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MOTRS

E-Type

1961-1975 / Coupe / Roadster / 2+2 / United Kingdom

All E-Type problems All workshop issues
Common Engine

Cooling system inadequacy (six-cylinder)

Symptoms

Engine runs hot, especially in traffic or on warm days. Temperature gauge climbs past the middle mark, car starts to smell hot, coolant may boil over.

Cause

The E-Type's cooling system was marginal when new and relied on forward motion pushing air through the radiator. In Australian summer conditions, sitting in traffic is a recipe for overheating. Thermostats fail, water pumps wear, radiators clog with scale, and fans don't move enough air.

Fix

Fit an upgraded aluminium radiator with increased capacity.

Upgrade to an electric fan (or add one in addition to the viscous coupling fan).

Ensure the thermostat is working correctly and coolant is fresh.

Check water pump flow, a worn impeller moves less coolant than you'd think.

These upgrades are well-documented and essential for Australian ownership.

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// More E-Type problems

Other known issues

Common Engine

XK engine oil leaks

Oil weeps from every gasket and seal, cam covers, timing cover, rear main seal, sump gasket. Most E-Types leave marks wherever they park.
Minor Engine

V12 overheating (Series 3)

The same as above, but worse. The V12 generates substantially more heat and the cooling system, despite being larger than the six-cylinder setup, is still barely adequate.
Minor Engine

V12 head gasket failure

Coolant loss with no external leak, white smoke from one bank of exhaust, mayonnaise under the oil filler cap, overheating.
Common Engine

SU carburettor synchronisation issues

Rough idle, flat spots during acceleration, poor fuel economy, backfiring. The car runs badly and smells of petrol.
Common Engine

Timing chain stretch and tensioner wear

Rattling from the front of the engine on startup that may or may not settle when warm. In severe cases, the chain can jump a tooth, causing valve timing issues or valve-to-piston contact.
Minor Bodywork and Rust

Structural floor pan corrosion

Floor pans rot through, usually starting from the inside where moisture sits under the carpet and sound deadening. The car loses rigidity, doors stop closing properly, scuttle shake increases, the windscreen cracks.
View all 24 E-Type problems