Please - how do you clear the sludge, of mixed antifreeze types, out of the radiator and heater matrix ?

[stuart]

7 minutes ago, Bfg said:

Thanks Stuart, that's worrying.   I'd not heard of such issues befalling the Series 1.  Surely though that must have been a very tiny percentage ..and those which were prone to fail would have done so long before now ? 

Quite probably, nether the less it did happen. mind we did subject those cars to some harsh treatment back in the day, we always removed them from race cars due to failures.

Stuart.

[Bfg]

3 hours ago, BlueTR3A-5EKT said:

Agree with Stuart.  A common failure is seized,  I’ve never seen one sheer though.   TR7 Spitfire and other later Triumphs had viscous coupled cooling fans,.  The other common failure of the coupling was spinning free, identified by the fan not speeding up when the engine is revved. (Your newspaper test) 

I listen to Stuart and your valuable warnings. Thank you both.  Of course a seized coupling isn't a problem, it just takes me back to where I'm starting from ..a fixed blade fan. 

In truth, I don't trust this car's existing fan.  It's long flat blades are very flexible and I fear work hardening, fatigue and failure at the blade's root.  Worse case scenario is to use the XJ6 fan without the coupling ..by making up an centre adapter.   I've seen the new viscous coupling you suggested, advertised via ebay at £56, but I'm very wary of after-market components (Chinese made where they don't even declare their own brand) that appear to fit everything.  I'd choose good used Triumph and Jaguar parts which have survived this long.   

If after carefully inspected and fitting this XJ6 fan, I'm not comfortable with / willing to trust it., then I'll buy an original plastic fan off a BMW e39 which is 16" dia. and make up a fixed centre for that.   Such a fan would be lightweight, profiled, and I think safer.

Pete

 

Edited April 21 by Bfg

[Bfg]

Stop Press . . .

The XJ6 Series-1 fan coupling has a different PCD to the XK150 water pump / fan, in fact it's a much closer fit (although still not compatible) without the viscous coupling.  I'll not spend my time trying to alter those at this conjuncture, I'll simply put the original fan onto the new water pump and get on with the many other tasks.  Thankfully they do match up.  I'm just having a coffee and then I'll take the old pump off the engine block ...and hope the new one fits straight on. 

  

 

[Bfg]

I think the original question of ;  how do you clear the sludge, of mixed antifreeze types, out of the radiator and heater matrix ?  has come to a impasse, and I'll continue with posting about Carmen's Work in Progress within that topic.  

It has been suggested via another forum member . . .  

2 hours ago, jim89 said:

There is alas a third possibility - that it  (the Fernox F8) is not doing anything much... 😬

to which I replied. . . Certainly it's a slow process, but the discolouring of both the water in the sample dishes and that within the engine suggests it is doing something.  I think we need to remember that the Fernox is intended to clean out central heating systems which are getting clogged up with mineral deposits (like car radiator cleaners do).  Had my car's cooling system been so blocked.. then I guess we would have seen more crud come out.   

Regarding the Fernox breaking down the gel like particles (the result of mixing incompatible types of antifreeze), and/or the white crystalline bits of whatever.. then I think your right ; it's not aggressive enough.  Still if it worked just a little, helping loosen those bit from the inside surfaces of the radiator & heater matrixes and the block, and holding them in suspension so they are more easily flushed - then its been worthwhile.   

I'm reminded of Victorian ladies who (reportedly) sprinkled rice across their floors, so that the maid would have to thoroughly clean the rugs and into all the corners to get rid of it all.  In the same way, trying a mild chemical and then repeatedly flushing and back-flushing has cleaned out this cooling system.!    

What will break those gel-like particles down ..without compromising the soft metals .. I don't know.

p.