Hello folks,

I have a newbie question, I've owned my 1983 XJ6 Series 3 for a week and the water pump decided to throw in the towel on my way home from the previous owner's house...lucky me!!

As this is my first Jag, is replacing the water pump relatively easy for a mechanically minded bloke, (I've done plenty on my Fords)?

I got a quote from a local Jag specialist in Adelaide (Australia) and I nearly had heart failure, so have decided to tackle the job myself. Or is it best to leave it to the experts?

Any advise would be greatly appreciated, particularly as I'd like to prove to the dear Wife that the car is not going to be another saga of unreliability!!

Cheers.

 

As with most things, take your time and be methodical. A relatively simple job to do yourself.

While you are doing the water pump, replacing the stat would be a good idea as well as an engine flush, if you are up to it.

Ensure you get all the air out and she will run cool for years to come.

 

as has been said its not really a hard job, but it is a bit more fiddly because the bonnet opens forwards and makes it awkward to access. being 83 it should have the later plastic fan which is easier to remove. if the bolts for the coupling keep spinning the belt then you can stick a screw driver between one of the studs and the center shaft of the coupling and hold it still. use a bit of gasket sealer to hold the gasket still and make sure it seals. there are A LOT of studs / bolts holding it on. pay attention to what came from where!

the pumps themselves are very expensive as they are a heavy casting and have big bearings and impellers. i rebuilt mine with new seals and bearings for about $40 but you need a press and some knack to get it done. it still may be cheaper to have yours rebuilt.

there is no witch craft involved in these pumps but like everything jaguar it is twice as expensive, 1.5 times the size and has three times more bolts holding it in!

hope this helps a bit.

regards jay

 

There is a "monkey motion" link at the left front that limits the bonnet opening just a tad. I took mine out completely, it is in one of my bits boxes. Only caveats, watch the pads on the bumper and support it with a stick elst a wayward wind causes it to close on you as you struggle with the pump.