My '99 Vanden Plas has been sitting for about a year without being driven. Trickle charge on battery to keep fresh. When I tried to start it yesterday, it would not fire after many tries over several hours. It will start readily with starting fluid sprayed into air cleaner box and closed, but of course will run for just a few seconds. I'm guessing that its the fuel pump on these symptoms alone. Exactly what is involved in replacing the fuel pump and what is the estimated time requirement,? Any special tool required?

 

basic quick connect release tools and something to push on it. if they don’t give, unhook the filter line clips remove the flarenut from the filter and skull drag that thing out


or my favorite which is just cutting an access hole 👍

 

If the fuel pump has never been replaced, then that might well be the root issue. I have seen some members
having success after long periods of disuse with cleaning electrical connectors, relay pins and/or applying 12
volts directly to the pump. In your case, if the pump has never been replaced, I would start there.

 

Might try changing the fuel filter, first. Also determine if you are getting fuel from the fuel rails. You clearly have spark and compression: fuel looks like culprit.

 

Bridge the bigger terminals on the fuel pump relay in the boot, whilst the ignition is on, you'll hear the pump run if it's working,

Much easier to start there & maybe find a dead relay than pull the tank out as the first step.

 

Having said that, I believe the book time for pump replacement is 6hrs as that's what I think i was charged to do both of mine on my XJR. My secondary pump was dead so after 20 years (at the time) it made sense to get both swapped with genuine replacements.

I really should have asked them for the working pump back, I'd have slung it in the garage in case of future need but didn't think of it for about 6 months so that was way too late.

 

Xalty...I am curious where you cut the access hole and what it looked like after you finished.

 

I remove the back seats and cut a hole about 6"w x 6"h just above the body seam. Use an angle grinder or a jig saw with a short blade to cut the hole. Once the panel is removed, you can get a plastic fuel line connector tool in there and pop out the two lines. (I use a very long pair of needle nose pliers to manage the fuel line removal.) Once the pump is replaced and you connect the lines, find some clips to hold the panel in place or use clips and screws. Then patch up the hole with aluminum tape. I've done this on three cars and it's far easier than dropping the rear end. I have no pictures as I've not done this in the past 5-6 years.
Not responsible if you cut a hole in the tank or a fuel line! Use instructions at your own risk!

 

Jaguar WARRANTY time for X308 fuel pump is 1.8 Hours. (+ diagnostic time + Drive-in-Drive-out = .4 additional)

This for a newish car in New Car Warranty.(4 years/50,000 miles)

Actual time CUSTOMER PAY was WARRANTY TIME, TIMES TIME AND A HALF. (1.8 + .4 = 2.2 X 1.5 = 3.3)
We added some time to drain and refill the tank so add .7? (3.3 + .7 = 4 HOURS)

I charge 4 hours but I have done DOZENS and DOZENS and sometimes I actually BEAT that time by a good margin if EVERYTHING goes right.

There is a 'learning-curve' so some shops want you to pay for inexperience.

Don't know what 'Chilton' or other labor time guides list as a recommended repair time.

 

mitchell is 3 hours. easily doable on a rack

 

IF EVERYTHING GOES RIGHT!!!!!!!!!!!!!

20 year old cars have a way of disrupting the best laid plans!