CROWEMATE/ready for first Jag

Well, again thanks for the pep talk ref my 80XJ6...I had lots of fluids
changed today, and some filters and got a pretty good report overall on
the car...However, the anti-freeze is "seeping" from a "little plug"
under the starter, and the mechanic is a man I trust, but is not skilled
with that type of thing and can't tell me what the plug is, is for, or
even if anti freeze should be anywhere near the starter.
I would really appreciate any expert comments. PS I Love this car.
Kathy (Crowemate43)

Submitted by jam@ispwest.com on Sun, 04/18/2004 - 12:16

Kathy & Posetha, thanks for your kind words! I'm happy to be of help. Have you visited & joined Jag-Lovers.com? lots of good tips there, like the simple Auxiliary Radiator Fan Modification ('Mod') which makes the aux. fan run when the a/c compressor engages, keeping anti-freeze temperatures down, as opposed to waiting for the aux. fan to come on automatically with the Radiator Thermo-Switch, which can be slow responding, causing overheating. Well you never know, those odometer miles could be original, you can do a Title Search and find out a lot about the car's life and previous owner(s).

Submitted by jam@ispwest.com on Sun, 04/18/2004 - 08:56

Kathy & Posetha, thanks for your kind words! I'm happy to be of help. Have you visited & joined Jag-Lovers.com? lots of good tips there, like the simple Auxiliary Radiator Fan Modification ('Mod') which makes the aux. fan run when the a/c compressor engages, keeping anti-freeze temperatures down, as opposed to waiting for the aux. fan to come on automatically with the Radiator Thermo-Switch, which can be slow responding, causing overheating. Well you never know, those odometer miles could be original, you can do a Title Search
and find out a lot about the car's life and previous owner(s).

Submitted by dilliner@4state.com on Sat, 04/17/2004 - 22:10

CROWEMATE/ready for first Jag

Well, you are MY expert....Posetha (pers plate...means Cat) thanks
you and so do I. We are getting front and rear brake pads Monday and
replacing the anti freeze plug. Your car and this board are lucky to
have you. Oh. more cool news...mechanic believes the 32,000 miles for
three reasons. I will only divulge one. The airfilter was a "mouse
hotel" and full of hay. (I can hope, right?) PS did I mention I love
this car? Thanks again...they do tell you about themselves.
Picture soon! Kathy

Submitted by dilliner@4state.com on Sat, 04/17/2004 - 22:08

CROWEMATE/ready for first Jag

Well, you are MY expert....Posetha (pers plate...means Cat) thanks
you and so do I. We are getting front and rear brake pads Monday and
replacing the anti freeze plug. Your car and this board are lucky to
have you. Oh. more cool news...mechanic believes the 32,000 miles for
three reasons. I will only divulge one. The airfilter was a "mouse
hotel" and full of hay. (I can hope, right?) PS did I mention I love
this car? Thanks again...they do tell you about themselves.
Picture soon! Kathy

Submitted by jam@ispwest.com on Fri, 04/16/2004 - 18:18

CORRECTION: I got under my car today and indeed there is a 5/8" Bolt (plug) below the Starter mounted sideways. It is not a 'freeze plug'. it is a block drain for the anti-freeze. If yours is leaking, then you'll need to replace the copper seal, again any auto parts will have seals in different sizes, probably ten cents.

Submitted by jam@ispwest.com on Thu, 04/15/2004 - 23:17

is the plug mounted sideways on the engine block and permanently? then it's called a 'Freeze Plug' and those would leak anti-freeze;
Those can be found in different sizes at any auto parts store under the brand name "HELP" and others for about a dollar. To remove those,
you need a punch and hammer, you punch a hole on the side of the leaking plug, and use a large screwdriver to carefully pry them out.
To re-install them, you apply sealer to the sides of the plug, (the orange stuff), then you find a socket that fits the inside diameter of the plug,
(about a 1" socket), and slowly hammer the plug back on the hole, using the socket to convince it, making sure it goes on straight. Anti-Freeze
will be lost during this surgery, open the radiator tank cap to release pressure before punching the hole.

But If it's a Bolt plug, one that can be removed with a socket or wrench by unscrewing it, then there's no anti-freeze Bolt plugs near the Starter
that I am aware of. The only one would be the Oil Pan Plug, (to drain the engine oil) and there's no anti-freeze there. Another possibility would
be a hose high above on the rear of the engine near the firewall that's leaking and the anti-freeze ends up down by the starter by gravity.

Having said that, there is a new type of freeze-plug that installs by turning it with a ratchet and ¢" socket. I found those at Firestone for $1.00
each. That's probably where the anti-freeze you saw under the transmission came from. If it's the Hose near the firewall at the top rear of the
engine, you'll need a 6mm socket and ratchet to tighten the clamp, and while you're at it, tighten all the other similar clamps, but don't over-
do it. Last, I'm not an expert, but I've worked on my 1984 for 13 years now.