Replacement 'Y' Coolant pipes & water pump

ReggieB

New member
Hi all, I'm new to the forum, having just bought a 2013 F-Type Convertible with the 3.0 V6 engine. It has only 30,000 miles on the clock and has been well looked after by the previous owner.
That said, I'd like to proactively replace the known-problem coolant pipes—specifically the Y-pipe located beneath the supercharger, and the connecting pipe that sits on top. I've seen both plastic and aluminium replacement options available from various online suppliers.
Does anyone have experience with either type, particularly in terms of durability and fit? Aluminium seems like the obvious choice, but I'd appreciate any recommendations on which is best and where to buy quality parts. With regards to the above I'd welcome any suggestions on replacement water pumps too.
Thanks in anticipation.
Update: I've now seen the helpful post by RPSN on 25th Feb 2025;aluminium upper and lower coolant outlet pipes.
https://www.ftypeforums.co.uk/viewtopic.php?f=21&t=9053

This relates to the same subject. If anyone has anything to add to that, it would be interesting but otherwise I'll try @EuroAMP's version.
 
Personally I'd not spend that much money on labour and parts on replacements that may never fail. Mine from the same year and model has >60k mileage and no issue at all. Forums by their very nature amplify issues that are not that common.

For the water pump I had mine swapped out when the aux and supercharger belts were changed as 90% of the work to get the water pump is done at that time. Check your service history to see they were changed at the 9 year/144k service. If not schedule them as it's well overdue and do together. Again if it's not got any weeping on the front seal leave I'd it alone.
 
Thanks for the response and sound advice I'm sure, however, I'm a little concerned that I may have a slight issue as the coolant level had dropped after a 2 hour drive. Only by a very small margin but is was on the maximum level mark at the beginning and afterwards it was just about on the minimum level. I've topped it up and will see how it goes. No obvious signs of a leak and temperature is normal. Service history is regular, completed annually (non-franchised garage) does not show anything other that fluid changes and filters. However, a call to this garage suggested that they had 'changed the supercharger belts' a few years ago?
 
So instead of spending all that money on the Y pipe and others I’d trace the leak. If one of those pipes had gone it would be a significant leak.
For small losses of fluid I’d be checking for a cracked radiator header tank as they do go with age and vent minor steam so you don’t see anything. Aside that look for evidence where the fluid has dripped, dried off and left stains.
For a few £s the Indy should be able to send you a proper record of the service job sheets so you can be sure all the service items over the last decade or so have been done.
Also check the OSH on Jaguar. Just enter your vin and see what’s uploaded.
 
Not meaning to intentionally hijack this thread. Is these a problem also on the V8's, circa 2015 and onward.
What determines the time or the need for replacement ie. age, mileage or do none of these apply.

My issue here in South Africa is that we don't have qualified after market mechanics that specialize in such cars so if this malady afflicts my car I'm pretty much stuck with JLR.

Thanks all.
 
ReggieB said:
I'm a little concerned that I may have a slight issue as the coolant level had dropped after a 2 hour drive. Only by a very small margin but is was on the maximum level mark at the beginning and afterwards it was just about on the minimum level. I've topped it up and will see how it goes. No obvious signs of a leak and temperature is normal.

Hello and welcome to the forum.

That sounds very familiar to me as it was happening on my car. If the coolant level keeps dropping the leak could be caused by the thermostat as explained in my topic here...https://www.ftypeforums.co.uk/viewtopic.php?t=9061

I could just about manage to get my hand down in the gap at the front of the left air intake tube (see 1st photo in the link above) and place my fingers on the thermostat join/seam. When the coolant was warm/hot it was leaking onto my fingers. It's worth you checking this.

Another thing to check....remove the plastic top engine cover and ensure the coolant expansion tank bleed hose is properly connected to the upper coolant outlet pipe as shown in the 2nd photo here...https://www.ftypeforums.co.uk/viewtopic.php?p=90212#p90212 It’s a push fit and the two lugs hold it in position.
 
gasgas said:
did it get hot after 2 hour drive, if still above min would consider that normal

It’s rather obvious that the engine coolant will get hot after a 2 hour drive. Also, coolant expands with heat and contracts when cooling down. The coolant expansion tank is designed to cater for this.

The OP has stated the coolant was on the maximum level at the beginning of the journey but was just about on the minimum level afterwards. If this continues it certainly indicates a leak which could be caused by the thermostat etc?
 
coolant expansion tank is designed to cater for this. So whats the problem if after a drive it's still above min?
 
gasgas said:
coolant expansion tank is designed to cater for this. So whats the problem if after a drive it's still above min?

Read through the second paragraph in my previous reply and you should be able to understand.
 
If the engine coolant has recently been changed (not sure from what the OP has said so far?) it could very well be the system settling. However, if the coolant level keeps dropping this indicates a leak and it’s worth the OP checking what I mentioned earlier in this thread...https://www.ftypeforums.co.uk/viewtopic.php?p=91256#p91256
 
Tim Atkinson said:
It seems that Jaguar have now replaced the second generation Y-Pipe with a new metal one, with a higher price tag to accompany it.

If needed, the extra few quid (approx £50-£70) for the OEM aluminium pipes is money well spent I’d say.

Aluminium upper and lower coolant outlet pipes’...https://www.ftypeforums.co.uk/viewtopic.php?t=9053
 
I replaced my Y-pipe with the aluminium one, water pump and serviced the supercharger last week. I had no symptoms, but the car was on 62k and it was causing me some anxiety. Glad I did get it replaced as it was already leaking!

IMG_5523.jpeg
 
are there checks you can do to see if there could be a Y pipe problem when buying a new car.......I am looking at 2014-2015's with around 40k on them....(apart from asking the seller of course)!!!
 
go for a good run and let it stand on the garage floor for a good time and have a look on the floor and a tourch to check out the engine bay and undo the rad filler cap and listen if it releases pressure just be carful about steam and hot water blowing out
 
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