I installed a new battery and went to start it but it wont fire. I put a few drops of gas in the throttle body and it wants to fire. Fuel was low so I added a couple of gal of gas still nothing. Does the pump need to be primed? Two months ago it was fine. Ran no issues. I just needed to replace the battery. I live is So California and it snowed here once in December. Temp was around 30. The car was out in it. Could that have anything to do with it? How do I know the fuel pump is working? Can I check it as a one person?

1998 XJ8L

 

Hi westway,

I have moved your post from the forum for the X350 to the forum for the X308, which is the Jaguar factory code for your 1998 XJ8L. Here your question will be more visible to knowledgeable owners of similar cars.

Cheers,

Don

 

Find the schrader valve at the rear of the right fuel rail, looks like a tire valve. Stuff a rag under it, turn the key to position 2 and depress the valve. You should get a strong spurt of fuel.

 

It isn't unusual for creatures to seek refuge in a parked car to escape cold weather. Unfortunately mice, rats, squirrels etc. have a fondness for chewing wire insulation.

I would throughly inspect the car for signs of unwanted visitors. Since it ran without trouble before, that is the most likely thing that could change it's running status.

Additionally, you could have a case where corrosion at a junction or connector has created too much resistance in the fuel pump circuit or some other key starting circuit.

To trace your wiring and circuits to locate any faults you might want to download the XJ Electrical Guide:

http://www.jagrepair.com/images/Auto.../jagxj1998.pdf

 

Bore wash perhaps?

 

+1 on the bore wash possibility.

 

The New Fuels go Bad Quickly , I typically take that Shrader valve out put a 5/16 hose on it other end in can and if the pump is running , cycle it a few times to get fresh gas to there , put it back together ,cycle it a couple more times then start , I just bought one that had a bunch of old leaves and trash in the fuel fill area , drain was clogged and water stood in there and got around the filler cap , lots of water in the gas tank , ruined the pump and filter :-)

 

Although I do not want to fight the above as a possible cause, I myself have last year stored my car for several months at a time.
Just unplugged the battery, but always with a full tank.
Never any problem, starting at the first try.
Hope this helps you in eliminating possible causes.

 

Update: I hear the fuel pump prime and an initial click. I stuck a philips screw driver into the shrader valve and just get a dribble with the key on. I also hear a humming noise from the or near the throttle body. Oh and there is about 5 to 6 gal of gas in the tank. But I don't know of there is water on top. In the old days alcohol would remove or dissolve the water on top of the fuel. I think fuel additives have alcohol in them. Still need advice

 

Advice- worth every penny you are paying for it!
Get a fuel test gauge and test the fuel pressure. If good, use the gauge hose to run some fuel into a glass container so you can tell if it has water in it. If good pressure, and no water, then troubleshoot something else besides fuel delivery.

 

+1. Ross knows. A Harbor Freight fuel test kit is not expensive and will do the job. A dribble with the ignition on does not sound right. Don't forget the fuel filter.