When I purchased the car, the fuel needle showed 1/8 th or so, light came on driving home, and I went to fill up. Should hold close to 20 gallons, but it only took about 12 and just wouldn't let me put more in---even moving the nozzle around and using very slow flow rate. Gauge also then was only between 1/2 and 3/4. Is the fuel level sender a common problem or is something else possible? There is one US recall listed for the 2001 XJR back around 2006 in which "Honeywell will replace at no cost the fuel filter" --Haven't called the number to check---might be too late----but that made me wonder if that could be related in any way.

 

that could do it, I had similar symptoms and changed the fuel filter, hey presto, could blast a full tank of fuel in afterwards. Senders are not usually a fault part in my opinion, and it seems that its functioning correctly.

 

Way back in 2003 Jaguar issued a TSB for these faults (TSB 310-10). I replaced alot of senders under warranty back then.

bob gauff

 

nice thread

 

Yes most likely a sender unit if the gauge is reading incorrectly. Very common problem in a couple Jag models. I think I still have at least one new sender unit for an XJ8 on my shelf...I'm not pushing parts though.

 

how the heck does the sender stop you from filling the tank and how does changing the filter rectify the problem?

 

The failure of the sender unit is not related to the filling problem, but is the cause of the gauge not reading correctly. The sender unit essentially is a float operating an arm that terminates with a variable resistor. This rheostat will get flat or dead spots on it that seem to be related to films or deposits left on it over time by the gasoline. When that happens, then crazy readings come from the gauge - tank will be full but only show 3/4, for example.

 

Thanks Steve,
It makes sense, assuming the tank is actually full. I thought I saw another similar thread where someone knew their tank was not full, but still could not fill it. ( could not find it again). I suppose air locks or blocked vent lines to the evap system could cause spit back and premature shut off at the pump nozzle, but you would still think you could get the tank full if you filled slowly. Other than the faulty gauge, it seems an odd problem. It sounds like malles2001xjr perhaps has a full tank and faulty gauge.

 

Thanks all----I figured it would likely be a level sender problem---I cannot open Bob Gauff's pdf with the TSB---but I'll find out from the dealer. I must be too new a member---won't let me access it. Haven't looked at the DVD manual I just got yet, but what JWT just said about blocked vent lines occurred to me, and with the fuel filter recall I saw that made me think there might be something to that. And reading Sean B's thread seemed to confirm that possibility. I'll change the filter----it is probably due anyhow and much cheaper than the level sender (BMW's parts seem cheap in comparison!). Then if the level reading is still messed up, I'll need to get that sender STEVETECH has on the shelf. This is the first forum I have got involved in---thanks people for all the help. There aren't a whole lot of Jag XJR's in the US so a group like yours is really nice to have. I've worked on my BMW's since childhood, but the beast from Coventry is a different breed!

 

Ahh...BMWs with the infamous Vanos system...now you're talkin! I work on these cars too, but I'm sure someone will be offended if we switch to BMWTALK and rightfully so!

Best,

 

My tank takes 20.5 galllons to fill it up.