've done the thermostat housing. Nice and new metal one now. But I till have a leak in the V. As far as I can see, there is a hose which rums the full length of the hose. One end is connected to the water rail (from thermostat to radiator). The other end is hard to trace.
Where does this hose go? Or better where does it come from (seems like a return hose from the heater!?) and is there anything else under the intake to intake which can leak? I've noticed a sensor on the right bank... But I doubt that is for water, as it looks kind of like a knock sensor...
I'm really regreting buying this car... My enthusiasum was a lot larger before I found this leak...
Damien
#9
#10
#11
#12
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Found the little bugger!
The lower heater hose (not return, but the feed) has an about 2mm long split in it. Now, what ever the designer thought, but putting those hoses so far down in the V is not a clever idea
At least I can now relax a little... I was dreading a cracked/warped head. *phew*
The lower heater hose (not return, but the feed) has an about 2mm long split in it. Now, what ever the designer thought, but putting those hoses so far down in the V is not a clever idea
![Big Grin](https://www.jaguarforums.com/forum/images/smilies/biggrin.gif)
At least I can now relax a little... I was dreading a cracked/warped head. *phew*
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