Technical

From Phil Endliss

If you think the only job of antifreeze (coolant) is to cool the engine during the summer and prevent freeze-up during the winter, read on. Coolant also plays an important role in preventing corrosion caused by electrolysis. Electrolysis occurs when two dissimilar metals start swapping electrons, causing the metals to corrode. Since an engine has aluminum, copper, cast iron, steel and magnesium alloys, electrolysis will slowly eat away at its innards. 

Coolant has additives to prevent all of that electron swapping. But, as coolant ages, the additives are depleted and can’t do the job anymore. In fact, worn coolant becomes a pretty darn good electrical conductor, accelerating internal electrolysis. The good news is that it’s pretty easy to check the conductivity of your coolant with a digital multimeter that acts as a coolant tester. If the conductivity is high, it’s time for a coolant flush and fill. Here’s a quick way to check…

Hello All

New to Jaguar ownership and new to the Club. Any recommendations for an Independent Jag Mechanic in the general North Bay Area? No problems with the Jag but I like to be prepared. I live in Fairfield so hopefully within 50 miles.

Took delivery of my new F-Type R-Dynamic about a month ago and have put approx. 800 miles on it.

Years ago I was told to break in a new engine by not exceeding 50 mph for the first 500 miles but all I can find in the owner’s manual about “breaking in” is not to exceed 4,500 RPM the first 2,000 miles, and several other mileage limits.

 I’m OK staying within these limits, my question is should I do a first oil change after the first thousand or several thousand miles? Waiting for the Jaguar recommended 16,000 miles seems like a long time!  I thought that the break in produced a lot of small metal particles.

 Thanks

Bill

 P.S.

Looking for local (Bay area) shop to balance the 16" wire wheels on '55 XK 140.

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