Hello community! I'm out here fighting the good fight… I like to drive my family around in the 1983XJ6 my grandfather gave me 15 years ago… After spending considerable funds, trying to overhaul the fuel system I now realize I will never be able to drive without concern of breakdown because the fuel tanks are constantly shedding debris and crap likely from the ethanol content fuel I have to feed her on. This is caused me to be stranded on multiple occasions. I have to tow it somewhere where they blow out the lines, clean out the gunk and send me back out. I can't afford to buy new fuel tanks. I'm not even sure if I did that it would solve the problem. Has anyone tried or heard of an aftermarket solution to this issue? What I have in mind is some type of transparent plastic fuel filter/catch downstream from the tank, upstream from the fuel pump. I'm envisioning I'd be able to visually inspect when it needs cleaning, twist closed the fuel line from up and downstream side.... detach and empty and clean the filter. put it back. twist open the two valves and go on my merry way… what do yall think?

 

Several have fitted filters upstream of the fuel pumps. They help, but not always. In my case, it seemed the filters caught the big stuff. Some very small iron containing particles get through and stick together later in the system (perhaps due to the magnetic fields). The best solution is to fit new tanks and keep them full. I don't think rusting in the tanks is due to ethanol as much as that they are tall tanks and water condenses on the vertical walls if they aren't close to full.

 

How bad is the problem? Are you calling the tow truck every 100 miles or every 1,000 miles?

New tanks are the solution to your problem. If that's outside your budget, think about a filter like this in front of the fuel pump and one like this after. Those are nice as they are easy to disassemble for cleaning and they sell replacement filter elements. You can use a shut off valve to minimize the amount of fuel spilt. If you're proactive in cleaning and/or replacing the filters at a periodic interval.

Another option is to bypass the original fuel tanks and install a fuel cell. If you go that route make sure you understand how to secure it in the trunk. I passed a car yesterday that had one sitting on the back seat.

 

Years ago a pal of mine with a rusty-tanked XJ6 removed the drains and flushed out the tanks with a garden hose and let them air dry. This removed a lot of loose rust flakes. He then added a filter between each tank and the changeover valve. After just a couple days those filters clogged; he replaced them. After a week, those filters were clogged and then replaced. Then again at three weeks, and again at six weeks. I think he went thru this routine 5 or 6 times but it was years of smooth sailing after that.

A bit unorthodox but, hey, it worked for him.

[shrug]

Cheers
DD

 

Right.

Decades before E10 became a thing the recommendation was to store cars with the gas tank(s) full to reduce the inevitable condensation/rusting problem.

Cheers
DD

 

In the XJS pre facelift, Jaguar had a swirl tank between the fuel tank and the pump. It was there principally to ensure the pump did not run dry on cornering with a low fuel level in the main tank. However it also has a secondary purpose, that of collecting any debris that comes out of the tank. Fuel is gravity fed into this tank (about a 9 inch cube size) and the exit from it to the pump takes fuel out of the swirl tank about half way up, as shown in this link:
https://parts.jaguarlandroverclassic.../brand/jaguar/

Now on the XJS the entire swirl pot system is below the level of the main tank so it is always fully gravity fed, so I have no idea if this sort of setup is an option. It does, though, work astonishingly well to trap debris. I have emptied swirl tanks that look like they are full of Guiness, but the car was still running perfectly!

Having said that, as Thorsen noted, new tanks, pre and post pump filters, or a modern fuel cell with same, are the best solutions.

 

Thanks for the reply, Peter!

 

Thanks for the reply, Thorson! I'm definitely gonna look into these links!
Tans your question it's more like every thousand miles.

 

Wow, that's quite an effort! But I totally understand and I've been feeling the filters are the way. Thank you again.

 

interesting! I will adopt this

 

Thank you Greg!

 

Thorsen, can you recommend a shut off valve?

 

Luke,
Not sure what size your fuel line is but guessing at 5/16. I'd pick . is particular looks attractive.

I would put it between the tank(s) and the fuel pump. If you close the valve, pull the fuel pump fuse, and crank the engine you will release all the pressure in the system. With the valve between the tank and pump closed you won't have much fuel lost.