I have traced a fuel smell to the fuel filter twice, by putting it in a plastic bag and smelling the bag after a couple of days, has anyone found a fuel filter that works without advertising its purpose, preferably 1 with no seem round it, what pressure is the pump actually putting into the canister?

 

Rex
I use an aftermarket one like this, 100% leak and smell free, comes with various size tails:
https://www.merlinmotorsport.co.uk/p...ls-inj-filt-a2

 

You might be getting odor from the hose connections. I'd try cutting the hose off about 1/2" and reseat it on the filter to see if it changes.

 

Most likely not the filter itself, but the hose or connection. Try using fuel injection clamps in the appropriate size, they will clamp the hose more evenly.

If the hose isn't soft and pliable consider replacing the hose as well, with fuel line of an appropriate pressure rating ( usually 100 psi)

 

FWIW

I eliminated 98% fuel odor problems in the boot by switching to Marine spec SAE J1527 "Barrier Hose". This standard has several rating levels. I went with A1-15 and A1-10 hose. "Ultra Low" permeability (the "10" and "15") and high fire resistance (the "A1"). It is rated for a working pressure of 100 psi and burst pressure of 400 psi.

This hose has much thicker walls than automotive grade fuel hose

Cheers
DD

 

Quick question, I also have a fuel smell in the boot. I have read and RED and had gotten to the point where I just believed it was something that XJS folks have to learn to live with. I don't mind so much but MeLady doesn't even like putting things IN the boot, because.

What about the permanent lines? The ones that come from the tank itself (this is from memory) and the one that finally leaves the boot, turning into a steel line, heading under the car? Can this also be replaced. Mine seem solid, not sweating, but I was wondering.

I had come across (info from y'all here) an 30r14 rated hose that I used under the hood. I would like to use hose of the same rating in the boot but don't know the range of sizes to use back there. Its not all 5/16ths.

 

I wouldn't worry about the hard lines except where the joints are.

Any joint you're suspicious of can be wrapped in colored tissue paper. If there's the slightest ooooze, it'll show.

30R14 hose should be OK as it's a barrier hose as well. Personally I'll stick with the marine grade stuff as I'm happy with it. One thing about the marine hose, though, is I never checked the spec for temp resistance. This would be a good idea before using it in the engine bay, if anyone has the notion to do so.

Sizes? I can't remember, as it's been so long since I had an XJS. My Series III V12 uses a mix of 1/2", 3/8", and 5/16"......and 1/4" (I think)

Cheers
DD

 

The marine hose my local supplier can get meets SAE J1527 and ISO 7840/1994 and rated for fuel to be continuously present. It's rated from -20 to 95C

 

i had some 8mm hose on the filter, i hope this was the problem, i replaced it with 7.6MM SAEJ30R9 and fuel line clips, keeping my fingers crossed,

 

By the way, if you haven't done so already, remove and wash all of the trunk carpeting/trim. It absorbs the fuel odor and will give you a nose full of stink long after you've corrected the problem.

Cheers
DD

 

Boys and Girls from the XJS Brotherhood,

Fuel smell in the boot is something from stock. The design is simplified with fuel lines in the boot area connected with the XJS cabin (just look behind the vents located in the back section of the rear quarter glass (there are metal flaps hanging on the piece of fabric in there, or rather they were hanging many years ago).

The fuel hoses used those days were having really low permeability when compared to technological possibilities (PERMEABILITY = the amount of fuel that passes the rubber surface as a vapour).

Current manufacturers don’t give a single “F” about permeability as all the fuel lines in modern cars are located externally (no smell inside). Any class of the hoses manufactured today will have SAE30R9 approval as this approval is not even considering permeability as an issue.

The best hoses I used all-over inside, including vapour separator – is the Gates Barricade. I bought cheaper ones and failed completely with fuel smell elimination. I paid twice to get those from US to UK…

In terms of leak location – use something called “Fuel Leak Detector / Halogen detector” – have a look here: https://www.xjsbanger.co.uk/xjs-toolbox You can find those for £25ish on eBay, more expensive versions will have better resolution to tune in. You can also check leaking places on the uk-sheet-metal-tank with this.

And DON’T FORGET to check the hoses connecting metal lines over the rear subframe...

 

The marine hose standard I mentioned is for hoses intended to run through enclosed spaces in boats, so has low permeability. There are 4 broad classes of marine hose: A1, A2, B1,& B2. Class 1 relates to permeability and 1 is the least permeable and should be used where fuel is always in the hose. Class 2 can be used for things like filler necks, where fuel is not always present.

The A and B ratings refer to flame resistance. Class A hose has a flame resistant cover and will resist burning. Class B has not been subject to flammability tests. So any hose that meets class 1 should be good for the boot hose application. I'd probably use an A class hose in the engine bay.

 

Hi Jagboi64,
I use to lookl at those and unfortunately - I was unable to find one suitable for EFI - so high pressure applications. Other ones with marine grades were having permeability higher than Barricade... The only one available would be PTFE. Can you advise on marine class 1 suitable for EFI>????

 

I'm in Canada, and my local industrial hose supplier has this, rated at 100psi: https://www.greenlinehose.com/catalo...perpage=60&a=1