Jaguar xj6 series 2 1975 .

A strong fuel smell in the boot and permeating through the cabin. I replaced the boot seal, smell gotten worse seems to be retaining it.

Seems like weeping from gaskets on the rh fuel pump , not enough to be a problem but I could be wrong there. Line exiting boot floor lower left has no rubber grommet.

Im lacking in knowledge of the fuel venting and return systems, where are valves which can clog up and should I check lines under car for compression?

Looking at the charcoal cannister, the lines seem to come out at the top and at least one goes to the inlet manifold. Larger hose comes out the bottom curves up, through gaurd and....stops. Open. Should this be a line running to the air cleaner? I would have thought for the system to work vapour should at least be drawn out the bottom of the cannister but correct me if im wrong.

Any help where to start what to do and how the system works would be appreciated because the car isnt driveable!!!

 

Please keep a check on the charcoal canister in the fender well, notice if you get any overflow... raw fuel out of the can. Very common and dangerous, and symptomatic of venting problems. That's issue number one for me as I've seen a few completely burned nice xj's over this one item.
That said, the fuel smell is a rabbit hole but can be addressed. It only takes a tiny bit of weeping somewhere to make your wife not ever want to get back in the car (used to my advantage fwiw). It's an old car and all the rubber hoses and rubber grommets can't be expected to last forever. Of note... there are evap lines in the c-pillars behind the trim panels and under the rear parcel shelf inside the cockpit. Grommets in the firewall will be worth replacing and go largely un-noticed and do let in oily exhaust and fuel odors, but I realize not what you're describing here. Rear cabin venting seals (cowbells), and tank vent and evap tubing will all be suspect. A good pic from the shop manual is in order.
Bill

 

Had the same problem (Series 1) recently. If the pump(s) keep ticking (engine off, ignition on), there's a leak forward of the supply lines from the tank(s).
I would empty the trunk of all the covers, spare etc. and turn on the ignition and see if any seepage can be spotted.
As Bill said, plenty of points there in the system prone to age & failure. I sealed off my cabin vents from the trunk side with masking tape. Those cowbells are about as useful as a screen door in a submarine.
I also had seepage from the forward carby (fuel bowl). Faulty valve & gasket, so smells coming from everywhere.
Good thing I don't smoke.
Pete

 

Thanks gents !! Anyone got a picture of the hose which runs from the base of the cannister to the air cleaner? Just the bit from the inside gaurd to the air cleaner. Cheers

 

Hey Mick, any progress on the fuel smell?
Bill

 

I had a bad fuel smell in my series 2 and it was the fuel filler cap gaskets. Made some up and it’s been good ever since.

 

Hi Bill no not at this stage been distracted by other things, some other cars needs .

 

The rubber gaskets are new on the fuel filler caps...but that was 12 months ago

 

Jim by fuel filler cap gaskets do you mean the sealing gasket in the lid, or the gasket between the filler and the body?

 

Mine were in the lid.

 

they were new a while ago but bit cracked now

 

You need quality neoprene rubber, thick enough, which is compressed slightly when you slam the door (lid).

A lot of rubber you buy these days is pretty ordinary, specially the synthetic (read fake) stuff.