Getting close:



over the hump:




Z

 

Cool. Rarely seen. :-)
Almost 322000 kilometers.. the double of mine.
Any age related issues?

 

Two that come to mind:

One: The original engine radiator developed a crack last year that no amount of sealing or plastic “welding” would fix. After some hesitation I opted for the only affordable new radiator , the Nissen unit. Thanks to the forum I was aware that the Nissen unit was not an exact reproduction. It does not have the same generous fin count per inch as does the OEM / stock radiator. Posts indicated that XKR owners reported a 10-20 F increase in coolant temperatures immediately after the Nissen radiator installation.


With the (affordable) alternative being a used radiator, I went ahead and purchased the Nissen unit, thinking that if, after using it for a year, if I didn’t like its cooling ability I could always get one of eBay’s many OEM used choices.

I’m now on the fence regarding keeping it, and leaning toward buying one of the used radiators. I haven’t overheated , but still don’t like the car running at 200-210 F in the summer when it used to be at a reliable 185-195 F under the same conditions. In stop and go traffic on hot summer day (100-120 F) the OEM radiator cooled
down to 200-210 F. Now with the Nissen unit I’m at 210-220 F. Once the car gets moving the summer temperature down to the 195-200 F level.

Two: the heater valve quit working. I got a used replacement for $60 on eBay and it not working fine.

Those are the two main items I’ve had to change that could be considered age related.

There are the usual wear items like tires, filters. oil, ATF, rear end lube, brake fluid changes, brake pads , rotors, Antifreeze, supercharger oil, and battery.

I may have left out something inconsequential, but have hit all the high notes I believe.


The previous owner had already changed the problematic cam change tensioners and water pump.


Z

 

That's an accomplishment my friend and kudos for taking pics. When did you buy your XKR and what was the mileage at that time?

 

I bought the car about 7.5 years ago. it had 116,000 miles on it at that time. it's my daily driver, and has been on several cross country trips of 2,000 to 5,000 miles round trip.


a really sweet car, actually the least trouble of any used car I've purchased in the last 50 years.


Z

 

I would not risk a used radiator. Could wind up being a ticking time bomb. I know you do not like your temps running somewhat hotter than usual during the summer months, but at least your Nissen radiator was brand-new....

 

Well Z I have owned my car for 9 years and got it with 62,000 considering I only have 74,000 on the clock now you have me beat by a country mile or three. Although I do believe daily drivers do better longevity wise mile/mile than garage Queens (guilty), I do keep up with maintenance and new projects to tackle all the time so it's always a "work in progress" like pretty much everyone here..I am jealous though that you got to enjoy your car and logged a lot more miles and smiles on the road than I have.

Just think you could have been driving one of these soulless abominations instead of your ride lol.


When people tell me they have a new car I ask them. Did you get a white, black or grey one

 

@zray - congrats on the milestone and many more happy driving miles! I need to catch up - sitting at 194650. Interesting on your Nissens temp issues. I installed a Nissens and the only time I see temps above 208 are when the ambient temps and humidity factor have us over the 100F mark. Normal range is 195-203 with temps coming up to 208 when at a stop

 

I can’t recall who posted re the Nissen’s slightly higher temperatures with the XKR’s, but that’s what I’ve been seeing too. Interestingly, there are also posts that declare with the XK-8 no difference in cooling exists.

one can look at the fins between the radiator’s plates, and see the difference between the OEM radiator and the Nissen. There might be other differences as well, but the fin count is the only one that stands out to me.

I only am overly cautious because of the X-100’s reputation for engine damage from moderate (my word) overheating. I’m determined to drive this car to my own funeral, so making it last has got my Obsessive-Compulsive inclinations at full attention.

in that regard, today was oil and filter change day (Mobil 1 0w-40 and Mahle OC 323 oil filter)
as well as doing a 2.5 quart ATF pan drain and replenish (with Shell 134). When the engine is good and cold I’m going to install 8 fresh spark plugs ( NGK 96457 FR5BHX Ruthenium HX Plugs)

Am trying them after reading their good reviews here on the forum. My NGK Iridium plugs only have about 50,000 miles on them. But the deposits are heavy enough to get my attention.

Z

 

ahh yeah - you have the XKR and remember reading that as well. nice -you got to keep her happy!! I'm needing to do oil change and replace plugs myself - probably this weekend but don't want to see what the wiring harness to the coils looks like! The insulation is flaking off real bad in some areas

 

I knew I wasn't just me or my imagination! The Nissen's really does perform poorly on the XKR. Your experience is the same as mine. I definitely will upgrade to the Radtec all alloy radiator later this year, even if they rape me with import duty.

 

Hey after reading this thread I’m genuinely curious, and mean no disrespect when I ask, but you did notice a difference in temp on the gauge after replacing oem radiator with a Nissan one? I only ask because I have a 97 xk8 and I have the “dummy” gauges, so I went ahead and did the real gauge upgrade for temp and oil pressure. Up until the upgrade, both temp and oil pressure gauges both sat at exactly midway, as designed to do so by manufacturer. After real gauge install, both gauges fluctuate constantly, giving more realistic readings.
but again, did you notice a difference in temp gauge readings after installing Nissan radiator vs oem? What year and model do you have? Again just asking cus I’m curious, thanks!

 

I have a 2002 XKR, as mentioned earlier, I do have a 10-15 degree F increase in coolant temperature since installing the Nissen radiator. A possible project for next summer will be to find an original radiator from a wrecked car that has little mileage. I’m following a few of them on eBay.







I’m using this aftermarket multifunction gauge that can display numerous engine functions. It sits on the very left end of the dash.

it can display coolant temperature, oil temperature, battery voltage, fuel trims, and many other items that are available thru the OBD-II port. I added another gauge for oil pressure. Maybe not the cleanest installation. But I feel better being in the know.










Z

 

Not far behind you in the XJR

 

errrr, I should proofread sometimes, I meant “… it IS working fine…”

that’s a little different

Z