Hi everyone. I have a 1974 XJ6L, USA spec, for which I would like your guidance on troubleshooting a start problem. For background, I have owned the car for 40 years. Most recently, It was garaged for three years as I chased what I thought was a carb issue, but after five months in the shop, turned out to be a combination of bad auto chokes on the carbs, plus a bad head gasket and a distributor that was a mess.
So, it has been running well, but for the starter being a bit reluctant on initial start up. I was not surprised since it had been abused during the last couple of years and was about 35 years old. Battery new, cables OK.
So, recently, I went out to hot start it, and I got nothing but a "click" when moving the ignition switch to start. So, I replaced the starter with a rebuilt unit (not having time to get one of the high torque ones). Nine hours later...still "click".
So, I would like to follow this in a logical way with my voltmeter. Since all the smog stuff is piled on top of everything else, I have to access from under the car. So, I would like to get suggestions from those smarter than I am of a suggested troubleshooting sequence.
Thanks in advance for your patience and help.

 

Presume you have checked the battery?

 

Yup, a heavy-duty new battery at 12.78 volts resting.

 

Check the braided ground connection from the engine to the body underneath?

 

Will do.
Thanks.

 

gasoline flows from the green tube


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1974 XJ6 (added by GGG)

 

I found the issue. It was the wire from the relay to the solenoid. It looked OK but had obviously deteriorated. I made up a new one and all is well.

 

I think that would be carburettor float valve not working, or blocked, and thus staying open, so the float bowl overflows.

 

Thanks for the advice, today I discovered the hatch scrubber, dented cover. He grinded and also put new oil in the pistons. Gasoline did not flow after starting. Test drive 5 km, return back and the petrol was dripping again. It dripped a little. I'll have to take apart the float.

 

Check that the float chamber breather to atmosphere is not blocked. Most common cause of overflowing float chambers on SU carbies.

 

Thanks Bill, is that the screw?

 

Where can I buy a gasket repair kit? Or a new AED? Jaguar XJ6 1974

 

Everything for SU carbs is available from Burlen Services:

https://burlen.co.uk

 

also check with Joe Curto in the USA.

www.joecurto.com