Hi, thanks for your interest and help!

Over the past 3 months my Jag has had a starting problem 2 times. She starts fine, doesn't catch an idle, and immediately cuts off (cuts off smooth as if I turned it off with the key). After 2 failed attempts, she starts fine.

I have noticed this has happened on or the day after I filled up the tank (always with premium)

Just as often as the starting issue happens, "gurgling occurs". Car starts, has somewhat of a hesitant idle, seems as if it wants to cut off but doesn't. When this has happens I rev it up for a few seconds then it idles fine and off I go. (Again the tank has recently been filled when this has happened)

Either issue has happened twice over the course of 3 months. And I drive my car daily.

Other threads I have read suggest replacing the fuel filter, which I have done after it happened the first time.

Notes:
I recently passed my states diagnostic emission test.

Plugs and the likes are all new.

I have noticed each issue happens on a "warm start". I.e. drove about 10 miles, stopped off at the sporting good store for about 20 minutes, came back out and had the starting problem. I.e. Drove about 20 miles stopped at the grocery store for about 30 minutes, came out and had the "gurgling" issue.

Thanks again ladies and gentlemen.

 

The gurgling MAY be the climate control and if it is then it's irrelevant.

Could be a leaky injector, dribbling a bit of fuel in and making hot start awkward.

 

IMO, jagv8 makes good sense. Do you smell fuel odor under the hood? Changed fuel filter? Low fuel pressure due to clogged fuel filter. Eventually pressure rises after shaky start.

 

JagV8, what are your thoughts on why it happens so rarely?

bfsgross, yes I do smell fuel from time to time. And yes the fuel filter is fairly new.

I'm not sure if this is has something to do with the issue or if it is just the way Jags are, but when I do fill up the gauge stays on F for about 20 miles before settling on about a 3rd of a tank and gradually decreasing normally (as I consider it) as any other car. My old Camaro would stay on F forever and drop quickly once it reached half a tank.

 

JPC, as jagv8 suggess, a leaky injector, etc. may be the culprit behind fuel odor and hard start. Many S-Type's including my own have a fuel level sender glitch that requires a new fuel pump (fuel level sending unit and pump are mated to each other). Perhaps jagv8 would know of a gauge re-set procedure?

 

The gauge is most likely a fuel tank float sensor that sticks or is slightly faulty. Painful to replace for something so trivial. The gauge just reports what it's being told so the sensor is the thing to target if it bothers you.

About the only way I know to test injectors is to remove them and send to a specialist firm who test & ultrasonic clean them.

It doesn't have to be the injector(s) but I'm not sure what else.

You might try BG44K fuel treatment in case it helps. Much easier!

 

Some of us use Seafoam to clean the injectors (poured into tank), heads (poured into vaccume line), and crank case (poured into crankcase fill). There's a Youtube video of proper application. It helped on my Ford Explorer and Expedition.

 

Great info. I can handle it as long as it doesn't start doing it more often. I can try one of the additives. I will update on my successes. Thanks again everyone!