The fan in the motor doesn't shut down for quite sometime after I shut the car off . And air conditioner won't run cold

 

The water pumps on these early models are known to fail (especially after so many years). Coolant can also cause problems if different types have been mixed. Do not let the car overheat as this will cause more serious problems, and don't trust the temperature gauge. These are just general observations. The A/C is probably just low on refrigerant.

 

My 97 fan would run for about 15 sec. after shutdown,so that is acceptable. But you need to know the actual engine temp. As Jim says, the gauge is not accurate and holds mid scale way beyond acceptable temp. You need to get a scanner that will read real time data, through the OBD plug. It could be a ELM 327 that reads on a smart phone or an inexpensive reader that has it's own screen. Here's a link to some that members have approved:
OBDII Code Scanners ** Member Approved ** - Jaguar Forums - Jaguar Enthusiasts Forum

 

Thankyou for info. I did order one yesterday. Its not on the bad list you guys have so hopefully it makes the good list.

 

If the temp goes much over 205 F while driving look for problems like bad thermostat or water pump. Please let us know what you observe.

 

Gail,

You may have 2 unrelated problems.

It's normal for my X100 Jag to continue running the engine fans after I turn the key off. I'm in the Middle East in an extremely hot desert climate here, so everything is hot all the time. FWIW The cooling fans stay on until the engine drops to a certain temperature. But if you notice the fans "running on" all the time, or a long time, you may have a problem. Overheating our AJ-V8 is an engine killer so I would keep an eye on it as it's an expensive problem to fix.

A coolant level check is always worth doing - 2 min DIY job - plus if you don't know when the coolant fluid was last serviced, it's worth doing as most car fluids have an expiry date and also collect rubbish which inhibits performance. FYI Coolants have lubricanting/anti corrosive properties that deteriorate with age.

If you have the AC on, both engine fans should be running. Easy to see the 2 fans to check so you should look under the bonnet. AC not cooling "problems" could be a simple refrigerant refill that any competent garage can do (I would also ask them to change the AC dryer too if you don't have any service history), but with the age of our cars, it AC problems could be because of a bad compressor (which is an expensive part) and/or the condenser (rusted/damaged) that is causing the refrigerant leak. Either way you'll be taking the car to a recommended garage to get it looked at. Not many home DIY mechanics have the ability to fix AC systems.

 

Hi Gail; I have a '99. When I did the timing chains and tensioners I changed the water pump, thermostat and hoses to one with a metal impeller. That was 30,000 mi ago. So far so good. Another thing I do because they generate so much heat is open the hood when I park it in the garage to help disperse the heat more quickly. But that's just me.
Jimmy L is correct about the coolant. This is the perfect time to get the system checked and new coolant. Also have them check the hoses.
Take the car to get the AC checked for leaks and new refrigerant.
I love this car but they do need constant checking and upkeep. What is the mileage on your car? How long have you had it?
I have done a lot of work myself and know this year pretty well.
Any help I can give let me know
Mitch

 

It has about 65000 on it. I've only owned it less then a year. I haven't drove it much though. I live on a horse ranch so we mostly use a truck here. Is the fan in the front of the motor supposed to run always. I used to help my ex work on old cars 60s 70s. Those fans ran continuously. But some newer cars had electric fans that turn off and on. I know nothing about jags but would like to learn something's. I love this car and I hope it doesn't nickel and dime me to death. It starts right up runs smooth as can be drive off and no problems say for five miles then the fan comes on and when I shut the car off the fan stays on for two or three minutes. I don't see any leaks the fluid level looks good in the resivoir. But the air conditioner doesn't blow cool. Plus there is no code of any sort coming up on the dash. I don't understand . I really don't want to take it into a shop until I have some idea what's going on with it, you know if I go in there and say fix it, it will cost me a whole lot more then it should. I did order a gauge for telling temperature and whatever else. Thanks for replying to my problem I hope you may have an answer or a good guess to help out .

 

Jim, heads up: the ac is intentionally disabled when the vehicle approaches overheating.

You've likely got the factory idiot guage for temp display, little useful info from that. The factory software makes it a stepped indicator: cold warm overheating. Do a search on Realguage.

The earlier cars, mine included, came with water pumps that often disintegrate. Does your ac work at all? If yes, while engine is cool - really points to the pump. When mine had failed, I remember sitting in the mechanics parking lot showing him that the temp dropped when I rev'd
Her up. At idle temp crept toward overheating, ac shut off. I'd rev the engine-what was left of the pump blades moved enough coolant to drop the temp!

At the time I didn't know the defective pump was a known / common issue for 1996 & 1998.

You can plug an OBDII in and view coolant temperature.

John

 

Gail,

You sounds like you’re on the right track. The coolant temperature is important so the gauge you ordered will help. The coolant level you said is fine. It’s worth checking regularly.

The engine fans “running on” after the key is off, for just a few minutes is fine, and normal. Engine temp is what turns it on/off so it’s nothing to worry about.

The AC may be an unrelated problem.

I would take the car to a garage to “gas up” the AC as freon is relatively inexpensive. The garage can check if the system holds pressure. If “gassing up” doesn’t help you may have an AC compressor problem. If AC blows cold for a short while but then stops working, you’ve probably got a small gas leak.

 

Thankyou all for the help I will get it in the for service asap. I just wanted to know alittle about what's going on before I take it in. I don't want my wallet emptied for low freon. Thanks again to all

 

Hi; The fan sounds like it's doing it's job. You won't know what you've got until you get a base line for the different systems. This is what I did when I got mine. It had 75,000 on it. I started at the front and worked my way to the back. Cooling system: system flush/new coolant. AC system: flush new refrigerant, check for leaks. Oil change with Jag filter: Mobil One 10w-40. I use this weight oil because the car was using a little oil with the 5W-40. This cured it. Transmission: fluid and filter change. Differential: change fluid. I didn't give this much thought until I read that old diff fluid can impact trans shifting. This was true. The old fluid was jet black and stunk of sulfur for week in my garage. To my amazement the trans does shift a lot smoother. I record the mileage and date of each service. NOW you have a base line. These cars will 5 and 10 dollar you to death if not maintained. Remember they are going on 22yrs old.
When you order the cooling gauge order a oil pressure gauge. You can buy the plastic tools on ebay to remove the dash trim.
Do you know if the timing chains, guides and tensioners has been changed. Very important for our cars with that many miles.
Let me know how you make out. I hope this helped.
If you want to use my email directly it's "rsdmitch46@outlook.com"
Mitch