I also got the rough cast. I did have to smooth it out for the cap to sit snug. Even then I had coolant leak, just tighten the cap and went away. I also steel brushed the entire housing to get a better feel and look.

 

Thank you I'll make sure to check before dismantling.

 

How did you steel brush it, did you use a machine or do you think it can be done by hand with some wire wool or something similar?

 

various wire brushes for fitting to a drill are great for tidying parts, use these kinds of things all the time....

ROTARY WIRE BRUSHES, WHEELS, TWIST KNOT, CUP, DE - CARB, 22mm 50mm 75mm 100mm | eBay

 

I found my old multi tool in the cuboard so I'll have a go at cleaning it up tomorrow.

 

Nice car, they do seem to age well, if given some attention.
I like your wheels, much easier to clean than mine, which have about a million spokes

 

I have had a go at cleaning up the rough cast thermostat housing and its looking a bit better now, the cap goes on easy enough I just hope when its fitted it doesn't leak.

 

Some folks are painting the housing black to match, I just left mine alone. My only leak came from the housing cap, I just had to tighten up a bit more. No problems.

 

I was going through the old service records and in 2006 the previous owner had a slight leak so the cooling system was pressure tested and the thermostat housing was replaced with the same plastic as the original so I'll be glad when the new aluminium one is fitted.

 

Im having to hold off on replacing the fuel filter and thermostat housing due to work and the local Jag specialist being booked 2 weeks in advance (sucks working 500 miles from home) so I have booked her in to the garage next door to me for an oil and filter change tomorrow morning.

I will supply them with the filter and new sump plug so I can't get overcharged for them at least.

This afternoon I have given the engine bay a bit of a clean, its not too bad considering the car is 15 years old and I have changed the air filter, looks like it was probably changed on the last oil service about 7000 miles ago.

The air filter was part of the service pack from Britishparts.co.uk and its a Wix filter stamped with 'made in Poland' although it looks identical to the old one thats got a Jaguar stamp and also says 'made in Poland'.

Im guessing the previous owner was probably paying double for service consumables because they had a Jaguar stamp?