Wife phones me today that her 95 XJS convertible died in her work parking lot. She explained that is started to loose power, the gauges went to zero and then it died. Okay I thought, could be the battery as it's a very old Optima Marine Blue top battery that had been depleted by the inactivity of the car many times over the years; or it could be a very old alternator or voltage regulator that gave up the ghost.

So I came home, took the battery out of my Dodge Ram and some jump leads and drove to her work. I jumped the truck battery to the Jag leads and she fired right up, battery gauge showed in the middle 12+ volts and away we went, with me following along. I was going to take out the battery once home and try to charge, then test her.

We got about 10 kms out of town when I noticed what looked like a fine spray of liquid coming out of the passenger side, but there was a lot of dust at the side of the road and vehicles coming towards me were driving up the same kind of dust. I wasn't sure what it was. At the next intersection my wife turned left, then indicated to pull over. I thought maybe a lead had fallen off and the car was dieing again......I was partially right. The car was overheating and as she turned left the temp gauge went into the red. Once I caught up to her and she told me, I told her to shut it down.

I popped the hood, coolant boiling in the overflow and discovered the engine drive belt was gone. My wife had power steering and no indication the drive belt had failed.

The engine does start; the first time (getting her off the tow truck), she made a little tappety noise that went away quickly. The second time, she started, (to back her into a spot at the garage), she ran smoothly.

What possible damage has occurred and what symptoms should I have the mechanic look for. What should I have done, (replace thermostat, coolant, obviously drive belt). How long can you drive an AJ-16 motor with boiling coolant before things go south?

Jag powersteering gear driven?

Cheers
Tony

 

It will be fine. But you MUST change the flexible hose under the inlet manifold that comes from the water pump.
I once drove an AJ6 about 50 miles, topping it up with about every 6 miles with about 2 gallons (I had no option) and it was 100% OK.

 

Greg is SPOT ON.

Replace ALL the hoses NOW and the pressure cap.

Only damage will be to your wallet for the DINNER you owe your wife.