On my way to work this morning I was the victim of a coolant leak and a fair bit of steam. The temp gauge did not pass the mid point thankfully. Got some antifreeze and refilled at the end of the day and made my way home. It appears that there is a leak at the right rear of the engine. Coolant is dripping from the back of the engine and down the bell housing where it joins the engine block. I removed the air intake and centre cowl to have a look. It appears to be coming from the hose that runs under the supercharger, but I can not see exactly where the leak is.

I assume this means removing the supercharger and charge air coolers. Can anyone previously suffering from this condition confirm?

I ran the car for quite some time with the air intake off trying to find the exact spot, but could not see the actual leak.

I will purchase a pressure tester and see if that helps locate it, but visibility is largely obstructed and I have old eyes.

I have searched for an hour or two and found some posts touching on similar situations but none with the actual fix.

I would hate to pull the supercharger and find out I am wrong about the source. However, I do not think this is the octopus hose, as it is coming from under the supercharger at the right rear of the engine.

Also of some worry.... had a bit of steam coming from the exhaust! Hope the head gasket is not involved. It was pretty late at night, but still warm out for 3500 ft of altitude at my location. Probably low 70's. The car is not overheating, which I thought would likely happen if water and exhaust are in contact.... so here's hoping it is not a head gasket.

As usual, this is new territory for me, so if someone could lend some experience regarding the suspect hose replacement, I would greatly appreciate it.

 

I have just finished putting my XJR back together after a head gasket repair, so I have lots of pictures of that area. First, the temp gauge is almost useless in that it stays dead centre until it pegs at the top. The best threads on this topic are "the folly of the temperature gauge" and my own thread "My Realgauge experience". All that to say that the midpoint could have been pretty hot, but the gauge lies.
The pressure tester is a great idea, hopefully it's just a hose, but these engnes are kinda known for head gaskets. But if you catch the overheating early, you may be ok.
There are two hoses under the SC, then one line that comes from the right rear part of the block, just above the starter. I'll post pics as soon as I upload them to Photobucket.

 

BTW, the two hoses are p/n NCC3945AC and NNE3946CA, available from Rock Auto for less than $20. The downside is that it is one heck of a job to get at them.
This is the octopus hoes, but it only has one big line on the RH side, and it is lower down and farther back than your description.
[IMG][/IMG]
These are the under SC hoses. The RH one goes to a fitting beside the throttle body, and joins to a metal pipe at that point. The LH one goes to the LH side of the throttle body and joins a plastic connector to the octopus hose.
[IMG][/IMG]
The one with the hose clamp is the under SC hose. The one metal pipe comes from the block above the starter, seen in the pic after this one.
[IMG][/IMG]
[IMG][/IMG]

I hope this helps, feel free to ask any questions, always happy to help out, even if you are a Flames fan!

 

Here's a better shot. You can see the two hoses, plus on the back of the RH intercooler, there's a big hole, that is for a temp sensor, it's along shot, but in that area, there's only those three water sources. My XJR ran (I bought it after the head gasket blew) and the only symptom was more white smoke out the LH tail pipe than the RH pipe.

[IMG][/IMG]

 

Thanks Rob, I really appreciate it. With regard to misleading temperature gauge, I have seen some of those posts. Mine usually takes quite a while to reach the mid point. I have been slightly suspicious of the thermostat being a bit cool. In winter on the highway it never quite reaches the midpoint and does show some fluctuation. I was putting an infrared thermometer on several points on the engine and cooling system. I don't think it got very hot. Both tail pipes were giving off a small amount of steam, but not white smoke, so I am keeping my fingers crossed.

Thanks for the photos.... every time I try to post photos on the forum, it errors out. I guess I have to try harder. The hose shown in your last photo that connects to the metal pipe shows a hose clamp... I will have to look again, but I do not think there is a hose clamp on mine. That was about the only hose I could see under the Supercharger. The leak is coming from that area, but it did not appear to be coming from the union between the pipe and hose.

I will try a pressure tester if I can find one that works on our cars, but I fear the leak is hidden away from view at any rate.

Can you advise on what I need for gaskets? I have not read up too far on the JTIS manual.

On the hockey front, I guess I am a bit of a Flames fan, but I have been watching the WHL for the most part as my son started playing in the league last year. He will head back in about 10 days for the upcoming season. (I have been selling my Flames tickets) If you come to Calgary when the Canucks are here, I will try to get hold of my tickets for that game. You will really enjoy the Canucks fans in Calgary... they are nuts! (Especially if they win, which usually happens these days). Our British forum members don't know what they are missing! Greatest game on earth... or at least ice.

I will have to get at this, because I need this car! I may end up PMing you if that is OK.

Thanks Again

Wayne

 

FYI- I bought a pressure tester at Harbor freight and it had the connector I needed for the XJ/XKs. Its pretty clear when you use the pressure tester where the drip is coming from, because it is slow and steady- easy to follow the drip.

 

It does sound like your thermostat. Mine runs at 203 degrees with a stock 184 degree thermostat. I have ordered a 174 thermostat, and hope to have it installed today. It's not a stock part number, but one I came up with after some research.
Come to think of it, my XJ8 ran cool on the highway until I changed the thermostat. All I could get was a 170, and it runs dead centre on the gauge at 185 coolant temp.

For photos I use Photobucket, and use the "IMG" link they have. Gaskets, you'd need the big rectangular one where the throttle body joins the SC. There are also two rubber rings where the SC meets the intercoolers, but they can be reused unless they're dried out. The rectangular one is p/n NCC7754BA according to my parts list. Mine came in a big gasket kit, I don't know what it costs on it"s own.
Hockey- yes I'm waiting for the season to begin. I can't afford Canucks tickets, not to mention the $30 parking and $12 beers. I've got a big screen and a beer fridge instead. I do come to Calgary on business a few times a year, but it's not predictable.

Go ahead and PM anytime, glad to help.

 

Thanks, I will try to find one at a local Part Source, Napa or Auto Value store.
I may be too impatient to wait for shipping from Harbor Freight, but I did look them up. Saw one for $80.00 that has 8 cap adapters so I imagine one of them will fit.

 

Thanks Rob,

I think I have a throttle body gasket already....now if I can find it. I will play it by ear on the rubber rings, but check with the dealer to see if they have them in stock.

 

Try Princess Auto they usually have stuff like that.

 

Oh yeah, you'll need a thermostat seal and 2 orings for where the water rail bolts to the front of the engine.

 

Can you let us know what application and part number?

 

Plums, check out this thread- https://www.jaguarforums.com/forum/x...59/#post792421

 

OMG Rob, I have the same leak from up under the supercharger. I was able to replace the one hose but not the other without pulling the supercharger.

I'm waiting on my next payday order the parts and dig into the job. Your pics are awesome.