Ive recently joined the forum after buying my first Jaguar. Its a 1993 XJ-6. Before I bought it, I test drove it and it ran great. I had a truck deliver it to me and after unloading it, it didnt run right. Now it will start and run for about 20 seconds but then dies. I can here the fuel pump run so being new to Jaguars I'm at a loss as to the fuel pump being bad or a relay or something else. If anybody else has had this problem or has any idea's please let me know. thanks.
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Replace your fuel pump.

 

Before you do the pump check fuel line for blockage and that the fuel filter flows freely.

 

I replaced the fuel filter and the line wasnt blocked but there is hardly any pressure coming through. The pump runs constantly so Im wondering if it might be the fuel pressure regulator.

 

Update. Fuel pump is shot.

 

"Update" New fuel pump installed. New fuel filter and plugs. Turn key switch on and the pump runs continuously. Did a test of the fuel pressure regulator by mashing the return line with a clamp and appeared nothing wrong with it. The car will start and idle for about 20 seconds and quit. Running out of ideas on this one.

 

This is a fun one. Hopefully your in a place where if fuel gets all over you can clean it up, or put a tub underneath. Disconnect the outport of the fuel filter and turn the key to on, did fuel come rushing out? If so, get yourself a fuel pressure gauge and check it at the rail after the regulator. Also get the Haynes manual.

 

Thank you. I did get a Hayes manual with the car. I'm still reading through it. I disconnected the outport and fuel did come rushing out. I'll get a fuel pressure gauge in the morning and check the pressure it at the rail and post my findings. Thanks again

 

Fuel pressure at the rail is 28-30 psi.

 

That's vg pressure. Have you replaced your CPS?

 

Let's start from the top. How long was the car sitting before you purchased it?
Open the fuel door and see if there is any debris surrounding the filler hole. Take a very small cup of water and pour it around the fuel hole leaving the cap on. Does it run out? Does it seem to fill up? I have a sneaky suspicion you may have either a contaminated gas tank or water in there. It doesn't take much for it to play havoc with your car, and your mind. Granted there seems to be enough octane for her to fire up. When you did the fuel pressure test, did the fuel smell a bit odd? look odd? You have spark and fuel etc. The CPS will interrupt that spark, water in the gas will cause it too stall. It may be one or the other, amongst a bad rotor and/or distributor cap. Use the search function within the XJ40 section, you'll get it sooner or later.

 

No I havent replaced the CPS. The car set for about a year and a half before I bought it. Gas does smell a little stale. I poured water around the gas cap and it drained through the overflow tube( after cleaning some trash from around the gas filler) Gas gauge showed below empty when I bought it(It ran then) and I put 8 gallons of gas in it. While installing the pump drained and cleaned tank and put fresh gas in it. Ill try the CPS next.Thanks for the advice mrtalkradio.

 

Water, even the littlest bit will cause you to spend hours diagnosing and replacing components to only find it was water to begin with. Search some of my posts and you'll see.

 

Update. I walked a way from it for a couple of days and got back on it yesterday. I completely drained the tank and put 5 gallons of fresh gas in it and changed the fuel filter again and pulled the injection rail and cleaned the fuel injectors and replaced the o rings. Put everything back together and turned the key and held my breath. Fuel pump kicked on for a few seconds and when I cranked it it started, sputtered a little and idle out fine. Gave it some gas and it revved up as its supposed to. I drove it around for about a hour and a half and doesnt seem to have any problems. Thanks all for the advice on getting the Jag going.

 

It was water. Go get some dry gas and or fuel injector cleaner. Run it, run it and run it again. Don't be disappointed if she does what she did before, until it's all gone, it will continue to cough it out.

 

Thank you. I put fuel injection cleaner in it yesterday and drove it for about a hour and it sputtered every now and then but its getting better. I figure it will take a while to work the water out of its system.

 

Good to hear. It's a revolving door around here. One person's cars up and another goes down. I'm in the XJS section as well, and mine caught on fire this morning. Not pretty.

 

Oh shoot sorry to hear that. I hope it wasnt hurt too bad

 

Hi, I have almost the same problem, park the car in front of shop to replace water pump and hoses, a week later when I was done it starts and run for 3-4 seconds and dyes, check t for vacuum leaks etc. Have spark, voltage to coil,
fuel pump relay work. So now what? Any thoughts? Thanks Tony.
PS it is a 93 XJ6.

 

Although mine is an X300 (97 XJ) I know the layout is similar. (this is my 3rd Cat)

However this is the ONLY ONE that cleaning debris from the plastic filler (for the fuel filler overflow tube) hasn't cleared up!

Tried compressed air and seemed to clear the standing water out OK; however next rain showed still clogged!

ANY IDEAS?!? Need fresh gas to help my kitty run smoother! Would gas down the tube (after clearing visible water again) 'loosen' whatever's down the tube clogging it? (That is short of paying hours for mechanic to disassemble and repair or replace it.)