As I have previously mentioned my kingfisher blue '91 self destructed on the way back from country victoria when the fan blade went through the radiator. This was because the fan was clipping the radiator on the way round which was in turn because the previous owner had struck something on his farm and the lower radiator support panel had been bent back.


I removed everything and gave the panel a good belting it is quite thin and pushed back easily. The new radiator and fan went in nicely albeit the the oil cooler connections were quite stiff to do up.

Good battery in and away she goes, very nice. Prior to starting I had also put in 8 litres of finest penrite oil and a new filter. And a new air filter the old one was black, new bonnet struts.

One shocker bush needed replacing and the sway bay was flopping around violently at the drivers side so I fixed those as well.

Got some green coolant to put in now nobody can tell me what goes in the jag 4 litre all the shops have books that say contact dealer.

Next fuel filter, then complete re bush of the front end, new rubber all round, new discs the old ones are shot....its nice that she goes though.

Anyone got any tips on how to make/hire/buy a spring compressor???

How can I tell if the thermostat is open?

Thanks guys , Mick

 

The good old Jaguar Spring Compressor tool (JD115).... over $500 to buy a new one here in Oz.

What I'm about to describe can be extremely dangerous and must only be carried out at your own risk! The spring is under enormous tension and has about 180mm of travel before this tension is released.

I chose to keep my money and make up my own from information gathered on various sites. It consisted of buying some lengths of high tensile threaded rod M8 which I cut into 6 lengths 250mm long, 12 high tensile nuts to fit, lots of large washers and 6 dome nuts to fit. See list below, prices in $AUD and bought from https://boltsnutsscrewsonline.com/

(everything needs to be high tensile... cheap soft stuff from bunnings will leave you with a trip to the dentist and probably a full set of new chompers!!!)

SKU10013 M8 x 1000mm black high tensile threaded rod per each $13.20 x 2 = $26.40

SKU1827 8mm - 5/16 inch F436 HARD ZYP WASHER $0.08 x 12 = $0.96

SKU9621 M8 Flange Nut $0.44 x 6 = $2.64

SKU3041 304 DIN1587 A2 DOME NUT: M8 $0.53 x 6 = $3.18

SKU1779 ZP AS1112 CL 8 HEX NUT: M8 $0.04 x 6 = $0.24

Grand Total (with postage and GST) = $42.92

(For an extra $20, I recommend making 12 rods instead of 6 to make life easier and also you can leave them all attached to the wishbones throughout the dis-assembly/reassembly. This will avoid stripping the spring pan bolt threads from the constant removal/installation to complete both sides)

Here's how it works:

The threaded rods become both guide pins and hold the tension of the spring pan as you slowly back it off.

Fit a dome nut to one end of each threaded rod - this will help you grip the rod to stop it from spinning as you back off the spring pan.

Fit two nuts to each threaded rod and then a washer or two. The first nut, closest to the dome nut, will help you remove the threaded rod from the wishbone when you are done. The second nut keeps the tension on the spring pan itself as you carry out the removal.

jack up front end nice and high, removing everything you need to first (wheels, brakes, rotors, bearings, dust shield). You'll also need to lower your steering gear/rack to remove the inner lower wishbone pivot bolts. You need at least 350mm of clearance from the bottom of the spring pan to the ground, higher if possible.

slowly remove one spring pan bolt from Jag and immediately replace it with one of the threaded rods, tightening it up with the lower dome nut.... then tighten up one of the nuts (with washers installed) hard against the spring pan (this replicates the original bolt which you just removed) Do not remove all 6 spring pan bolts at once - see reference to dentist above)

then repeat procedure for remaining 5 spring pan bolts.

with a jack under the spring pan in case anything goes wrong you need to slowly back off each nut a few turns at a time, also lower your jack a little each time to provide clearance. keep doing this until the spring pan has no more pressure on it from the spring and you can safely remove it and the spring all together. Do not let the threaded rod come undone from the wishbone as you do this

repeat the procedure on the other side.

installation is opposite of removal.

If I had my time over I would have fashioned up a proper single rod that more closely replicates the Jaguar tool as the "6 threaded rod' method outlined above is scarey, dangerous, a pain in the A$$ and takes a lot of time!!!

sorry I haven't got any pictures.

 

p.s. before you start the work I thoroughly recommend getting hold of a cartridge of Inox MX6 grease for the reassembly. apply liberally to everything (except where you need to use threadlock or nylock nuts)

MX6 is rubber safe and will not deteriorate your nice new bushes

Also a good idea to have a ratchet type spanner for backing off the nuts. It will save a lot of time.

Re coolant: The Green Nulon does the trick but don't forget to add a bottle of Bars Stop Leak. It's recommended by Jaguar in a TSB.

 

Spring compressor?!?! I have one! Want to borrow it? I don't know about oz, but i was able to buy one (a pair) fairly easily at Sears.....maybe try Lisle brand? but that wasn't too recently thinking about it. I've used it several times including Roger this past summer. It's not a special one just 2 threaded stocks with hook-type clamps. Didn't hurt at all. Best luck. Sounds like you have it under control in any case.

 

Thanks gents. Ive got a spring compressor I believe the same as gerry mentioned but the jag spring is so long I wouldnt be confident it will do the job. Maybe give it a try eh, thanks a heap jagfix38 great detail.

I asked about the thermostat because ive just filled her with 9 and half litres after replacing the radiator would that have fille dup the block/heads as well? Anyway ran her till pretty warm, no leaks except an oil leak from the lower transmission line into the radiator and that has snipped up nicely now.

May be of interest I replaced the rubber flaps on the radiator cowling with new, as the 22yo rubber had gone completely hard and didnt bend even just broke. Maybe will work now as it should. Its a simple job and cheap, buy some rubber same thickness as origonal, cut out, drill out pop rivets and rivet new flaps in. Looks better as well.

Anyone got a gear knob in near new condition?

If you ever take the radiator out plug the lines going in from the pwr steering reservoir, the fluid costs $20 a litre (here anyway). Mick

 

Just another thought if your compressor doesn't work out. I would contact a Jaguar owners club in Oz and see if they have one to loan.

Here in the US, the JCNA has a tool rental program for members that is basically free. I think that JEC in UK has something similar.

Would be worth a go.

Cheers,

Allan

 

Hi gents made up my own spring compressor , havent used it yet but its a replica of the jag tool in high tensile 20 mm and t piece at the top 1 and 1/4 inch by 1/4 inch hardened steel dowel. This will be used along with 8mm rod on the two mid holes on the spring pan. Will replace all bj's and bushes . Car running well new oil , coolant, plugs, dissy rotor, windscreen, tyres, radiator, fan, battery, LH headlight...asking questions on a seperate thread on dash lights not working and starting to research heater/climate control blower issue which seems quite common, only blows high speed to demist and no air con cooling.

 

Hi mickvic,

Below are links to photos of the compressor I made up after a pattern by a friend on the Jag-Lovers forum, which also sounds a lot like the ones described by you and Jagfix38. I'm also including photos showing the bushing and engine mount replacement in case they're helpful, as well as the front wheel bearing replacement in case you decide to do those too (it will never be easier):

Welcome to Jag-lovers - Members Photo Viewing Page
Welcome to Jag-lovers - Members Photo Viewing Page
Welcome to Jag-lovers - Members Photo Viewing Page
Welcome to Jag-lovers - Members Photo Viewing Page
Welcome to Jag-lovers - Members Photo Viewing Page
Welcome to Jag-lovers - Members Photo Viewing Page
Welcome to Jag-lovers - Members Photo Viewing Page
Welcome to Jag-lovers - Members Photo Viewing Page
Welcome to Jag-lovers - Members Photo Viewing Page
Welcome to Jag-lovers - Members Photo Viewing Page
Welcome to Jag-lovers - Members Photo Viewing Page

Cheers,

Don