Winterizing my X308 & the coolant tank's cap will not budge, tried grips,tapping with hammer etc.

Thanks

 

Sir King,


Tried large channel locks? When my X308 was new to me I had to remove coolant cap that way several times. If cap is old I recommend replacement. Mine began to lock itself in place about the same time it no longer reliably sent coolant to the underfender tank. But did occasionally send coolant all over tank.


Perhaps "Renew older coolant and gas caps" should be added to "tensioners" as standard X308 maintenance step.

 

Indeed I've never struggled as mightily as I have with this cap, added to my to-do list.

 

Have you tried an oil filter removal tool on it? I used one to remove the coolant cap on someone's S Type V8. It's worth replacing the cap if it's old as mentioned above, and perhaps a very light coating of grease on the threads to assist future removal.

 

Big Channel Locks and a swab of silicon

 

Trick with these caps is to push down on it as you turn anti-clockwise....works for me ;o)
And if the cap hasn't been replaced in the last three years, the owner should
be dragged out into the street and shot ;o))

 

New cap ordered lol.

 

The arrangement is similar to any jar.

The goal is often to enlarge the cap while the container
neck remains the same size.

Have channel locks at the ready, pour a kettle full of boiling
water over the cap. Try removing immediately.

Knowing that these like to stick, I smear the thread on the
neck and the interior of the neck with silicon grease.

 

I only close it (less than) finger tight, and the cap never leaked on me, not did it stuck or came loose.
I read somewhere that the design is such that it seals without pressure, but I am not sure on that.
Seems to work though.

 

I had to use a hair dryer on my old MB wagon a few months ago -- Brake fluid tank cap. The cap on the Jag does get tight -- don't over tighten. I have had to use a rag and a large channel lock previously -- not sure I would do it now without giving a little heat.

I heated the MB's cap due to the cars age (2002) ... I did not want to snap any of the tank mounts. I would have the same concern with the Jaguar's tank -- older plastic coupled to a known weak point. Using a suitable plastic friendly grease on the threads is my typical remedy -- I always have a tube of Jack's multi lube around as I have a swimming pool.

 

Godspeed...

 

Two things cause this problem....over tightening and not enough
regular inspections!
As Eric has eluded to, the cap is designed in such a way as to work without excessive tightening ;o]
This problem is also exacerbated by the coolant as it ages.
As it gets older the additives are depleted which in turn reduces it's
'lubricity'.

 

I don't think any lubricity is lost. The glycol base
is always there.

 

The caps have always been a bit of a problem -- I was told when my first x308 was new not to over tighten the cap.

 

Indeed, every 308 I've encountered has had this issue.

 

The cap is NOT the problem....it's understanding how it is designed to
be used is the problem!
With the natural tendancy of a lot of grease monkeys and owners to
screw the bejeezas out of it when it is unnecessary!
This is the 21st century fer chrissake!!!!!!!!!

 

And your understanding would be?

It's a cap -- one puts it "on" and then can't get it "off" ... that's my understanding.

Some may be thinking .. well the cars are old and something is occurring that is now making the caps difficult to remove. I'm explaining that the caps have always been temperamental .... and can stick when properly installed. The caps/tank are the problem.

 

Bollocks!
I'm sure you are aware that the pressure cap is replaced as a service item,
usually when the coolant is changed every three years.....but then again....the average seems to be never....along with the coolant and then the moaning and bitching starts and it has to be the fault of the vehicle or the manufacturer....give me strength!