XK8 4.0 Cooling
Discussion
So, first Advisory from Nene Jags following the MoT and 100k Service, is that it runs a bit hot. They did a flush which has improved things a little, but I do need to address the Thermostat and Water pump (the 2 traditional weak areas of the cooling system)
I have ordered an Aluminium Thermostat housing, new Thermostat and Water Pump, all with gaskets. I have checked my crossover pipe and that seems OK, but will inspect it when it is off
I have also ordered a flexible 8mm ratchet spanner and a Crows foot to get at the rear mounting bolts of the housing
I have found these two web pages with instructions for the work:
http://www.jagrepair.com/ThermostatHousing4XK8.htm
http://www.jagrepair.com/WaterPumpCrossoverPipexk8...
so I think I just need some coolant (any recomendations?) and distilled water to top up the system afterwards (it had a new drive belt in the service too) Anything I have missed, or any advice? I aim to do it the week after next
I have ordered an Aluminium Thermostat housing, new Thermostat and Water Pump, all with gaskets. I have checked my crossover pipe and that seems OK, but will inspect it when it is off
I have also ordered a flexible 8mm ratchet spanner and a Crows foot to get at the rear mounting bolts of the housing
I have found these two web pages with instructions for the work:
http://www.jagrepair.com/ThermostatHousing4XK8.htm
http://www.jagrepair.com/WaterPumpCrossoverPipexk8...
so I think I just need some coolant (any recomendations?) and distilled water to top up the system afterwards (it had a new drive belt in the service too) Anything I have missed, or any advice? I aim to do it the week after next
So, had a crack at it today! took a large brave pill and made busy with the spanners...
It is always hard to effectively 'break' a working engine...but it had to be done
the radiator fans took some getting out...altough once I had unclipped the oil cooler pipe fro underneath it came out easier!
some of the pipe clips were tricky, but easier once I switched from pliers to Stilson wrench
The main sticking point was the dreaded 8mm bolts at the back o fthe thermostat housing, neither fo my solutions worked (crows feet and bendy ratchet wrench) so I bent an 8mm ring spanner, but that didn't work either, the bolts were just too soft and I was in danger of rounding them off.
I took the decision to leave the hosuing in situ as it was Ok and just change the top and front parts for aluminuim.
I then removed the water pump (once I had googled how to slacken the belt tension!) and found that the plastic skirt was breaking up and it didn't run as smooth as it should (good call to change it).
I then re-fitted everything (replacing the spring clip on the lower radiator hose with a Jubilee clip) and topped it up, this is when I discovered that I had not bought enough coolant, so will ahve to wait for tomorrow to test and see where it leaks from!!
It is always hard to effectively 'break' a working engine...but it had to be done
the radiator fans took some getting out...altough once I had unclipped the oil cooler pipe fro underneath it came out easier!
some of the pipe clips were tricky, but easier once I switched from pliers to Stilson wrench
The main sticking point was the dreaded 8mm bolts at the back o fthe thermostat housing, neither fo my solutions worked (crows feet and bendy ratchet wrench) so I bent an 8mm ring spanner, but that didn't work either, the bolts were just too soft and I was in danger of rounding them off.
I took the decision to leave the hosuing in situ as it was Ok and just change the top and front parts for aluminuim.
I then removed the water pump (once I had googled how to slacken the belt tension!) and found that the plastic skirt was breaking up and it didn't run as smooth as it should (good call to change it).
I then re-fitted everything (replacing the spring clip on the lower radiator hose with a Jubilee clip) and topped it up, this is when I discovered that I had not bought enough coolant, so will ahve to wait for tomorrow to test and see where it leaks from!!
OK, did a test run on the drive last night and a quick tour around the village to get it up to temperature to check for leaks and that the fans came on...no leaks and the fans did cut in, but at low speed...
Parked in a different spot on the drive and no incontinence this morning...
checked the levels and topped up (not much needed) started up, still no leaks and then did a 18 mile round trip to the nearest Tesco for Picnic supplies for a day out, which included a high lepton speed as well as some crawling around a car park. the heater went from cold to hot and back again when prompted and there were no leaks when we arrived at Tesco...
On the way back I switched on the Aircon and for the first time in ages it was ice cold!! When we got back on the drive I switched off and the fans did not cut in! no intense heat radiating from the car, but I did find a leak...well a slight weeping from the small pipe running from the header tank to the top of the thermostat housing. It has a silly clip on that I felt was not particularly good at the time, so have swapped that for a jubilee clip.
So, it seems to have cured the issue and seems to be working ok, I have put a pot of coolant and enough tools to fix anything that I touched in the boot just in case....so fingers crossed!!
Next job will be to re-bush the Front ARB and replace the drop links....
Parked in a different spot on the drive and no incontinence this morning...
checked the levels and topped up (not much needed) started up, still no leaks and then did a 18 mile round trip to the nearest Tesco for Picnic supplies for a day out, which included a high lepton speed as well as some crawling around a car park. the heater went from cold to hot and back again when prompted and there were no leaks when we arrived at Tesco...
On the way back I switched on the Aircon and for the first time in ages it was ice cold!! When we got back on the drive I switched off and the fans did not cut in! no intense heat radiating from the car, but I did find a leak...well a slight weeping from the small pipe running from the header tank to the top of the thermostat housing. It has a silly clip on that I felt was not particularly good at the time, so have swapped that for a jubilee clip.
So, it seems to have cured the issue and seems to be working ok, I have put a pot of coolant and enough tools to fix anything that I touched in the boot just in case....so fingers crossed!!
Next job will be to re-bush the Front ARB and replace the drop links....
Edited by Fat Albert on Wednesday 14th August 08:41
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