I am considering diving into sorting out a fuel leak which is substantial any time the fuel pump is on.

I have my father's 1967 e-type but sadly have none of his mechanical skills. I am frankly terrified that I'll end up taking a sledge hammer to this car when I inevitably get stuck on something that any with mechanical aptitude would handle easily.

so I'm wondering if anyone who had done this can weigh in on what is required to fix this leak. All three float bowls exhibit the same leak - a steady drip any time the fuel pump is on. Leak appears to be coming from the red gaskets on each float bowl. The leak appeared fairly suddenly after trouble free driving last year - and after the first fill up of the summer season.

It looks as though maybe I can remove the fuel line and banjo connections without having to remove anything else and then replace the gasket on either side of the banjo?

Any advice/youTube videos/phone a friend would be greatly appreciated. Fall back is to flat bed the thing to a class jag specialist over an hour from me in Vermont.

Feeling very inept.

-bill



The leak appears around the banjo connection

 

Hi Bill,
You sound a lot like my Son, but with a little guidance and patience this can be fixed. Don't let it frustrate you. The best mechanics get stumped at times and walk away from a problem only to return later and try again. Just don't beat yourself up over it. No one is good at everything.

What may have happened, is that the gaskets have shrunk up a bit and the banjo fitting may need to be snugged up a bit.

So the first thing I would do is make sure were the leak is coming, the fuel line banjo fitting or the float bowl vent banjo fitting - the banjo fitting with the green tag on top. With the exterior of the float bowls dry have some turn the ignition on and watch for the leaks. With a clean/dry paper towel wipe around the top of the float bowls and vent tube fittings. If they are dry then we have eliminated that possibility.

Then wipe around the fuel line fittings. I would assume for your description the paper towel would be wet.

I would then loosen up the fuel line banjo fitting a 1/4 turn or so and retighten them. This may fix the problem.

If not you will need to replace the 6 gaskets for the banjo fittings. Undo the fuel line from the fuel line manifold. Undue the 3 banjo fittings bolts and remove. There is supposed to be a spring and screen filter in there too. Remove them too. The fuel line can be moved away from the carburetors. Remove the 6 gaskets. Clean/remove any bits of gasket left on the mating surfaces. I would use a small wire brush about an inch or so in length. Don't scratch the mating surfaces with anything sharp, otherwise you may create more problems. The replacement gaskets can be bought from S & G Barrett, Welsh Jaguar, XK Unlimited or possibly a local auto parts or import auto parts store. If you go to a local parts store take the gasket, banjo bolt and fuel line manifold with you to compare/fit up to the new ones. Place one gasket on each of the banjo bolts slide the bolts into the fittings. Install the spring and screen filter if present. Now here comes the tricky part move the fuel line into position and slip the gasket between the banjo fitting and the float bowl. Then push the banjo bolt through and screw the bolt in a turn or two. Do the same to the rest of the fittings. You may want to start with the rear carburetor. After all the gaskets are in and banjo bolts are started then tighten up the banjo bolts.

I hope this is helpful

 

bob:

thank you for the words of encouragement and advice.

On first try tightening up the banjo bolt appeared to stop the leak on the bowl closest to the rear of the car (it was slightly loose) but did nothing to stop the other two bowls from leading.

I loosened up the bolts and re-tightened them but this was to no avail.

The leak appears to be coming from the red washers/gaskets around the banjo bolt.

I'm assuming that I can remove the banjo assembly without doing any disassembly beyond what you describe? If so I think I'll give this a go on Monday when I can get to a car parts supply to see if I can find the correct gasket without needing to mail order anything.

It kills me that my dad must surely have the manual covering all this - but he is unable to remember where he put it. I have a blue three ring notebook with parts and diagrams but this has no instructions beyond schematics.

Thank you again.

-bill

 

Hi Bill,
You probably found the parts manual for the car.
You will probably want to take the air cleaner can and the triangle off to make it easier. Otherwise you should be good to go.

The triangle should have 2 wing nuts (towards the carbs) and the seal to the air cleaner can holding it on and the air cleaner can will have 2 bolts on the side and maybe a nut or bolt inside on the bottom of the can. Look in the parts book to get and idea of there location - should be pg 37.

 

We're here to help you. You made the first step, we'll help with the second......just ask!

 

On second thought, It doesn't look so bad. We've all been here done that fix!