i got a kick out of Google's AI response, when i googled, "replacing thermostat in jaguar mk2 3.4l engine".

To replace the thermostat in a Jaguar MK2 3.4L engine, you can follow these steps:

1. Jack up the lower suspension cross member assembly and draw it forward and out of the car
2. Disconnect the battery and drain the radiator
3. Remove the bonnet, marking the hinges for easier replacement
4. Remove the air cleaner and bracket
5. Remove the dipstick, breather pipe, top and bottom water hoses, and dynamo
6. Remove the two setscrews on each side, two nuts underneath, and four nuts securing the fan cowl
7. Remove the radiator matrix and cowl
8. Disconnect all pipes, wires, leads, and controls to the engine, and the exhaust pipes at the silencer clamp
9. Remove the silencer and tail pipe, leaving the down pipe in position

 

Artificial "Idiot" !
Just so very intelligent !

 

You will find that this is the App garages use to work out how long the job takes and then charge you £150 an hour based on that information to change the thermostat.

 

What most AI does in search engines is regurgitate something someone has written in relation to some of the words provided. The main distinction from a normal Google search is some grouping and prioritisation of the search words. The chance of a response that is stuppid, but sounds intelligent to someone who knows zilch about the subject is very high. Like all Google searching, obtaining a good answer depends a lot on finding the best way to pose the question.

When I was at school, a teacher told us to write an essay on the difference between poetry and prose. Apart from some of the words rhyming, to a mildly aspie kid who understood only maths and physics, this was SFA. I found a few bits in an encyclopedia and rephrased them. The teacher said it was rubbish. Without knowing it, I might have invented the AI search process.

 

Just for a laugh I asked ChatGpt the same question.

Replacing the thermostat in a Jaguar MK2 with a 3.4L engine involves several steps. Here’s a general guide to help you through the process:
### Tools and Materials Needed:
- New thermostat
- Gasket or sealant (if required)
- Socket set
- Torque wrench
- Screwdrivers
- Pliers
- Coolant
- Towels or rags
- Safety glasses and gloves
### Step-by-Step Process:
1. **Prepare the Vehicle:**
- Ensure the vehicle is on a flat surface and the engine is cool. Disconnect the battery to avoid any electrical issues.
2. **Drain the Coolant:**
- Place a container under the radiator and open the drain plug (usually located at the bottom of the radiator) to drain the coolant.
3. **Access the Thermostat:**
- Depending on your version, you may need to remove engine covers or other components to access the thermostat housing. Typically, it is located at the engine end of the top radiator hose.
4. **Remove the Old Thermostat:**
- Disconnect the upper radiator hose from the thermostat housing. You may need to loosen or remove clamps using pliers or screwdrivers.
- Remove the bolts securing the thermostat housing using a socket or wrench.
5. **Install the New Thermostat:**
- Ensure the new thermostat is the correct model for your engine.
- Place the new thermostat into the housing (make sure it’s oriented correctly; the bulb should face the engine).
- Apply a gasket or sealant if required, then reattach the thermostat housing and tighten the bolts to the manufacturer’s specified torque.
6. **Reconnect the Radiator Hose:**
- Reattach the upper radiator hose to the thermostat housing. Ensure that it is secured properly with clamps.
7. **Refill Coolant:**
- Close the drain plug on the radiator and refill the cooling system with the appropriate coolant. Ensure to remove any air pockets by running the engine with the radiator cap off until it reaches operating temperature.
8. **Reconnect the Battery and Start the Engine:**
- Reconnect the battery. Start the engine and check for leaks around the thermostat housing and ensure the temperature gauge is operating normally.
9. **Final Checks:**
- After the engine has cooled, recheck the coolant level and top off if necessary. Dispose of the old coolant responsibly.
### Important Tips:
- Always consult your vehicle’s service manual for specific details, as the process may vary slightly depending on model year.
- If you’re unsure or uncomfortable at any step, it’s advisable to consult a professional mechanic.
This guide should help you successfully replace the thermostat in your Jaguar MK2. Enjoy your classic car!

 

Similarly, has anyone ever noticed the "related threads" thing that pops up at the bottom of a thread here is usually completely unrelated?

For example, the "related thread" that is suggested for this thread is about modifying the supercharger and ECU on an XKR. Not really related at all!

 

That is pretty funny. One is completely wrong and the other is completely generic.

 

So I asked ChatGPT to be more specific:
Certainly! Here's a more **specific guide** for changing the thermostat on a **Jaguar Mk2 3.4**, focusing on the engine layout and quirks specific to this classic car.

### Tools & Materials:
- **New thermostat** (OEM spec, typically opens at 74°C or 82°C depending on climate)
- **Thermostat gasket** (ensure you get the correct type for your housing)
- **Spanner/wrench set** (7/16 inch and 1/2 inch likely needed)
- **Flathead screwdriver**
- **Coolant catch pan**
- **Coolant** (Jaguar recommends a 50/50 mix of antifreeze and distilled water)
- **Gasket scraper**
- **Gasket sealant** (optional)

### Steps:

1. **Prepare the Engine:**
- Make sure the engine is completely cool. Open the bonnet (hood) of the car.

2. **Locate the Thermostat Housing:**
- The thermostat on the Jaguar Mk2 3.4 is located at the front of the engine, at the top of the **cylinder head**, near the **water pump**. You’ll see where the **top radiator hose** connects to the **thermostat housing**.

3. **Drain the Coolant:**
- Place the drain pan under the radiator. On the Mk2, you can open the **drain ****** at the bottom of the radiator to drain about 1-2 liters of coolant to avoid spills when you remove the thermostat housing. **Do not completely drain the system** unless you intend to change the coolant as well.

4. **Remove the Upper Radiator Hose:**
- Use a flathead screwdriver to loosen the hose clip on the upper radiator hose where it connects to the thermostat housing. Gently twist and pull the hose off the housing.

5. **Remove the Thermostat Housing:**
- The **thermostat housing** is held down by two **1/2 inch bolts**. Use a spanner or socket wrench to remove these bolts. The housing can sometimes stick, so lightly tap it with the handle of the wrench to loosen it.
- Carefully lift the thermostat housing away from the engine. You will now see the thermostat sitting in the engine.

6. **Remove the Old Thermostat:**
- Take note of the **orientation** of the old thermostat. It usually has a **small jiggle pin** or **air bleed valve** at the top, which allows trapped air to escape when you refill the system.
- Pull out the old thermostat.

7. **Clean the Thermostat Housing and Surface:**
- Use a **gasket scraper** to clean any old gasket material off the thermostat housing and the cylinder head surface. Be careful not to scratch the metal.
- If the housing is corroded, you might want to clean it up with fine sandpaper or steel wool.

8. **Install the New Thermostat:**
- Place the new thermostat into the engine block, ensuring it is seated properly. The **spring side** should be facing into the engine, and the **jiggle pin** (if present) should be at the top to allow air to escape.

9. **Install the New Gasket:**
- Place the new gasket over the housing flange. You can apply a small amount of **gasket sealant** if desired (Jaguar didn’t always use sealant, but it can help ensure no leaks).

10. **Reattach the Thermostat Housing:**
- Carefully set the thermostat housing back in place and thread the two bolts by hand to ensure they go in straight. Then, tighten them evenly with a wrench, but **don’t overtighten** as this can crack the housing.
- Tighten to around **16–18 lb-ft** (21–24 Nm) if you have a torque wrench, but this is not critical as long as it is snug and leak-free.

11. **Reconnect the Upper Radiator Hose:**
- Refit the radiator hose to the thermostat housing and secure it with the hose clamp.

12. **Refill the Coolant:**
- Top up the radiator with coolant. Be sure to use a 50/50 mix of antifreeze and distilled water, and fill it to the appropriate level.

13. **Start the Engine:**
- Start the engine and let it warm up. Keep an eye on the temperature gauge to ensure the thermostat is working properly. You can check by feeling the upper radiator hose—once the engine reaches operating temperature, the hose should get hot as the thermostat opens.
- Look around the thermostat housing for any leaks while the engine is running.

14. **Top Off Coolant:**
- Once the engine cools down, check the coolant level again and top off if necessary.

By following these specific steps, you should be able to change the thermostat on your **Jaguar Mk2 3.4** with minimal hassle. This car's classic design makes it straightforward, but be cautious with the older materials, as they can be more fragile than modern equivalents.

 

Who pays these people to wright all these somewhat useless algorithms ?
Here's a good one, "how to perform open heart surgery on yourself" ?

 

yes, pretty much my understanding too...

it searches the net for every bit of information that relates to keywords in the question posed and then runs that through a clever program that synthesizes and formats it into a grammatically correct and readable response...and is about as useful as what one would get (though not as grammatically correct) from their average brother-in-law.

i've seen good and bad from it. in this case it's mostly entertaining.

 

i assumed i would remove about three nuts, gently pry off the cover plate so as not to ruin a gasket, replace the thermostat, and thread the nuts back on. and would take about five or ten minutes, but then again, this is the same guy that thought it would take just a few minutes to replace a temp sensor too...and should have, but didn't.

 

AI is very much in an early stage. Sometimes it can be stunningly accurate and then incredibly stupid. I recently asked AI to transcribe a meeting in Dutch and then give me a summary in English. The summary was amazingly accurate including spotting some jokes that were made. The next meeting someone was talking about C Level (CEO, CIO, CFO etc) people and it transcribed it as Sea Level. Its useful but can’t be trusted!