Oil leak at very front of car

[simon291971449]

Hi all. My 91 4.0 facelift auto is dripping oil from the front chin spoiler. I'm thinking this is from the oil cooler. Basic question I know, but any thoughts on sourcing and fixing the leak? Thanks.

[poprivet]

Assuming you don't live in a very hot country or tow a caravan, pull out the cooler and hoses and fit one of these.
XJS Oil Cooler Bypass Kit. (Obviously, make sure it is the cooler/hoses leaking first!)

Kit Contains

1x Bypass Pipe EBC4124
2x Bypass Connector EBC4244
4x O Rings CAC5118

Product Number: XJSBPK
__________________________________________

Fits: XJS 3.6 & 4.0 Models

[ptjs1]

Simon,

Have you verified that is engine oil? Front end of the car could be:

- coolant from rad / hoses
- transmission fluid from gearbox cooler in rad / hoses
- pas fluid
- engine oil from oil cooler/ pipes

If its engine oil, you often find its from corrosion of the metal pipe fixing on the left side where it's attached to the cooler. That's often a real problem. The dissimilar metals of the pipe fixing in the oil cooler means that its very often impossible to remove the pipe without destroying the cooler.

So you end up with 2 options:

- Replace the oil cooler
- Remove the cooler and fit a bypass plate at the engine block end. These were used on 3.2 and 4.0 XJ40 & X300 saloons which didn't have oil coolers. The adapter hasn't been available now for years. But if you can source a used one from a saloon, even in poor condition, you can buy new connectors and o-ring seals.

The oil cooler is a bit of an overkill for UK XJSs. The engine will run fine without it in our climate, as it did in the saloons. You'll also gain from reduced warm-up time on the ngine and increased airflow through the engine coolant rad.

But first, remove the front undertray and have a look!

Good luck

Paul

[ptjs1]

Apols, Pop was obviously typing at the same time as me! And it seems Berkshire Jags have got someone to remake the adapter plate.

Paul