Checking coolant y pipe

E

elugelab

New member
Hi all, looking to become a new F Type owner soon, just trying to find the right one. Viewing one at the weekend and wanted to check, is it possible to tell if the coolant y pipe has been replaced by visual inspection? Nothing on the service records to suggest it has been changed, so would like to take a look. Suspect the dealer won't know.

MY16 V8R. Thanks in advance.
 
Not sure if the v8 is the same but i believe that the v6 part number for the new Y pipe is AJ813865. it might be worth asking the parts dept which one is fitted to your car. If it is an earlier one ,i would think that the original part number would supersede to the one above.
 
You can at least visually tell if it has the old or newer improved version of the pipe. If it has the newer it has clearly been replaced. The old version has flat edges/seams on the sides of the part that's visible in front of the engine block while the newer is round. You should be able to find pictures of the two different versions online.

Could be that you have to pull off the engine cover to see the pipe. Not sure because I never use my cover and can't remember how much more than the supercharger top it covers. It's anyway probably a good idea to pull of the cover if you want to make a visual inspection of the engine.
 
elugelab said:
Hi all, looking to become a new F Type owner soon, just trying to find the right one. Viewing one at the weekend and wanted to check, is it possible to tell if the coolant y pipe has been replaced by visual inspection? Nothing on the service records to suggest it has been changed, so would like to take a look. Suspect the dealer won't know.

MY16 V8R. Thanks in advance.
Click to expand...

The document in this link https://www.ftypeforums.co.uk/viewtopic.php?p=62058#p62058 shows the original lower coolant outlet pipe (Y pipe) and the replacement pipe. Remove engine top cover for access. You can see the difference between the two in these screenshots.....
 

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Thanks everyone, very helpful. I was under the impression that the y-pipe was at the back of the engine so would be difficult to spot but if it's under the snout of the S/C hopefully with a torch I'll be able to get a good look.
 
You can just about see the top of it behind the oil filter housing (better with a torch and when leaning across the engine from the near side). My car appears to have the original version with angled neck and protruding sections either side of the neck.

No problems with it so far 🤞
 
Ah, the pipe I referred to in my post wasn't actually that lower Y pipe but the upper part that goes on top of it and also comes in a new revision. IIRC it's replaced when the Y pipe is replaced and is probably the most easily spotted sign of a new Y pipe.

Old version:

oldpipe.jpg

New version:

newpipe.jpg

I had both these parts replaced in my last car.
 
MajorTom said:
Ah, the pipe I referred to in my post wasn't actually that lower Y pipe but the upper part that goes on top of it and also comes in a new revision. IIRC it's replaced when the Y pipe is replaced and is probably the most easily spotted sign of a new Y pipe.

I had both these parts replaced in my last car.
Click to expand...

To confirm, my car has the original upper part as shown in your 1st pic.

Yes, this makes it easier for the OP to check by visual inspection. However, being as this is going to be done, it's worth checking the neck of the 'Y' pipe as explained earlier.

I've had no issues with mine so far 🤞

I take it that your F-Type still has the original parts and not the modified ones?....https://www.ftypeforums.co.uk/viewtopic.php?p=62061#p62061
If so, have you had any issues with the 'Y' pipe?
 
RPSN said:
MajorTom said:
Ah, the pipe I referred to in my post wasn't actually that lower Y pipe but the upper part that goes on top of it and also comes in a new revision. IIRC it's replaced when the Y pipe is replaced and is probably the most easily spotted sign of a new Y pipe.

I had both these parts replaced in my last car.
Click to expand...

To confirm, my car has the original upper part as shown in your 1st pic.

Yes, this makes it easier for the OP to check by visual inspection. However, being as this is going to be done, it's worth checking the neck of the 'Y' pipe as explained earlier.

I've had no issues with mine so far 🤞

I take it that your F-Type still has the original parts and not the modified ones?....https://www.ftypeforums.co.uk/viewtopic.php?p=62061#p62061
If so, have you had any issues with the 'Y' pipe?
Click to expand...

Yes I still have the original parts in my car. No issues here yet either, touch wood. When I recently got the car serviced they apparently had to top up some coolant. They pressure tested the system and didn't find any issues but it could be a sign of that something is beginning so I'll be on the lookout for any coolant on the garage floor.

I'd say replacing these parts is something all of us with the AJ126/133 engines have to factor in, except maybe if someone always only drives the car very very gently and minimises the heat cycles and pressure that break these parts down over time. I tend to occasionally drive my cars to the max, albeit always with some mechanical common sense, so I don't expect mine to last.
 
MajorTom said:
Yes I still have the original parts in my car. No issues here yet either, touch wood. When I recently got the car serviced they apparently had to top up some coolant. They pressure tested the system and didn't find any issues but it could be a sign of that something is beginning so I'll be on the lookout for any coolant on the garage floor.

I'd say replacing these parts is something all of us with the AJ126/133 engines have to factor in, except maybe if someone always only drives the car very very gently and minimises the heat cycles and pressure that break these parts down over time. I tend to occasionally drive my cars to the max, albeit always with some mechanical common sense, so I don't expect mine to last.
Click to expand...

A slight loss of coolant isn’t anything to be concerned about, especially as your car’s system has been pressure tested with no issues. Some (but not all) cars that are fitted with the old parts have had problems with the ‘Y’ pipe. Both our F-Types being examples of those that haven't to date.

As stated in the Technical Bulletin I posted earlier....

“SITUATION:
A customer may express a concern that the "engine overheat" message is displayed on the Instrument Cluster (IC) and that coolant is leaking from engine compartment area.”

Hopefully the parts will last 🤞......I won’t be changing mine unless I see any obvious signs they’re on the way out. I also give my cars a good thrashing now and again but I drive sensibly most of the time!

I’ve attached two further screenshots from TOPIx which show the upper coolant outlet pipe. The first one is the original version and the second is the replacement (modified) version.....this will also help anyone distinguish between the two of them when checking if the replacement lower coolant outlet 'Y' pipe has been installed.
 

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Hi all,
driving a fantastic F-type bought 1.5 year ago, MY17 with today 69.000kms, I keep beeing worried about this Y pipe possible coolant issue. No leak at all, however I have checked on the car and the plastic pipes are the original design. Do you know if all cars are systematically concerned with this issue or can you drive 150.000kms without any coolant leak ? what would be you recommendation about this issue, keeping it like it is or making a preventive maintenance and if so during which service maitenance ? Thanks for your kind advices
 
I'm the same but after watching Tim's video I got more relaxed but check the coolant level every week.

Search on YouTube Sports & Touring F-type Y Pipe.
 
T'inquiète pas :), in many cases the piping seems to last for many miles. Similar mileage on my MY18 with the old design pipes which still hold up, touch wood. In my last Jag with the same engine several different parts of the system burst at a much lower mileage.

Since the supercharger has to come off it's arguably a bit too big of a job to be justified as preventive maintenance. If you for some reason need to remove the supercharger anyway it would make sense to replace the pipes and the water pump while you're in there.

Like WShudds says, Tim did a good video on this. Just keep driving it but be attentive to any signs of coolant leak.
 
I'd watch this to learn more about this and other reliability upgrades before deciding to replace the Y pipe.

https://youtu.be/HCks31ftebg?si=AkXlDAzsE80MR0ci
 
I was wondering the same and, as my big service involving changing the supercharger belt is due, asked my independent for his advice. He recommended that taking the supercharger off to change the Y-pipe was still too big a job just for preventative maintenance and to leave it.
 
MY 14 60k and original pipework. Sure it’s a weak spot, but if it breaks I’ll take off the supercharger then. Way too much time and effort to do as pure preventative work.
Not like replacing an easy to get to component for a few quid and a hour’s effort..
 
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