expansion tank

[vickerp]

Hi i have 2002 V6 Petrol, expansion tank has an intermittent leak, is this critical, i was quoted Euro 100 by local Jag dealer for new expansion tank, is this price correct also can I change this myself or is it a dealer job

[robv12]

Mike Kennedy is your man here to help, I have no doubt he will be along shortly to offer his expert advice

[J44EAG]

Plenty about this issue under the "Cooling" section of our S-type BB.

Try these two links to threads for immediate further information.

http://www.jec.org.uk/forums/viewtopic.php?f=201&t=4686

http://www.jec.org.uk/forums/viewtopic.php?f=198&t=7037

These tanks don`t last long once they crack and split. Best changed as soon as possible to avoid a major failure when out on the road. Neville Anderson at North East Jaguar Spares holds these in stock. probably the best prices you will find. Mention you are a JEC member.

Mike

[vickerp]

Mike

thanks , can I ask really stupid question, in the forum, some state header tank is at back of engine under windscreen and removal of wipers etc required. Is this for pre 2002 cars ?
i ask this as

[J44EAG]

Yes. Early models only.

Mike

[vickerp]

good news, so I can tackle this myself, any problems I need to look out for ,or is a straight forward swap

[J44EAG]

The second link in the third posting above, from Martec (Brian) gives full details.

The biggest issue for a tank change is that the brace bar bolts seize and removal can become difficult if not impossible to remove without drilling and re-tapping threads in the car body. Unless you have good engineering skills and reasonable tools and facilities, this job is probably best left to a garage.

Mike

[vickerp]

Ok Mike thanks for your help, I guess its a trip to the Jag specialist

[ericmc]

It is possible but fairly difficult to replace the expansion tank on a RHD pre 2002 car without removing the engine brace. The aluminium casting that provides the support for the wiper spindles is secured with three bolts and if these are removed it can be pushed out of the way enough to wriggle the tank out. You have to bend the forward mounting 'ear' on the tank to clear the brace and if you intend to put the tank back warm this with a hair drier to reduce the risk of it breaking off.
I replaced my tank which was cracked in two places so it didn't matter but I did warm up the new tank as an extra precaution.

Eric

[Mugwy1]

In 2014 I replaced the header tank and top hose on my S Type following a leak discovered. I viewed the various discussions regarding this problematic expansion tank and bought both new tank and hose.
Over this winter the new tank began to leak in the same area of the top hose, but it niggled me that this was a fairly new part from a reputable supplier.
I decided to take the top hose off and clean the end of the pipe, the metal spring clip that comes supplied with the new hose felt strong enough but I decided to replace it with a Jubilee Clip of the appropriate size (20p).
This has resolved the issue totally so I would suggest that if suffering with a leaky expansion tank top hose try fitting a Jubilee Clip in the first instance. It may just save someone the £60+ for a replacement tank and or hose.

[J44EAG]

I have to say I`m not fond of those spring type clips of which we find so many on our cars. Suffice to say that a Jubilee clip is often an easier and more reliable fit in constricted areas. One of those flexible spring drive sockets 8mm adjoined to a screwdriver type handle makes fitting a more satisfactory and reliable option.

I`m about to fit a high flow circulation pump to my X350R together with a larger inter-cooler radiator. The current installation is littered with spring clips. All will be changed in favour of stainless steel marine grade Jubilee clips with an 8mm hex drive. In an emergency, I can always tighten a Jubilee clip. No chance at all with the spring clip type.

If anyone needs a new, never used header tank for an early model, I have one. I used to carry it in my V8 S-type as having had a tank split at 48k miles, I bought two! It seemed a good idea at the time as the location of the early model tank is immediately above the O/S exhaust manifold which cooks the poly-propolene tank to perfection over time. Then it splits and leaks. Becoming paranoid about the issue, I bought the second tank as a spare!! PM me if you are interested.

Mike

[poprivet]

I completely agree with Mike about the quality difference of a good Jubilee clip and a cheap one. There are some plain nasty ones about.

The spring clips are cheap, quick to install in the factory and normally last the guarantee period but are not best engineering practice.

[Graham]

Hi,
having just returned to s type ownership my first frustrating problem is that my expansion tank has started to leak.
On trying to source a new one i find out that they are currently not available due to a quality issue from JLR.
There is no date when they will be available,which is very frustrating since this is a known weakness on the car.
As yet my car is not overheating but i worry with the warmer weather coming this will render my car useless.
Has anybody tried a repair?
Many Thanks
Graham

[Montana5]

Yes, someone on the Jaguar UK forum has repaired his and its lasted. Ideally as I have suggested in the linked repair post, we need someone with a 3D Printer to copy and produce a reinforced version of the Tank.
http://www.jaguarforum.com/showthread.php?t=91369

Doug.

[Graham]

Thanks Doug for the link and replying to my post.
My expansion tank is of the early type and the leak is at the lower rear just above the sensor.
If the weather eventually dries up i will remove the tank with two possibilities:
1. Risk buying a secondhand one if i can find one.Not that positive it would be ok.
2. I have a heating iron i have used to repair the digital connections on my Mercedes and might experiment with that.
Thank you for replying.
Graham