What a bummer , that's unthinkable

 

It's a sad state of affairs for sure. Either way you have to sue someone to cover your costs. Either prove there was a defect in the Jaguar fuel system, or prove the gas station was negligent in allowing water to get into their fuel tanks. You might want to do some digging to see if anyone else in your area has had the same problem. As to Jaguar being negligent I have not read here or on any other Jaguar forum of this problem.

 

Well, for what it's worth, I have never suffered from water in the fuel on my cars of the last 25 years, including a Jaguar Mark 2, an XJ6 2.3, a Maxda Xedos, a Rover 75 and now, an XJ6 (X350) 3 litre. I think you have unfortunately filled up at a garage that is somewhat careless how they store their fuel. Its unfortunate, but if you can indentify the last garage, then confront them with what has happened to you, and if necessary, involve trading standards officers if you have them in the US.

 

Correction - a Jaguar XJ6 4.2 litre

 

I'd doubt that Jaguar would be liable and I'd also doubt that rain would be the cause, your best bet would be to pursue the gas station, it would help if you could find others who suffered a similar problem, good luck.

 

Did you talk to your insurance company? I would think this would be covered.

 

Contact your insurance, we have them covered all the time when this happens. At least a few times every year, the gas stations have insurance for this and useally its not just 1 car. You insurance can go after the gas station, juat have the dealer save a sample from the bottom of the gas tank for you. And no the rain wont go in your tank, but or station storage tank lid left off or not sealing properly will, or a cracked leaking underground storage tank

 

I think I would be seriously upset and I would be looking for someone to take responsibility

 

Underground storage tanks in the United States have to be monitored daily. Virtually all storage tanks have some water in the bottom of them. This is usually not a problem since the fuel pickup on the tanks is located 6 to 18" off the bottom of the tank. That is why you should try to avoid getting fuel from a station that is currently receiving a delivery of fuel because this can stir up the water off of the bottom making it possible for the pickup to deliver it to the pumps.

One case comes to mind back in the early 90's where an older store with a poorly drained parking lot had a problem. The seal was not put on properly and the water got high enough in the tank for the fuel pickup to pump water. It was a bad situation where there were 20 cars stalled up the roads in a 1 mile radius from the store. The company did pay for all the cars repairs.

 

see this is the problem, I worked at a gas station back in 76 as a 16 yr old. We pasted(to test for water) every morning. It was to monitor the level of water and fuel. Also the check and change the filters on the pumps. There are many gas station even majors that are only a franchisee. You think they all do the right thing and replace filter on a regular basis, tank seals, have tanks tested and sucked out when an issue....NO, the governtment mandates the minimum requirments, and some people/businesses get away the the MAX they possilbly can. And then there are the honest issues and faults on top of that