AJ16 Water Heater Position

[ptjs1]

a bit of a long shot but I wonder if anyone can help me out on my latest project.

I'm fitting a genuine Jaguar pre-heating element as fitted to Canadian and other cold-climate markets.

The heating element fits in a metal T-piece pipe which is normally fitted in a replacement lower hose. I have the T-piece, heating element and wire. However, I am going to split my existing bottom hose and cut out a small section and then fit the T-piece as the replacement hose is £157!!!

I'd really like to see a picture of one fitted and also the position of the wiring, so that I can decide the orientation of the T-piece as originally designed by Jaguar.

So if anyone has one of these heaters fitted in an AJ16-engined XJS (AJ6 bottom hoses are quite different), I'd really appreciate it you could post a pic here or email it to me.

Tks in advance

Paul

[dhdove]

Are you expecting climate change to bring severe Canadian winter conditions to your temperate south east location?

I guess this is an exercise in what can be done.......
On those rare occasions when it's cold and you need to move the car, why not fire it up and go indoors and make a cup of tea?

Good luck with your project Paul.....
.....NB this is a totally unhelpful post, but couldn't resist
Best
TonyS

[ptjs1]

Tony,

Despite the awful floods in Somerset, I'm not expecting sub-arctic weather here in West Malling!

However, it is more than just a case of doing it just because I can! With my continuing back problem, I've been using the XJS infrequently but I still want to start it up every few weeks. As we know, if you start the car, you really need to get it up to full operating temperature to avoid bore wash of petrol, oil emulsification in the cam cover etc etc. I also still stand by the theory that nearly all the wear in an engine happens in the first 30 seconds of starting the car from cold.

So, if I can pre-heat the engine, I'll avoid the cold-start wear and also help to get the car warmed quickly without wasting petrol.

I was wondering if the Canadian market brochure showed a pic of the pre-heater, or if there are any homologation pictures produced by Jaguar? Maybe Jaguar Mike has some info?

Paul

[dhdove]

Hi Paul

"also still stand by the theory that nearly all the wear in an engine happens in the first 30 seconds of starting the car from cold"

I think you're right there.
Hence regular oil changes a major preventative service item, irrespective of miles covered.

TonyS

[ptjs1]

Today, the next stage of this rather protracted project to install a pre-heater in my XJS took place.

I've just bought a Birchwood 3.3kva twin outlet transformer on ebay from a local seller and picked it up. Extremely clean, hardly used and much better condition than most of the site rubbish that I've seen recently. Worth the £26, in my opinion. At 3st in weight, I realise why everyone sells these as "Collection in Person" on ebay!

Once home, I wired up a spare lead that I had bought, with a 110v site plug and put the heating element in a saucepan of 14 degree C water. Not a very scientific experiment, I know but I just wanted to check that everything worked. After 12 minutes, my oven thermometer was showing 84 degrees when touching the water pipe, which was immersed in water. So I'm sure the heater is powerful enough to heat the coolant sufficiently to open the 'stat after a short period.



So, sufficient confidence to now move to the installation phase. I was going to buy a spare bottom hose and cut that up to install the water pipe and heater (The bottom hose on an AJ16 is a very complex affair and costs £150!). However, I don't think I want to completely dismantle my hose system, so I'll drain the system, cut mine in situ for the install and then buy a 2nd-hand pipe to keep as a spare.

At this rate, I'll just finish the job in time for the winter!

Paul

[Brakebuster]

wouldn't it of been easier to use the gas to heat up that pan of water ?




BB

is there another section of pipe/ water rail that this can be added to ? not just the bottom hose

[ptjs1]

BB,

This heating element is so efficient, I'm currently steaming some salmon and vegetables with it rather than use my hob....


The "bottom hose" of an AJ16 is a bit of a misnomer. Jaguar, in their wisdom, decided to create a single "branch" hose system that combines the bottom hose, hose to water pump, pipe to heater matrix, pipe to header tank and pipe to thermostat. It's all rubber-welded together. Hence the £150 price tag! So, there is only one other hose which is the top hose. I've always been led to believe that you should put these heaters in the bottom hose, presumable because it heats the coolant around the block faster?

Paul

[J44EAG]

The appliance of science JEC style.

Is it only single men with bad backs who have perhaps gone slightly off their trollies that find it necessary to use a site transformer to warm up a salmon? Damned good idea, Paul.

I suppose I must fall into that category as I`m going to use my bench press to crush some grapes and make my own wine. Any washing up needed is done in the shot blast cabinet whilst beer bottle tops are removed using a three leg gear puller. Any cheese acquired which is devoid of holes, goes straight on the pillar drill and is subjected to the most rigorous quality control before consumption.

I have it on good authority this evening that both smoked salmon and white wine are freely available cooked and pre-bottled from outlets known as Tescos, Morrisons and Asda. There may be some members who don`t know that.

Like Paul, my kitchen is also part of my workshop. There is no clear division or boundary which often confuses and upsets lady visitors greatly. The last one who looked in my fridge became upset at finding a tube of epoxy putty and a small supply of super glue alongside a bottle of Bolinger kept back for a special occasion.

Good to hear of Pauls continued pioneering spirit.

Mike

[Brakebuster]

Ah,,,,Tesco....... heard of that , i think its where my wife goes when i go out to my garage to sleep , ahem , i mean work on one of my projects....


BB

[Brakebuster]

i do have these pipes mind........for the heater element....... and spare power cords ,

pm me

BB

[oldtimer]

Mike, how long will it be before all that stuff goes through the bottom of the boat !!??

P