Hey guys - 1998 XJ8 VdP with 53K miles is doing well, but every 4th or 5th time I start the engine, it turns over a little hard (takes maybe 2-3 secs or so but always starts). I notice this only if I have driven the car a short distance, and then try to start it withing a couple of hours - never if the car has been left for a day or two. It will also only do it once that day. If I stop and try to start the engine again right away, it will always start quickly.

Other than the obvious: checking battery voltage etc, anything else I should be doing? Could this be a spark plug issue? I'm new to Jaguar. What a great car! Many thanks in advance!

 

Wrong forum here but it sounds like a slight vapor lock problem (fuel return check valve leaking slightly or a 'dribbly' injector). Put a fuel pressure gauge on the fuel rail and watch the pressure after 'shutdown'.

bob gauff

 

Sorry for posting in the 'newer Jag' forum (Mods - please feel free to move this over there).

Please explain this to me like I am a two-year-old. If what you suspect is the case, how much damage can this cause the car, and what would I be looking to pay a third party to repair this, as I have limited equipment? Thanks once again.

 

Moved , thanks motorcarman for his help as well

 

Thanks for moving. Would really appreciate insight from others, too, regarding the above. Thanks, guys!

 

Here are some things to check. Time for some diagnosis.
Let us know what you find.

bob gauff

 

Thanks, motorcar man!

No problems turning for days...until I tried the experiment today. Car was driven around 10 miles earlier today (say 2 hrs ago) - went to turn it on, and it took 2 secs to turn over with a little trouble as it has been doing on occasion, but it turns. Now the experiment: I ran at ~2000 rpm for a minute, let it idle, turned it off, left it for 60 minutes, then turned over just fine. Now I am confused.

Sticky injector? Any utility in an injection cleaner instilled into a near empty gas tank?