Something that happens with age - I have a water problem.
Discussion
Technically, it's a lack-of-water problem.
Car is a 2000 XKR. I took it for two 40 mile runs last night (there and back with an hour in between) and the car was fine. 10 miles to work this morning was fine, but 5 miles out at lunchtime, low water flashed up. Another 10 miles, and temp hasn't changed from middle of the gauge. Where I had parked in the morning, there was a damp patch under the rear of the engine, on the driver's side.
Had trouble getting the header tank cap off, and when I did, the screw part came off, and then I had to take the yellow cap, spring and valve out, before I could get any water in the car - the other part of the cap just would not shift. I put 1/2 litre of water in, and drove home (with the low water on the dash) keeping an eye on the temp gauge - which again only went to the normal position.
At home (after a time to let it cool a bit) I undid the cap, and there was no pressure at all. There was water in the header tank, but again, I couldn't get part of the cap off (the bit with the rubber seals). I took the header tank off - dumping half a tankful of fluid on the floor (passenger side, directly below header tank position), and brought it in doors as it was getting dark outside. I have finally got the remains of the cap off, and cleaned the tank, as there was some anti-freeze residue around the lip.
Sorry for the long-winded opening, but the questions are very simple (I believe).
Could it be just the cap that has given me this problem? Could the water coming out of the cap have followed the lines of pipework before dripping to the floor on the drivers side?
I did read about problems with thermostat housings, but I think this is the n/a V8s, which have a plastic housing. Is that correct? Aparently, they crack and leak into the 'V' and the water drips down by the driver's side exhaust.
Car is a 2000 XKR. I took it for two 40 mile runs last night (there and back with an hour in between) and the car was fine. 10 miles to work this morning was fine, but 5 miles out at lunchtime, low water flashed up. Another 10 miles, and temp hasn't changed from middle of the gauge. Where I had parked in the morning, there was a damp patch under the rear of the engine, on the driver's side.
Had trouble getting the header tank cap off, and when I did, the screw part came off, and then I had to take the yellow cap, spring and valve out, before I could get any water in the car - the other part of the cap just would not shift. I put 1/2 litre of water in, and drove home (with the low water on the dash) keeping an eye on the temp gauge - which again only went to the normal position.
At home (after a time to let it cool a bit) I undid the cap, and there was no pressure at all. There was water in the header tank, but again, I couldn't get part of the cap off (the bit with the rubber seals). I took the header tank off - dumping half a tankful of fluid on the floor (passenger side, directly below header tank position), and brought it in doors as it was getting dark outside. I have finally got the remains of the cap off, and cleaned the tank, as there was some anti-freeze residue around the lip.
Sorry for the long-winded opening, but the questions are very simple (I believe).
Could it be just the cap that has given me this problem? Could the water coming out of the cap have followed the lines of pipework before dripping to the floor on the drivers side?
I did read about problems with thermostat housings, but I think this is the n/a V8s, which have a plastic housing. Is that correct? Aparently, they crack and leak into the 'V' and the water drips down by the driver's side exhaust.
ARAF, I just fitted a new Thermostat in my XJR. Whilst doing this I took opportunity for a good clean-up around header tank. One thing I noticed was the white spongy plastic float was not sliding up and down freely. Mine was stuck in an upper position. I worked it top to bottom a dozen or more times and now it's fine. Yours could be stuck in lower position.
Sounds like you need a new cap as a minimum. Try a very thin smear of vaseline on the threads and don't overtighten to prevent sticking.
Hope your coolant level change is nothing more serious.
Good luck.
Peter
Sounds like you need a new cap as a minimum. Try a very thin smear of vaseline on the threads and don't overtighten to prevent sticking.
Hope your coolant level change is nothing more serious.
Good luck.
Peter
Not to worry you or anything, but my 2000 xkr had a low coolant warning last week. I diagnosed it as a hole in the radiator. the damp was at the front of the engine though, there were traces round the wheel arch as well. The temp gauge did not move from normal in the 30 miles I drove with low coolant. It is mow at the doctors haveing some minor surgary.
usually the rubber pipes have come away or perished,check them all.
mine used to flash up low water but it turned out to be a faulty sensor on header bottle
hope this helps
www.xkec.co.uk is a must when owning a car like this,all the lads on forums have a wealth o knowledge and it was the best 45 quid i ever spent,saved me a fortune in long run
mine used to flash up low water but it turned out to be a faulty sensor on header bottle
hope this helps
www.xkec.co.uk is a must when owning a car like this,all the lads on forums have a wealth o knowledge and it was the best 45 quid i ever spent,saved me a fortune in long run
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