[xj40] Possible Head Gasket Failure - Comments on possible cause?

XJ40
1

In terms of common complaints about XJ40’s, it seems that most are
centered around electrical issues, the door handles, the flaky
hydraulic suspension/brake boost, bushing/swaybar issues and the
rear output bushing…oh yeah, I forgot to mention the rust that
occurs on Jags. It seems to me, having just bought my '89, that
these are the kinds of problems that tend to accumulate if they are
not taken care of as they occur. That would tend to make one think
the cars are ‘‘lemons’’…but, other than the hydraulic and rear end
problems, they are mostly annoying, rather than serious.

BUUUTTTTT…I am worried about one problem…

Apparently, these cars often(?) blow head gaskets at around 100,000
miles…so I hope I don’t get a nasty surprise, since my car shows
107,000.

I do not have the slightest leak at the front right side of the
engine, which is supposed to be a telltale sympton of ‘‘things to
come’’. But I sure would like to hear from anyone about this issue.

Can it happen to anyone or is this a problem that comes with
pushing/stressing the engine, by high-performance or high-speed
operation, that might cause the head to overheat and warp.

…or is this a design defect (not enough space between head/gasket
openings, or not enough head bolts, etc.)???

I have seen comments, somewhere, that the headbolts actually
stretch with age! Is that true? Would it be appropriate to re-
torque the bolts or even replace with new ones before the gasket
blows? I do recall, from my '66 3.8S manual, that retorqueing the
head was standard periodic maintenance…though, ‘‘periodic’’ in this
case was something like every 50-60,000 miles. Of course, my '66
rusted to nothing before I had any problem like this! :frowning:

Comments Please!!!–
olen soifer
Mays Landing, United States
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2

In reply to a message from Olen sent Thu 27 Jul 2006:

I am interested in comments to my question about whether it is
appropriate to retorque the head bolts periodically on XJ40’s?
Would this help prevent the head gasket failure???–
olen soifer
Mays Landing, United States
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3

In reply to a message from Olen sent Thu 27 Jul 2006:

Olen:
It cannot hurt, and if you have the industry, go for it!–
The original message included these comments:

I am interested in comments to my question about whether it is
appropriate to retorque the head bolts periodically on XJ40’s?
Would this help prevent the head gasket failure???

–
Pete 70 XKE (193K) 88 XJ6 (233K) 88 XJ6 (217K) 60 Mini
Severna park, Maryland, United States
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4

In reply to a message from Olen sent Thu 27 Jul 2006:

Hi Olen,
I think -89 are better shape than 90-94. The 90’s (mine)
have a design flaw. The gasket was redesigned, I believe, more
than once.
I bought my poor old '90 Sov with just 100k, 5+ years
ago, and it was leaking a bit then. You will notice rust on the
top of the dipstick, a nice oil leak at the right front of the
engine, around the distributor, (for the 90’s, not sure about other
years), and occasionally, the engine will ‘‘suck’’ antifreeze. Mine
will drive for months or a year and not lose a drop, then it will
consume 2 quarts or so. When the gasket gets bad enough, you will
loose antifreeze into the cylinder, and from the head, outside the
engine. Then… pouf, white smoke. I keep cabfare hidden in the
boot for that day.

Mike
'90 Sov, 130k driven daily.–
The original message included these comments:

Apparently, these cars often(?) blow head gaskets at around 100,000
miles…so I hope I don’t get a nasty surprise, since my car shows
107,000.
I do not have the slightest leak at the front right side of the
engine, which is supposed to be a telltale sympton of ‘‘things to
come’’. But I sure would like to hear from anyone about this issue.

–
Mike London
–Posted using Jag-lovers JagFORUM [forums.jag-lovers.org]–
–Support Jag-lovers - Donate at http://www.jag-lovers.org/donate04.php –

Visit the Jag Lovers homepage at http://www.jag-lovers.org for exciting services and resources including Photo Albums, Event Diary / Calendar, On Line Books and more !