Hello all, I’ve a question about the aav on my 5.3. It’s playing up and before spending I am going to follow grants advice and give it a bit of a service. I’m intending to push the bulb out using a vice and strip it that way. Question is will this do any damage to the bulb does anyone know? Also does anyone know of suppliers of new bulbs? I know a full kit is available on eBay but being from Yorkshire I’d prefer to take the cheapest option first! Thanks for your help.

 

If it were me I wouldn't push the bulb out less I had a good ol reason... I would take the top off (maybe) and clean er up OR (better I think) maybe just drop the whole thing in a bucket of warm solvent, clean it out real good, then give er the ol heat test...

 

Thanks for the reply. I thought pushing it out looked easiest of the two methods that’s why I wanted to go that way. Plan was to clean things up and give it a try before buying a rebuild kit. Do you think pushing it out can damage the bulb then? Thanks

 

Hi Brinny

When I Started '50 Shades' My Grey XJS I had a bit of the AAV Hunting Problem but having been there and done it before, I carefully removed the Rubber Elbow and then gave it a really good Squirt of WD which instantly solved the problem, as once its back in action its never gone wrong after that, so give that a try before you try anything else

 

Thanks ob. I can’t seem to find a definitive answer if any damage occurs to the bulb when pushing it out. Really want to give it a proper clean out in there.

 

Waaaaay back, the 1st one I did, I pushed the bulb out, using a small bench press, lots of care, and liquid courage, and SCREWED it.

Then the 2nd hand unit I stole to replace it, got the "cut", and the rest is very distant history.

AND

I have NEVER had a bulb not work, so I have NEVER messed with them. OK, some people claim they dont work, so maybe where you get real cold weather, and the Cat sits outside, there be a problem.

Some I have done are a tad lazy, or "slow to move", but they all work, and car has no bloody idea.

 

Hmm. I've never done it but did imagine, looking at the rebuild kit, that in order to do the rebuild (new bulb at the base) one would have to push the bulb/base out. But,,, I think the only way to do that would be to take the top of the AAV anyways, unless I'm missing something....?

On mine, when I first started working on my car, it was hunting bad and the AAV was completely frozen. I had no idea what I was doing. I did a LITTLE reading (a complete novice) and I ended up using a tool to crush the bulb - hoping to get a bit more travel out of the piston. I don't think that was necessary, and after cleaning it the Grant way, and resealing, it worked and has since.

Recently I acquired a second AAV for cheap money and opened it planning to either install or have it on the shelf as spare... I cut it open to clean. This time I got a much better sense of just how much pressure/tension the top of the AAV holds in place once hot with the fairly large spring. With that understanding, this time, I used a very small set screw with a very small hole run thru the thickest part of the top hat rim into the top hat piece,,, then gooped it up (neatly) with quick dry JBWeld.

Did the same set screw thing with the one on the car just recently just in case.... I don't even KNOW (or want to) what would happen if somehow and for some reason the pressure of the spring PUSHED the top hat off the AAV while the engine was running,,, lol. That might be an adventure behind the wheel?

Anyways, that's my story, and I'm sticking to it.

 

Hi Brinny

Why bother, as there is really nothing to Clean that some WD with the Vacuum won't shift and I've even had a Stuck AAV Start Working again after driving for just a few miles

As Grant says the Bulb can get 'Lazy' (especially in this Cold Weather) and I've never known a good o'l Squirt of WD not to put it right, as if you damage that Bulb then it is going to Cost you Megabucks to fix it

 

You can get one of these and rebuild it yourself. I've done it. The seller is well respected on the Jag-lovers forum.
https://www.ebay.com/itm/Jaguar-V12-...-175127-2357-0

 

Yeah, Man... I been seeing this, been in the fence, and I hate to say,,, and I respect the dude and what he's doing BUT,,,, I just don't like the price. I guess I wait til mine completely craps out...

I've had lots of debates (especially on the rennlist site) about our cars and costs and what-not, but yeah,,, I just don't like the price.

 

It's a lot cheaper than a new AAV. And, he might not be around forever. Everything I've gotten from him has been high quality. His prices seem reasonable, considering what his market size is, and his set up and tooling costs that he has to amortize.
My AAV was frozen. I got it freed up with some some penetrating oil and judicious prying. But it was "lazy", and wouldn't completely shut off. New parts fixed it up.

 

I pulled mine apart when I first got the car and cleaned and rebuilt as per Grants instructions. Mine would run at around 1500 rpm when started from cold (didn’t like that) so reassembled and pushed the top in a bit again as per Grants instructions. Now works a treat. Starting from cold 900 rpm quickly settling to 750 rpm as the engine warms up. Didn’t renew anything just rebuilt.
Rob.

 

Yes, you'll damage the bulb trying to push it out, or at least I did. Years ago there was a rebuild kit from Australia, but they don't make them any more.

 

think I’ll have a go at that then.

 

thanks.

 

I know it’s been a while but when you say you pushed the top in a bit can you be a bit more specific Robbo. Did you do it after installation on the car or before and if so how much? A photo would be nice if you get a minute. Thanks in advance for any help