Cooling System Overhaul / update Query ?

[Gary220262]

Hi Guys
Im planning to change original thermostat tower, water pump for later metal ones & flush / renew coolant next weekend, my 99 3.2 sport has no sticker on header tank and looks to contain the blue type anti freeze / coolant (although its nearly pure water in colour with a blue tint !) will it be safe to give it a good flush and use the red 4life coolant or would it be better to use what looks to be the blue thats alredy in ? is it easy to flush all old out ? and what is the capacity to re-fill, any thoughts or advice greatly appreciated, thanks Gary.

[J44EAG]

Try this, Gary.

http://www.jec.org.uk/forums/viewtopic.php?f=201&t=4685

See also my recent magazine article about modified water pump fitment.

Use orange antifreeze in aluminium engines. Blue is for mixed metal power units.

Suggest you drop the bottom hose off the radiator to get all the blue out. Refill with orange.

Hope that helps.

Mike

[Gary220262]

Hi Mike
Thanks for all info, ive got article from Oct 2009 mag and also another from Aug 2008 + your post as well so hopefully should be O.K. Sourced tower, thermostat & water pump at SNG & Berks Jags not much differance on price but would would sooner pay more for better item, anybody else i should be looking at to supply ? dont suppose you know how much coolant i need, Cheers Gary

[J44EAG]

Hello Gary,

Try Neville Anderson at North East Jag Spares. He is well known and trusted by many of us. His parts prices are a fraction of the equivalent from Jaguar. In many cases they are from the same supply chain.

V8 coolant capacity is 10 litres at 50/50 water antifreeze mix. Spec is DOW D542.

Mike

[Gary220262]

Many thanks for all your help / advice Mike i shall get all parts and set about it next weekend, il let you know how i get on, doesn't look too taxing (famous last words !) thanks again.
Gary

[J44EAG]

This is a fine and useful tip.

To avoid having to lift the inlet manifold, Gary, have an 8mm ring spanner (otherwise known as a Jenner Jogler!) hot bent to 90degrees about 15mm in from the ring end.

The spanner when bent like this will allow you to undo the two rear bolts on the base of the thermostat tower. Unless you have such a cranked spanner, you will find those bolts impossible to remove. This will ruin your day as the manifold would have to be taken off and a new gasket - not cheap- fitted after the manifold is lifted. The spanner gets around the problem.

Also dilute antifreeze 50/50 with water before filling the engine. That avoids difficulties getting the air out of the system. Pure antifreeze is notorious for causing evil airlocks in cooling systems!

Mike

[Gary220262]

Thanks again Mike il get my Uri Geller head on tomorrow and try bending spanner, will a ring spanner fit or is it that tight il need an open ended one, ordered parts from Neville at North East Jags on line as well worked out a tenner cheaper too can put that towards my anti freeze !

[J44EAG]

Yes, bend the ring end but do it orange hot or you are likely to snap the spanner!

A decent slimline spanner is needed. The open end is likely to get jammed up on obstructions as the jaw profile is often quite chunky.

You will probably need mole grips on the non bent end of the spanner just to get the bolts turning. After that fingers can turn the bolt heads.

The bent spanner is also useful to undo the five bolts on the water pump. Again there are a couple of obstructions and the bent spanner comes into action again.

Gawd bless Mr Jenner on this one!

Mike

[Gary220262]

Well i finally got around to changing water pump, thermostat tower and full flush & new red coolant . Did take about 4 hours in total but 2 hours were spent removing the two rear thermostat housing bolts ( good job there wasn't a swear box nearby) and that was with my "Jenner Joggler" and as Mike said God bless Mr Jenner and if i ever meet you the dinks on me !, dont know how you undid the bolts with your fingers Mike but i couldn't get my hands / fingers near let alone turn bolts ! (mind you they do resemble a bunch of bananas )

Did manage to cause myself another job (as usual) when i broke plastic end clip on overflow pipe ? from header tank to radiator when refitting serpentine belt but got one ordered.

Both tower and water pump showed no signs of wear at all after 70,000 miles - 13 years but at least i wont have to worry about them again , fingers crossed. Many thanks for help and advice
given and the mine of information that is the Board Index . worth the yearly subscription alone, and then the Magazine which i read front to back (twice) even on cars i can only dream about.

[J44EAG]

Whilst sorting the coolant system, Gary, you might also consider replacing the coolant sensor. Details of that procedure here. When that little perisher gives up, it can really spoil your day!

http://www.jec.org.uk/forums/viewtopic.php?f=201&t=6228

Glad to have been of assistance.

Mike

[Gary220262]

Already in hand Mike thanks, after reading about your "Saga" last weekend ive ordered one already, i dont like leaving things to chance when its so easy an so little in cost to avoid.

[robv12]

free drinks mentioned here, where do I collect these then, well done on the job and glad the Jenner Joggler worked once more

Mr Jenner