So my wife has a 2003 XK8 with the 4.2 engine. Only has 47,000 miles on it and she probably only put 2000 miles on it this past year. Yesterday she drove about 10 miles and it overheated. No warning lights, No warning gauges, temp gauge was still normal. She pulled over and waited a while and then my son popped the hood and poured a few bottled waters in the cooling system and she drove it to a Midas shop nearby. The guy said he did a block test on it and it failed. Said I had a blown gasket or a cracked block, either way, he said to replace the engine. Would she crack a block that easily? Is there another option? Another test? They said she had two leaks in her cooling system which probably led to the heating problem....

 

I don't think a Midas shop is likely to make a correct diagnosis, especially without tearing the engine down. A blown head gasket is almost certain, maybe warped heads also, and yes, a cracked block is possible.

You need to get the car to a qualified mechanic. Hopefully, one of the forum members is in your area and can suggest one. A Jag dealer is just going to repeat the engine replacement diagnosis, probably without looking at it.

Once again we see the need for a proper water temp. gauge like Realgauge. But it's also disturbing that the low coolant light was not on.

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