smell in boot
 

I am getting a bit fed up with the smell of fuel in my boot. I have fitted a brand new tank the sump tank seems good, I've brazed all the joints into to floor connections I've done everything else twice that could be a problem, I even took a glowing white owl cigar around all the pipes tonight. Nothing. It has been like this for 22 years could it be the BL sump tank. In all honesty I am about to give up.😠

This problem can be a real stinker to fix (sorry) :)

First, did you remove all the boot trim and thoroughly clean it? It'll hold the odor for a long, long, LONG time as the confined, enclosed space doesn't allow any place for it to go. I threw mine in the bathtub with a heaping dose of Simple Green.

One trick I learned from a fellow Jag guy is to wrap all joints in colored tissue paper and check it in 24-48 hours. The slightest weep of gas (and that's all it takes) will discolor the tissue. You'll spot weeps in a second that way.

Cheers
DD

Thanks Doug I use your write ups for everything. There are no leaks. I have low permeation (uk) marine hoses quality on it
I think my next step is change them 1 by 1 to gates. I am just so fed up now as even the white owl couldn't find it. When ever its in the garage, most of the time, it has the trunk lid open.

I am also a fuel odor problem. I found the problem, it's the fuel pump. How I found it. I blew a tank with freon and smelled with the leakseeker . The Bosch pumps are bad. Gates hoses are also not good. Hoses Good year there are better. The pump will change to Pierburg, or American tuners made.

Hope this isn't a red herring...........


I had a bit of a fuel / exhaust odour in the boot and cabin of my coupe. I then noticed that the boot lid stood very proud of the rear wings compared with other XJ-Ss possibly as a result of previous body restoration.


I adjusted the lock to pull the lid lower and the odour seemed to go. I can only think that the boot lid wasn't seating on the rubber seal and exhaust fumes were being drawn into the boot as the car was driven.


Just a thought.


Cheers,


LeeP

I get a lot of fumes in mine too and that is with a replacement tank and fuel lines; I think it is exhaust fumes being pulled in as LeeP says.
I think that it is made slightly worse by the replacement spoiler sitting slightly more forward than the original and upsetting the air flow over the back end.

Fuel odor is a common problem with the XJS, the pump and filter are in the boot, it's almost impossible not to spill fuel when doing a filter change.

On my todo list is relocate the pump and filter outside the boot.

RGP
What have you got under the tank that it is sitting on?
Greg

It is on the original insulation but the only reason I left the original was that the tank I took out didn't actually need replacing, it was surprisingly good. Its exactly the same strength of smell that I have always had in the boot and had a life long mission to cure. I am beginning to wonder about the pump, as suggested by xjsv12 it is the only original thing in the trunk. Apart from a sound sump tank.

RGP
Very sorry to opine that the original stuff under the tank is your problem. By all means test the pump with tissue paper round all of it first; but if that shows nothing, then it is just about certain it is the OEM under tank stuff.


So the sheer joy of pulling the tank again, then sit it on a sheet of neoprene solid rubber that will not absorb any spillages, and it will be OK thereafter. Touch of Loctite 542 on the threads of the unions also good plan.
Greg
Greg

I think its time to part company now. As soon as the tax is due I think I will sell her. Ebay here we come😊

Don't do it Rex, that lovely car you have got to such wonderful condition. You will rue the day. At least think about it, one more day's work, maybe two, and it will be done.
Greg

Agree with Greg, although can feel your frustration.

You sound like you are very close to a solution

I also threaten the car, quite often, with a crusher if it doesn't buck its ideas up works wonders usually. Lol