A few weeks ago I moved my E-Type Jag (4.2) (which has had a recent history of baffling starting problems) after it had been laid up for several months to our new house and garage. It just about made it having ground to a halt on the short journey several times. After a further delay of a few weeks I have now investigated the problem. I initially suspected a fuel problem and checked out the fuel pump but that seemed to be working. I then removed the float chamber cover to the first SU carb only to find it full of a strange white slimy gunge/paste which I had never seen before. I subsequently removed the air filter and air intake assembly so I could see the carbs better and found that the first and third carbs had become completely gunked up with this stuff. In the first carb was completely blocked with this white goo.
My initial conclusion was that this was caused by old petrol having deteriorated in the fuel tank and gradually choked up the carbs. But the problem is so severe that I don't think this likely. I am currently removing the inlet manifold and the signs are that the deposits are in there too (certainly in the theromstat housing).
However, my suspicions have now turned to the braking system(!) since I have discovered that the vacuum chamber (an extension in Jaguars to the servo mechanism which provides a back-up supply of vacuum to the braking system) is half full of what looks a lot like very old brake fluid and I suspect that a seal on the servo has deteriorated allowing brake fluid to be drawn into the vacuum chamber and perhaps also the inlet manifold and back to the carbs. Perhaps this would account for the build up of white gunge.
I would be interested to hear of anybody experiencing a similar problem with a Jag or other car who might have some ideas. Would brake fluid getting into the inlet manifold cause this or is this a fuel problem? I certainly have no recollection of the car belching white smoke which I would have expected.
Anyway, what is the white stuff?
Thanks,
GBH