Good Morning Gents,

First. let me apologize for not being able to find this on the forum, but I HAVE searched.

My Jag is a 1995 XJS 4.0L convertible with the AJ16 engine. I have no cooling issues, but just call me ****.

I replaced the radiator (w/ aftermarket aluminum, with a lower petcock), water pump, thermostat, all water hoses, heater hose control valve, fan clutch, alternator and belts. Now I am ready to refill the cooling system.

I cannot find any special technique required to bleed the air from the system on the AJ16. I have the new thermostat positioned with the jiggle pin in the top center position. I plan to:
1. Fill the radiator through the top hose connection
2. Leave the vent/overflow hose loose at the radiator to aid in the air purge.
3. Let it sit overnight
4. Recheck the coolant level before putting on the top radiator hose
5. Fill the expansion tank
6. Run it with the heater controls set at full heat, until the thermostat opens, then shut it off
7. Check and add any necessary coolant and ATF (it's an automatic)
8. Run it twice more with the heater controls set at full heat, until the thermostat opens, then shut it off and recheck the fluid levels
9 Get out and enjoy the wonder of Jaguars

What do you think? Am I wrong or is this a decent plan?

Thanks again for all your advice.

Scott

 

Scott,

Your procedure is more than comprehensive! But you shouldn't even need to do that! The AJ16 system is really quite easy to fill, unlike the V12 system.

You can literally just fill through the expansion tank, start the engine, have the heater turned on to allow coolant through heater matrix, top up the expansion tank as it drops. Check it again in the morning and top up as necessary.

It's that easy on an AJ16!

Cheers

Paul

 

i did my aj6 without any mucking about with bleeding. seems ok.Whats that steam smell?

 

is it the same as the v12?

 

FWIW....

On my XJR with the AJ16 six cylinder no bleeding procedure was required.

The only time I ran into difficulties was when I replace the intercooler pump...but that's not applicable here.

For the AJ16 in an XJS it should be "Fill-n-go" I'd think



Cheers
DD

 

As the water bottle is the highest point of the system (unlike on the V12), the system is supposed to be self-bleeding.

 

I had no trouble with mine either when I flushed the coolant and replaced the thermostat. Was a piece of cake. Just fill it.