[xj-s] rad hose, fuel pump (ramblings)

[Rory Young <RYoung@HighwayMaster.com>]

Rory from Dallas, here. Hey, saw a cool XJ-S in the ritzy
section of Dallas, this morning. Felt good to see that they
had taken care of it. Looked just like mine, just a different
color.

>...and the cooling system is otherwise in good shape as
>far as I know.  I have noticed a distinct difference in the
>engine temperature between about 95 degrees outside
>temperature and 100.  As you know, it has been about
>100 degrees in Houston most of this summer. 
I live in Dallas; it's hot here, too... I've noticed my '88's temp
steadily creeping above the N for awhile, now. ( stupid hose
leak)

> In most cases, when driving a combination of highway and
>bumper-to-bumper stop-and-go in the hot sun, my temp gauge
>will read right at the top of the N.
Ditto.

> When I park the car, the auxilliary fan will run for a while after
>shutting down the engine.
The previous owner (or their Jag Shop) had disconnected the 
terminals for the fan to run. Why on earth they did this, I don't
know. I re-connected it. Is there any good reason for NOT
running the fan? I cannot think of any.

>This doesn't happen when the temperature falls below about
>95 degrees. 
I, too, have noticed a *DISTINCT* difference in how my temp. 
system runs. Below 95 or so, it's a TOTALLY different car.
Above that temp... actually, in the heat like we're having, it's
running much higher.

However, I found a culprit. The hose that connects the radiator
to the front bottom (actually, center) of the engine blew a huge
hole. Actually, it's been needing to be changed for a little longer
than I care to say! Seems like it had a tiny hole (that made a
hissing noise after the car stopped; but, as I'm gradually becoming
less of an idiot about my kitty's needs and wants, it's more and
more becoming both simple and obvious as to what needs work),
but it's now a river's mouth as of yesterday. Anyway, getting a
new hose today, and all should be back to normal.

One other question. Yeah, my fuel pump does make a "zing" noise
as its running, and it's really not loud and is only audible when the
engine's running, and I open the trunk, and think about it. I don't really
consider it unhealthy: is it? Secondly, I did smell fuel in my trunk, and
have found that its a saturated hose, about  16 inches long, between
two metal hoses, behind the spare. Doesn't seem to be any
discernable leak, just an overall sense of saturation. I'm replacing this,
but that's what I found, if it's worth anything to anyone.

Lastly, in my car, everything under that big ol' hood gets mighty warm.
I'm going through inspecting all of the hoses and cables (was originally
checking cables and wires, but with the hose break yesterday, and
checking everything). Just agreeing with all of you that, yes, it looks
like rubber and plastic can get pretty brittle under there.

Rory,

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