I have a restored xke which I purchased at auction last year. It initially ran well but I noticed that the coolant disappeared without any evidence of leaking from the radiator. I refilled it with antifreeze and it dissapeared again!! Now I notice the car is smoking and the exhaust smells like anti-freeze. Does anyone know what I'm looking at here? The oil still looks good and not like a "milkshake". Is the head leaking? What to do? HELP???

 

Just from your description it sounds like a blown head gasket, cracked or warped head or both. I'm not sure how inclined you are to DIY, but you may want to seek out a Jaguar specialist in your area who knows the inline six engines.

Good luck,

Mike

 

I think the key word in your post is "restored". These engines are not renowned for head gasket failure, (I assume it is a 3.8 litre ?).

However, if the much later 4.2 litre engine has been fitted with the long studs, (these are about 12" long, by the way and pass through the coolant jacket), then these definitely have lots of problems. If you can let us know exactly what engine is fitted we (or I) can advise. Any idea what the engine number is ?

 

The jag is a 4.3. Liter. It's not the original engine and I do have the serial number but not with me (I'm at my daughter's college graduation)
any reputable places in NY? I live in northern westchester. Thanks

 

If the engine is not the original, it is likely a 4.2 long stud engine. These are notorious for block cracking. They were all made around the time the idiots of British Leyland were engaged in wrecking the Jaguar company.

There are only two known cures: -

1. Try to find an uncracked 7L block - these don't crack so much, (3 out of 5, whereas the 8Ls are 8 out of 10). Then dismantle your engine and rebuild it around the uncracked block. I did this in 1994.

2. Bore out cylinder liners, machine recesses in top op block round each bore and fit "top-hat" liners so the lips cover the cracks.

PM or e-mail me if you want more info.

 

Fraser
Any knowledge on Series 1.5 valve settings. Do we go with 4/6 of series 1 or 12/14 of series 2?

Thanks

Tom

 

Hi Tom
It's not so much Series 1.5 and Series 2 as the engine. What is your engine, a 3.8 or 4.2 ? If it's a 4.2, I suspect you apply the same clearances as used in the Series 2s which were all 4.2 litre. There was a change of camshaft profile that gave rise to the different settings. My 1967 2.4 Mark 2 was 4/6 and 1980 XJ6 4.2 12/14