Jaguar XK8 and XKR (1996 - 2006) - Coolant loss

Honest John Back Room » Motoring discussion
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Tue 14 Jul 2009 23:11
Coolant loss - boxsterboy
A friend bought a 2004 XK8 - very nice it looks too. But it is losing coolant, although there is no apparent leak. He has reported it to the supplying (Jaguar) garage as it is still under their warranty, but they can apparently find no fault.

Now, correct me if I'm wrong, but doesn't coolant loss with no apparent leak mean head gasket failure?
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Wed 15 Jul 2009 07:43
Coolant loss - madf
"Now, correct me if I'm wrong, but doesn't coolant loss with no apparent leak mean head gasket failure?"

No.
I had a BMW 320i which lost fluid from a pipe union only when hot and at high pressure. (ie at speed). The fluid landed on the road, leaving no stain.

A real pig to find.

A sniffer test of the antifreeze for exhaust gases takes 5 minutes and is usually conclusive for HGF.
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Wed 15 Jul 2009 13:03
Coolant loss - BB
There is a hose under the upper expansion bottle. This hose forks off into two. I would say this ineeds to be checked.

The only way to notice it was there was when it was running at full temp and hearing for the sound of drips onto the manifold and tracking back.

Hope this helps.

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Wed 15 Jul 2009 23:08
Coolant loss - boxsterboy
Thanks very much BB - I'll pass the tip on.
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Wed 15 Jul 2009 23:39
Coolant loss - bell boy
any decent garage would have a pressure tester for stuff like this
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