Its funny so far maintaining my XJ6 has been a fairly straightforward job, but again the cooling system popped, this time the recovery tank. The parts to replace are straightforward enough but damn they are expensive.

The radiator was listing out at $1000 and a cost of $700 but even at that I couldn't find one, I ended up finding a used on for $100 so I lucked out.

The coolant recovery bottle lists for $320 and even used ones are almost $100. I am going to the PNP tomorrow as they have 1 car listed in my year range and hopefully it will have a tank. its $9.99 IF they have it, otherwise the car gets parked until I can source one.

Hopefully this will be the last thing though as everything else has been replaced.

 

Hi Jeh,

Sorry to hear about your cooling system issues - I went through the same problems last year and had to go the salvaged part route also. For others who may view this thread in the future, below are links to photos of the work I did on our '93.

Cheers,

Don

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Thanks Don

I had replaced 1 or 2 other hoses at various points but when I had to replace the crossover pipe gasket I ended up pulling the intake and replacing every hose on the car.

To those not in the know I think there are 17, along with both pipe gaskets, the thermostat and housing.

 

It's always hotter at the junk yard..... Found a 91-94 but it was broken so I picked up 1 earlier bottle and one later bottle hoping to make one work for a few weeks until I can get the right one.

 

So I tried to make the earlier bottle work. It physically fit in the car but as soon as I pressurized the system I found a leak....under the intake manifold


And of course the hose clamp was clocked so I couldn't get at it. . So I spent about 25 minutes getting at it so I didnt have to pull the manifold. I fixed that and tied the system again.

The replacement bottle failed at 10 psi.

I gave up and a few days ago found one on ebay so hers is hoping for next week.


Bottom line - It looks as though an older bottle will work minus the level sensor but a 95-97 wont fit at all.

 

If I recall when I replaced my tank with one from a 90 xj40 I pulled the sensor out of the 90 and put the sensor from my 94 into the tank and the sensor fit right in. That was easier than changing the terminal ends. Cary

 

The prior gen tank has a completely different style bottle and sensor. There is a chassis break in the late 89 or early 90 range. It screws in to the side of the tank facing the firewall vs dropping in from the top.

 

Must be the one I got was late production cause the only difference between the replacement and the original was the sensor and the label on top of the tank.

 

I'm still having issues. The car boils over as I approach the house. The last 1/3 of a mile is on a dirt road and I'm going slow. The gauge doesn't indicate that the cars hot, even a little, but it boils over past the recovery cap.

I first thought head gasket but the engine doesn't build pressure or smoke like a head. I'm going to get a new cap tomorrow and if there is no change pop the stat and look. Though it's not acting like a stat.

A little stumped as I usually don't see caps go bad unless they physically break but any things possible.

 

Hi Jeh,

The pressure cap on the header tank/reservoir of our '93 failed several years ago, so that may very well be your problem.

Reading your prior posts, you've replaced the thermostat, so that seems less likely (although you don't say how long ago that was). My sense is that we tend to get about 5 years out of a 'stat, and so far they have always failed in the open position, but now that I've said so the next failure will no doubt be closed...

Please keep us informed!

Cheers,

Don

 

The thermostat was replaced not long ago when I did all the hoses and had the intake manifold off.

I want to say it was in the Fall. I picked up an actual Jaguar cap so there shouldn't be any doubt that it's a good cap.

Here is hoping.

 

Hope it's that simple! Fingers crossed!

 

update?

 

The cap seemed to do the trick. It was that simple. I only had a quick drive but that's all it took before. I'm going to take a longer run this evening before I take it to work tomorrow

 

Hey great news there Jeh - wish they were all as simple as this!

Larry

 

I know. Now its off to figure out the Wif's Land Rover.

The speedometer stops working, and at idle it stalls. Ive finally got the thing to pop a code and its leading to a VSS for the speedometer. So it may be easy as well....Maybe. But thats another forum.