I have a 1984 xj6 which I recently purchased. The right side tank has a bit of a leak, and there was an unknown amount of fuel in it. I decided to run it out to reduce the nasty little puddle in my driveway.

Well, it ran dry, and now when I switch to the other left side tank the car won't start. The fuel pump was recently replaced.

Any ideas on what I should do?

Thanks!

 

You may have sucked up a pile of gunk from the bottom of the tank. It happens !

Remove the fuel filter and empty the contents into a clean container. Your next steps will be dictated by what you see.

Cheers
DD

 

Thanks! Seeing as I just bought the car, and don't have a repair manual yet, where would I find the fuel filter?

 

In the right forward corner of the spare tire compartment...under the trunk floor.

Cheers
DD

 

Thanks! That's what I thought.

 

Well, pulled out the filter, and the fuel was very rusty. I'm assuming that was from the crap tank.

Is there a way to clean the filter, or do I just need to go buy a new one?

 

Buy a new filter and hope the the other tank isn't rusty.

You might want to get an additional filter to insert in the line between the tank and the changeover valve to protect your new fuel pump...which could be ruined by rusty fuel. You'll need one for 1/2" ID fuel lines. NAPA has 'em.

Cheers
DD

 

Fortunately, downstream was clear, so the filter was keeping the crap out. It just got all clogged up. Fortunately, this is a cheap part, even locally!

 

Yeah, but the pump is before the filter so if there's any crap in the fuel it goes through the pump before reaching the filter. But if you're satisfied that the working tank is clean......

Cheers
DD

 

Yeah, I think I killed the pump with the gas from the bad tank. I put the new filter in, and I can hear the pump actuating, but I'm still not getting the engine to fire up. I've got a new pump coming, so I might as well just throw another filter inline pre-pump.

Do you recommend just one of the cheap plastic ones?

 

I dont see why not, since it'll be before the pump....low pressure location The trick is finding an inline filter with 1/2" nipples.

Cheers
DD

 

True. . . I guess we'll see what I can find.

 

Each petrol tank has gauze filters at the pick-up point. You can remove these to clean them, and also flush through with a bit of clean petrol by removing the plugs covering the access holes each side which are located on the rear quarter panels, just the the rear of each wheel arch. These can be difficult to remove, but the 1/4 panels are bolt-on as they are the access for removing the tanks themselves. This whole area to the rear of the wheel arches is a big corrosion area. I had the tanks out on my '80 car in about 1990 prior to dealing with the rust and having to weld a new valance and bootfloor in. It is quite an involved job, but nothing too complicated.

 

I have the strangest issue with my 84 XJ6. I got it out of the shop and it ran great for about 10 minutes. then it seemed like it was choking and then died and would not restart. I disconnected the fuel filter and each line from the tanks and then reconnected them and it seemed to start for 2 minutes and then would die again and not restart.
Last night after sitting for weeks I charged the battery. It started and ran brilliantly...for five minutes and died again. There is a huge smell of gas. but I can't see any leaking on the ground. the fuel filter has recently been replaced. Does anyone know what is going on?

Thanks Much,

Curtis

 

If you're smelling actual raw gasoline then you have a leak.....even if it isn't hitting the ground. Lots of hoses to check in the engine bay and luggage compartment. One often overlooked hose is at the very front of the cylinder head....only about 2" long, joinging two fuel return pipes together.

If you sense that the engine is "choking"....too much fuel....then two common causes are A) a faulty coolant temp sensor which gives a constant "cold reading", thus commanding the system to enrich for the fuel mixture and B) a faulty fuel pressure regulator...either allowing too much fuel pressure or physically leaking, which allows raw fuel to be drawn into the cylinders

Cheers
DD

 

Thanks Doug.

Where exactly are these parts located on the engine? I see there is Bosch, Lucas and a couple other mfg's. for the parts. Does it make a difference which one I buy?

Curtis