Really discouraged about my new to me Xj,I got the lift and everything installed,lockers new tires and a buncha new goodies and has seemed to run great great but after noticing a leak around the oil filter I replaced the oil filter adapter o-rings today.After test driving it about 1 block and then leaving it idling in the drive way to check for leaks I noticed something leaking.Look under there and theres water dripping off the rear of the bell housing and about 30 sec later the radiator blows apart at the top around the plastic area on the passenger side!No milky oil and it was running great.Doesnt have a temp gauge cluster but didnt seem to be overheating.The freeze plugs along the block dont seem to be leaking either?Good news is no oil leak.Any ideas?

 

Obviously I have to stick a new radiator in but where should I go from there?

 

Why do you suspect a head gasket?

I'd replace that radiator and monitor it.

 

"stick a new radiator in" & find the leak. There's 3 plugs? One in the back of the head and two below? sorry btw. That sucks.

 

I think there are six, I think 5 on the side of the block and one behind at the top...

 

Just thinking head gasket because of the water leaking at the rear of the engine down the bell housing

 

Did some checking. Yea, two on the back of the block. One on the back of the head. Hope it was a heater hose squirting or something.

 

I just went through this with my "new to me" 2000.
If there is any grey in the oil, or any smell of gas or exhaust in the rad it it builds pressure (cap off, hand over cold rad) immediately after start up, it is likely a head gasket. NOTHING but a headgasket job will fix it.

Mine was warped in both directions and cracked to boot, had to replace the head.
Check the valve guides, replace the valve seals, surface the head, and use a new gasket. Check the block for flatness, I had to dress mine up a bit with a file. We don't use sealer any more, the gaskets are designed to slide. I'd suggest undoing the pipe(s) and pulling the head with both manifolds still on it and re-install it the same way.

If it shows the signs (above, and your blown rad is indicative of a headgasket failure), BELIEVE THEM! Don't keep driving it, don't put Barr's Leaks in it, don't keep replacing all the other parts or the damage will get worse (bearings, heater core, O2 sensor, etc). These are and easy motor to work on and diagnose. Old school American.

Mine now works like a charm. Lots of power and good fuel mileage.
Good luck,

Steve

 

Stop leak is horrible stuff. It gets everywhere and then crystalizes. My best friend's 4.3L took a huge crap because the PO used that stuff for a blown head gasket. It sounded like a maraca after we finally got it running. And about half of the oil in it was all sludged, more like pudding. Holy crap that was a PITA We put a JY motor in it and it runs fine now. The auto shop class took it apart and every bearing was wrecked. Learn from other people's mistakes, thats all I can tell you.

 

None of those signs,just water leaking from the back of the engine area and then the radiator cracked open on the side.Im hoping a freeze plug is the culprit as far as the leak and it was just coincidental with the rad.

 

With luck, you just had a leak, got hot, and that's what blew the radiator. If I had to check the plug on the back of my head I'd probably stick a rag down there and see if it came up wet. Good luck.