I only have a 60ltr tank on my XJ8 3.2 1998 instead of the 81 was this an option or has it been replaced?

 

How did you measure the capacity?
According to my manual, when the needle gets to the bottom of the red, there are still 10 litres left, though I haven't been game enough to check that.

 

The Vehicle Care Handbook gives a total capacity of 81 litres and a refill capacity of 75 litres for both engine sizes:



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The Parts Catalogue lists 5 different part numbers based on VIN but makes no mention of different capacities:



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I wouldn't like to try fitting an alternative (non OE) tank to the X308!

Graham

 

I wait until the light comes on and fill up and the most I can get in is 61ltrs. The 'fuel used' is with in 3ltrs and the 'range' is only '560klms. Thought of the hammer but the wife has locked it away!

 

I was once forced to go 9 miles beyond empty in an X300 on a dark, wet night in Yorkshire, UK. Never chose to repeat the experience with the X308 that replaced it but I've no doubt they will be similarly calibrated.

After the warning light came on, the range gradually dropped to '1' as the miles rolled by and then stayed on '1' for a further 8 miles until we finally found an open Service Station.

Although the Handbook shows 6 litres remaining from the 'empty' warning, I'm convinced there is actually more than that left in the tank at this point. However. I don't plan to test this theory!

Graham

 

I think that the only way to prove this is to put a jerry can in the boot and run until dry and see what happens. no doubt it will suck up all manners of crap and I won't be able to start it!

 

There must be a serious amount of crap in the bottom of the tank after a few years. The older models (e.g. XJ6 Series I) have a drain plug in the bottom of the tank but there's no way to do a total drain on the later models short of taking the tank out.

Do let us know how the experiment with the jerry can goes!

Graham

 

Still 1/4 full. Petrol being the price it is I am not going to waste it.

 

I am at 62ltrs used and 0 Range for the last 18k's and still going. Should run out soon.

 

Once you have finished your experiment, a fuel filter change might be in order.

 

That's a good point plums. Maybe a new maintenance routine. Run the tank dry before changing the fuel filter. It might be a little tricky though.

 

Two ?'s - Where is the filter couldn't see it in the engine bay & I thought I would get all scientific and open the fuel tank and see how much is left but it the side 'sender unit ' if its that, seems to be crimped in, so how do I open it?
Keep happy

 

OK finally run out of petrol. Litres used showed 69.2 and managed to get 80klm from light on. Nows the interesting bit, I put 4ltrs in to get me to the garage and it took 76.5ltrs to fill up! Something is not right somewhere and only getting 22mpg on a long run is pretty woeful for a 3.2ltr. Used to get 28 on my 5,4l V12 BMW at 140k's. I know I mix up the metric with imperial but I am steam driven!

 

Very interesting results; the big test will be how many litres to fill next time, digital readout, and fuel economy.
I am not impressed with fuel economy on mine, I get about 21mpg on 20km runs to town and back, about 28 on a trip.
But I still love driving it.
Keep us informed