> My 1970 XJ6 has developed a heating problem. For some time now the heat
> gauge rose up to 75% when the car is driven, but now when I switch off the
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> Thanx in advance!
> Vassie
The radiator has been tested and I believe there is a head gasket leak.
There is no evidence of oil on the dip-stick. Do I have to take the cylinder
head out, or are there any quick fixes. The setup of the radiator without a
main radiator cap is satisfactory according to the repair shop, he says the
modification is fine. As explained, this heating problem has gradually
increased over time.
>> My 1970 XJ6 has developed a heating problem. For some time now the heat
>> gauge rose up to 75% when the car is driven, but now when I switch off
[quoted text clipped - 13 lines]
> usually leak and/or get noisy when they fail), or a stuck thermostat,
> among other possibilities.
John Hudson - 01 May 2005 22:50 GMT
> The radiator has been tested and I believe there is a head gasket leak.
> There is no evidence of oil on the dip-stick. Do I have to take the
> cylinder head out, or are there any quick fixes. The setup of the radiator
> without a main radiator cap is satisfactory according to the repair shop,
> he says the modification is fine. As explained, this heating problem has
> gradually increased over time.
Sounds like there may be a leaking head gasket like you thought. Check
for bubbles in the coolant with the engine running. The gasket fails between
a cylinder, often #2 (second from back) and the water passages, you won't
find water in the oil. This failure causes some coolant to be drawn into the
cylinder on the induction stroke and the cooling system to become over
pressurised as the fuel/air mixture is forced into the water passages during
compression. To test, first remove the radiator cap, take out all the spark
plugs and do a compression test. Coolant will overflow or shoot out of the
radiator filler neck when you get to the faulty cylinder. If you don't have
a compression tester, just try it with one plug fitted, the engine turns
over faster with the plugs out. That's how I found mine was faulty. Let's
know if you have to pull the head off, no quick fixes, just be thankful it's
a SI, makes it less complicated. BTW, the cap on the header tank on the
front of the engine is normally not a pressure cap, but the one on the tank
on the fender is.

Signature
regards,
John Hudson
Brisbane Australia
71 SI XJ6, 85 SIII XJ6
Steve R. - 02 May 2005 01:16 GMT
They can burn through to the water jacket. In that case, there will be no
water in the oil. There is no easy fix. The head must come off. With the
cylinder head off, check for warpage of both head, and cylinder block. The
head is almost always warped when this happens.
Steve R.
> The radiator has been tested and I believe there is a head gasket leak.
> There is no evidence of oil on the dip-stick. Do I have to take the
[quoted text clipped - 20 lines]
>> usually leak and/or get noisy when they fail), or a stuck thermostat,
>> among other possibilities.
Chris Halpin - 02 May 2005 06:17 GMT
Be aware that the head will need to be straightened before the face is
machined. The cam shaft will be under stress otherwise.
Chris
>They can burn through to the water jacket. In that case, there will be no
>water in the oil. There is no easy fix. The head must come off. With the
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>
>