[xj-s] Overheating, please help

XJ-S
1

This pertains to the 89 XJ-S (W=White), 5.31 Lucas

After a trip to Tampa, FL from NY (smooth trip) I took the
auto in for some maintenance. While there one of the person
working there took it upon himself to wash the engine (very
clean now, not a spot of grime and or grease). First he
applied degreaser then preassure wash it (No it was not
me!). After this they proceeded to air dry it (using air
hoses), then just let it sit under heavy lamps.

When I went to start the auto; it caught a bit, chooked a
bit, and it sounded as it wanted to turn off (never done
this), but after a while it ran ok. For a few minutes white
smoke came from the tail pipes. I was told that this was
ok, the engines was just getting rid of moisture. For a
while the auto made a (pop, pop, pop) out of the LH tail
pipe. This was fixed (today) by re-connecting two Fuel
Injectors wires that had come loose. Ran the auto, for a
while and everything seem to be ok.

Took the auto for a short trip, and about 10 minitues into
the trip, I noticed that the ‘‘Coolant Temperature Gauge’’ had
gone to the ‘‘H’’ position. Parked auto, and let it cool
down. Heading back to the house had to make about three (3)
stops, to let auto cool down.

In addition I noticed that the ‘‘Electric Raditor Fan’’ is not
comming on, when that ‘‘Temp Gauge’’ gets close to the ‘‘N’’
position. It does not come on after it passes it.
Determined this after bringing auto back, and let it run on
drive way.

1 - The auto has no coolant leaks, has plenty of coolant,
The Stat’s seem to be working fine.

2 - I have checked the ‘‘Coolant Temperature Gauge Sender’’
and it seem to be working fine.

3 - I have checked the ‘‘Electric Radiator Fan Relay’’ and
that seems to be fine. At least I beleive I got the right
relay. It was not a Lucas relay, but a Hella relay. The
‘‘Book’’ part # 4RD 003 520-13, but mines says 4RA 003 510-33.
This came from a Red Socket on the LH engine compartment.
The only other Red Socket I can find is under dash in the RH
side.

4 - Connected the fan, (temp connection) and is working.

Right now I’m at a lost as what to do next.

Should I dismantel the entire engine coolant system?

Any and all assistance would be greatly appreciated…

Thank you,

J.R.–
1989 XJ-S (W), 5.31 Lucas 1989 XJ-S ® Converting
new orleans, la / for now / ny, United States
–Posted using Jag-lovers JagFORUM [forums.jag-lovers.org]–

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2

It seems like they pulled all the connectors loose to dry them out and
did
not push them in all the way. Check all the injector connectors and the
temperature sensor connectors.

Ed Sowell
76 XJ-S

jasyn wrote:

This pertains to the 89 XJ-S (W=White), 5.31 Lucas

After a trip to Tampa, FL from NY (smooth trip) I took the
auto in for some maintenance. While there one of the person
working there took it upon himself to wash the engine (very
clean now, not a spot of grime and or grease). First he
applied degreaser then preassure wash it (No it was not
me!). After this they proceeded to air dry it (using air
hoses), then just let it sit under heavy lamps.

When I went to start the auto; it caught a bit, chooked a
bit, and it sounded as it wanted to turn off (never done
this), but after a while it ran ok. For a few minutes white
smoke came from the tail pipes. I was told that this was
ok, the engines was just getting rid of moisture. For a
while the auto made a (pop, pop, pop) out of the LH tail
pipe. This was fixed (today) by re-connecting two Fuel
Injectors wires that had come loose. Ran the auto, for a
while and everything seem to be ok.

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3

In reply to a message from Edward F. Sowell sent Fri 8 Nov 2002:

Have checked all injector connector (found two(2) loose) and
temperature sensor connector (properly pluged in)

J.R.–
1989 XJ-S (W), 5.31 Lucas 1989 XJ-S ® Converting
new orleans, la / for now / ny, United States
–Posted using Jag-lovers JagFORUM [forums.jag-lovers.org]–

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4

In reply to a message from jasyn sent Fri 8 Nov 2002:

Update…

Turn auto on this morning and the ‘‘Coolant Temperature
Gauge’’ shot between the ‘‘N’’ and ‘‘H’’ position. The auto has
been seating all night.

Could the ‘‘Temperature Gauge Sender’’ be bad?

Thank you,

J.R.–
1989 XJ-S (W), 5.31 Lucas / 1989 XJ-S ® Converting
new orleans, la / for now / ny, United States
–Posted using Jag-lovers JagFORUM [forums.jag-lovers.org]–

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5

In reply to a message from jasyn sent Fri 8 Nov 2002:

Hiall
Its not a good idea to wash off these big twelve cylinder engines
as there is too many sensors and relays. To test the temp sender
remove the temp sender wire,turn on the ignition,have someone
ground the wire,watch the dash guage, if it moves all the way to
hot the dash guage is ok.Replace the engine temp sender if all
above is ok–
The original message included these comments:

Could the ‘‘Temperature Gauge Sender’’ be bad?

–
G Smith
Los Alamos CA, United States
–Posted using Jag-lovers JagFORUM [forums.jag-lovers.org]–

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6

(snip)
Turn auto on this morning and the ‘‘Coolant Temperature
Gauge’’ shot between the ‘‘N’’ and ‘‘H’’ position. The auto has
been seating all night. Could the ‘‘Temperature Gauge Sender’’ be bad?
(snip)

A very low resistance to ground will give you a reading close to the “H”.
A very high resistance to ground will give you a reading close to the “C”.
Since the engine is known to not be warm yet, but you have a very warm
reading, then I would suggest looking at the wiring to the Coolant
Temperature SenDER. which is the unit located on the “A” bank (right hand
side of the engine, when looking forward). Check to see if any part of the
wire has deteriated, thereby allowing the wire conductor to possibly touch
a ground source. The ground source path may well be an indirect path, such
as through another component, which would explain the result of a low
resistance being present (but not low enough to bring the gauge needle all
the way to the limit of the “H” position). Once you have verified that
there is no external ground path affecting the circuit, then you can test
the SenDER. The results of the test would let you know if the Coolant
Temperature SenDER needed replacement. To test the SenDER, disconnect the
lead at the SenDER, and using an ohm meter, measure the resistance between
the lead connector, on the SenDER, and the body of the SenDER (which is the
ground connection for the SenDER). As my service manual only provides
information up to 1988-1/2, I would not have the resistance readings for
the Coolant Temperature SenDER for the 1989 model (should the reading
limits be different). Someone else on the list, hopefully, may well have
this information available.

Tex Terry, II
86 XJ-S Coupe V12 GM400 DANA 2.88
Franklin, PA USA

// please trim quoted text to context onlyFrom: jasyn j_rom10@hotmail.com

7

Yes, but in view of the events preceding the problem it’s more likely
just
the connection. The sender is on the right side of the engine, behind
the right thermostat housing. Take it off and look at it carefully.
Cleaning agent
residue may be the problem.

As I recall, you can also test the gauge and sender without too much
difficulty.
You measure the resistance of between sender contact and ground, but
I do not remember what it should be at particular temperatures. May be
in the ROM.
Also, if you know that resistance you can emulate the sender by putting
a resistance
(get a pot from Radio Shack) between the wire and ground and then look
at what
the gauge reads.

Ed Sowell
76 XJ-S

jasyn wrote:

In reply to a message from jasyn sent Fri 8 Nov 2002:

Update…

Turn auto on this morning and the ‘‘Coolant Temperature
Gauge’’ shot between the ‘‘N’’ and ‘‘H’’ position. The auto has
been seating all night.

Could the ‘‘Temperature Gauge Sender’’ be bad?

// please trim quoted text to context only

8

And, after cleaning and drying the terminals in the connector and sender
with an electric component cleaning spray and some “canned air”, lay on a
little dielectric grease to maintain good contact and protect those
terminals from future problems due to moisture and contamination.

Gary
94 4.0L Convertible
San Jose, CA----- Original Message -----

Yes, but in view of the events preceding the problem it’s more likely
just
the connection. The sender is on the right side of the engine, behind
the right thermostat housing. Take it off and look at it carefully.
Cleaning agent
residue may be the problem.

// please trim quoted text to context only

9

In reply to a message from jasyn sent Fri 8 Nov 2002:

Update - 2

First of all I would like to thank you all, for all the
advice I received in regards to this matter (the attorney in
me kicking in).

As per G Smith, I conducted the test he suggested and the
‘‘Dash Gauge’’ is in good working order.

As per Ed and Gary’s advice, I removed the Sender and
cleaned it, it seem to improve the readings at the Dash
Gauge, but none the less it would still pass the ‘‘N’’ just a
bit. Lately I have been accustomed to seeing this needle
bellow the ‘‘N’’.

As per ‘‘Tex’’ suggestion, ‘‘check for grounding on the wire’’,
and to the best of my knowledge, did not find any. It was
hard to trace, but I think I managed rather well.

In the end decided to purchase a new Sender (per ‘‘Book’’ DAC
2583). This is a special order part for a regular Auto
Parts Stores. Bud did fine one at a local Jag repair shop
in Clearwater, FL. Mfg. Intermotor # GTR108, Cost $ 19.00.
and approx 45 min. of driving (each way).

Should be able to install new Sender in the morning, and
will update on the end result.

Again, thank you all…

J.R.–
1989 XJ-S (W), 5.31 Lucas / 1989 XJ-S ® Converting
new orleans, la / for now / ny, United States
–Posted using Jag-lovers JagFORUM [forums.jag-lovers.org]–

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10

In reply to a message from jasyn sent Sat 9 Nov 2002:

Update - 3

New Sender in place, and the ‘‘Dash Gauge’’ is reading as it
was previously.

Now to continue on my trip, running three (3) days behind.

Engine and Trans out of Second auto a new lump in the making.

Thank you all,

J.R.–
1989 XJ-S (W), 5.31 Lucas / 1989 XJ-S ® Converting
new orleans, la / for now / ny, United States
–Posted using Jag-lovers JagFORUM [forums.jag-lovers.org]–

// please trim quoted text to context only