E-type cooling

[I4NCE]

I've had my S1 E-type for 13 years now. The other day, for the first time ever, when I got back from taking it for a run it spewed cooling water.

I've been told that the radiator cap is the wrong type, and that it needs a 'long reach' one.

I've had a search on line and while I can see reference to such a thing, I can't seem to find much detail. Does anyone know what type of radiator cap a Series 1 4.2 should have?

Thanks

[Krikkit]

Sure it's got the original radiator? Half the battle isn't knowing what it would've had originally, but what fits with what you have...

Jag spares has a couple of options: http://www.jagsparesinternational.com/prodcat.asp?...

[I4NCE]

I'm pretty sure it's the correct radiator.

I can't find any reference to the 'long reach' cap though. The sites I look at all seem to show the same cap.

[s m]

http://www.jcna.com/42-litre-series-1-e-type-radia...

Might interest you

[I4NCE]

Yes, I saw that, thanks.

I must admit I'm not a big fan of installing a non-standard cap that only vents when the pressure is nearly 50% higher than it should be - unless anyone has experience of it working okay.

[V8 FOU]

Classic Jags always run a 4psi cap. Have you tried measuring the cap and the depth of the radiator neck? Other way is to place a small bit of plasticene or similar on the rubber and see if it gets crushed when you fit it. Could be the cap is just shagged.

You may also want to get the system pressure tested for leaks. A leaky hose or water pump could cause your problem.

[Ozzie Osmond]

Yup, I'd start by buying a new standard rad cap and see what happens.

I don't know much about E-types except that the bonnet line is very low so the top of the rad may be low and there may be air in the system which needs to be bled out. Is the cabin heater working properly?

And as above, water pump is a classic cause of overheating. Also possibly a stuck thermostat although they more usually fail in the open position.

[I4NCE]

Thanks for the advice.

The car wasn't overheating - it just spewed out water once I'd put it into the garage and switched it off. It was running fine until then.

[Ozzie Osmond]

I4NCE said:

Thanks for the advice.

The car wasn't overheating - it just spewed out water once I'd put it into the garage and switched it off. It was running fine until then.

What's happened is that heat remaining in the engine block has boiled the water after you stopped the water pump working (i.e. switched off the car). This possibly suggests the system is not pressurising correctly. The pressure in the system is usually there for the specific purpose of increasing the boiling point of the water and I suspect should normally stop the phenomenon you have encountered. If, as you suggest, there is no leakage at any other time it may well be something as simple as a faulty radiator cap.

Again, I'd begin by fitting a new radiator cap and see what happens. Insofar as you've lost some coolant make sure you top-up with concentrated anti-freeze, not water.

[Stephanie Plum]

Did the coolant leak from the radiator itself or the header tank?

[I4NCE]

I didn't see where it was leaking from, as by the time I got the bonnet open it had stopped. But as there appears to be no leaks now I assume the radiator is fine.

[Stephanie Plum]

Well she'll hold 14 pints so unless you were flooded out my guess is a temp sensor failed, the fans didn't come on and she piddled excess from the header tank. Was the water on the floor near the radiator or nearer the front bulkhead?

[Ozzie Osmond]

Stephanie Plum said:

my guess is a temp sensor failed, the fans didn't come on

That's possible, and easy to check by getting the car hot and leaving it to stand at tickover while waiting for the fans to kick in.

Lots of useful info on this link,
https://xks.com/files/images/2010/12/E-Type-Coolin...