Javelin Cooling System Overhaul

[NigelHicks]

Hello folks, I am seeking some advice and tips on overhauling my cooling system before I start.

My Javelin (NXR 292, E3/PE/23293) has been laid up unused for a couple of years and I want to get it back on the road again this year. The last few times I used it, the cooling system used a lot of water (due to leakage rather than overheating or blown head gaskets) and so I topped it up with plain tap water (which is pretty hard here in Milton Keynes). With hindsight, this was probably not a good idea. However, the car has been in my dry garage all the time and I have turned the engine over by hand every few weeks throughout the last two years.

I am expecting to replace hoses and probably the radiator, but I am wondering about the availability/repairability of radiators, pumps and thermostats. Also, what would be the best kind of antifreeze to use in the future (once the leaks are all cured!).

Any advice appreciated!

Nigel Hicks
(long time member of JCC, but inactive until now)

[David Morris]

Hi Nigel,

As antifreeze and all-the-year-round coolant, I use 'Comma Xtreame', the red sort, at 50% concentration. This meets the requirements specified by Mercedes and VW, so is good enough for me. The added water I use is rainwater. This seems to work, although I am not ( I hope! ) about to strip the engine to have a look.

Thermostats seem to be generally available on eBay. Go for the correct bellows type, which I believe are the same as early LandRovers. You may wish to drill the holes in the 'lid' as specified by Jowetts, unless you have the cooling system mod they introduced after production ceased.

I believe S/H radiators can be sourced from JCS and repairers will be only too happy to re-core/repair at a price. John and Danuta Morgan had one done recently, and had to have further work done, as it came back too tall to fit beneath the bonnet. The repairers had increased the height of the 'spout' and this had to be shortened.

Pumps are more problematical, although if you need one, give Alf Heseltine a call, he has them re-conditioned on the shelf.

Hope this helps,

David

All the best,

David

[rob needs]

Alf heseltine told me last year he was packing it in,and only had two pumps to shift.

[Keith Clements]

HI, ELSEWHERE ON LINE IS A PROCEDURE FOR FLUSHING COOLANT SYSTEMS ON ROLLS-ROYCE CARS . IT USES STURGENE (LEVER BROS) WOOL SOFTENER. MAY BE OF INTEREST TO A PREVIOUS ENQUIRER. C.WHITE -MEMBER