COOLANT WARNING LIGHT

[xjs1996]

XJ EXECUTIVE 2005

Hello,

Bought this recently and a few niggles, car into garage for a suspected sticking parking brake - turns out to be all 4 brakes are slow to release and further investigation reveals what looks like engine oil in the cylinder, at present the Trader is going to see the Jag Specialist he uses and report back.

Driven the car maybe 4 times a long 7.5 hours from Peterborough the one to get it home, one day engine low coolant warning light on, took 1.5 ltrs to fill, prior to the mechanic did a pressure test and it seemed to hold ok. He pointed out small shimmering particles which he believed was a sealer that has been added at some time in the past.

Car has had new belts and water pump all coolant changed recently by Trader.

Any help would be appreciated.

Got the car March 30th and aside from trip home and garage runs think I have spun it twice, would like it fixed to actually enjoy using it !

Cheers
Pete

[RichardSEL]

Not good if bits seen in coolant -- needs flushing out, back flushing (both with heater set to high) and then refilling and pressing up. 1½L coolant lost since trader did the water pump change out isn't good. Any steam out the exhaust?
Have a test for compression gasses in the coolant -- you can buy the kit or garage will do it -- the fluid changes colour if present indicating possible head gasket leech.
That should've been done after last change of fluid and who knows how long the engine's been run with a previous duff water pump?

[cybercontroller]

Sounds similar to problems I had. The first was the broken pipe at the top on the header tank that is a know weakness. Then with the coolant loss continuing, found a leaking water pump and a cracked thermostat housing which had been previously repaired with sealant.

Hope this helps.