updated my xk8 cooling system today

[fausTVR]

My 2002 4.0 xk8 started running the cooling fans pretty much constantly and for a minute or so after shut down. This concerned me but I couldn't quite figure out what was causing it. I used it locally a few times until it threw up some other clue symptom, which it promptly did with a temp gauge at the top and red light on at about 65 on the motorway...arrgh! Straight on with full heating and the faux gauge dropped almost immediately and nursed it home glued to the gauge. I've been here before with my old XJR8 a few years ago, I sent that to a local main dealer and it cost £2k to fix, ouch.
With the xk hot and bothered, the return pipe from the rad was cold so I decided the thermostat was stuck closed and I could see coolant weeping from the 'stat housing (plastic, thank you Ford), also the car was now alarming low coolant although the reservoir was up to level.

So I girded up my loins and bought a new reservoir, thermostat housing kit in ally, thermostat, bypass pipe with sensor, after market water pump, some hose, OAT coolant and distilled water all for about £200 incl VAT. I watched the few DIY vids I could find on Youtube and set about the task this morning with a bit of trepidation, but after about 9 hrs I'm finished and knackered but the Jag seems sorted. I'm glad I don't fix cars for a living, it must be life shortening.

ETA The car is 17 years old and has 66k miles, the parts I replaced appeared undamaged but those plastic bits do give up so a bit of peace of mind at least.

Edited by fausTVR on Sunday 12th May 20:42

[Zippyworld]

Lets hope its job done, been there myself !