Hey Guys,

My 03 XKR has had the hard start problem that was experienced by Reverend Sam. The car would take an extra 5 seconds or so to start and then ran like a dream once it started up. Felt like it had to be the check valve in the fuel pump as the system has one fuel line which is supposed to not let the gas back into the tank when it isn't running. Reverend Sam and a few others had a plastic tab that broke on their fuel pump which caused the check valve to fail leading to the longer crank time to start the car.

After many hours of messing around with the fuel line I finally got the fuel pump out and was surprised to see that it looked to be in good shape. It was a challenge to find the right amount of rigidity in the fuel pump disconnect tool to easily get it on the line and be strong enough to insert into the fitting. I also found that my fuel line was slightly bent so I had to make sure to forcefully center it for the disconnect tool to properly insert. I found, after trying a Dorman tool, Harbor Freight tool, and two that I found at Advance Auto Parts that the PT W83148 from AAP was the best tool.

Anyways, once I got the pump out there were no broken plastic tabs and it looked really nice and clean. I was disappointed to discover this as now I am stumped as to why my car would take so long to start and then run just fine once it fires up. In fact, if I turn the car off and then turn it back on it fires up immediately. It is only when it is sitting for a while that it takes longer to start up. Do you guys have any idea of what could cause this aside from a bad check valve on the fuel pump? I would hate to spend $800-900 to buy a new fuel pump that would end up not solving the issue and I feel that the fuel pump motor at least is working just fine and that there might be an easy fix to the pump module to make it hold the fuel up. Reverend Sam was able to fix his pump with simple baling wire but unfortunately there are no obvious issues that I can see by looking at it.

Thanks!

Corey

 

Have you replaced the fuel filter?

 

Hmm. If it's the 2 pump system, and you have the pumps out already (no easy task), maybe replace them - just because...? They are not that expensive I don't think...

 

Actually it is the one pump system in the 2003. $800 pump.

 

No I haven't. Shoot, do you think that could very well be the cause of this? I am going to bang my head against a wall if that is the case!

 

If you are still running your factory fuel filter, that could very well be your issue. They tend to clog up as the years go by and cause the fuel pump to have to work much harder, eventually killing it. I replaced the factory fuel filter in my wife's 2006 XK8 as part of my 90,000-mile service on that car in March 2015. I replaced it with a Motorcraft FG-9868 fuel filter ordered from Amazon for about $11. The small amount of fuel that dripped out of it after I removed it was a greyish color, indicating that it needed to be replaced long before I did so. I made a mental note at the time that I would replace it again every 40,000 to 50,000 miles. The car has done 32,700 miles since then....

 

Right on. Know the fear and potential pain O that expense all too.well...

 

isn’t there a one way valve in the tubing

you can always plumb one in

 

You can run more tests:

1. Fuel pressure is available over OBDII at all times. Should read 55psi pretty much all the time. Try and read it as it cranks.
2. Once you replace the fuel filter, follow it with a nice injector cleaner like Techron. See if things improve after running through a tank.
3. Try and "prime" the fuel system (key on, ignition on, but leave engine off) several times before cranking to see if it helps.
4. Keep an eye out for P0191 and P0193 when the fuel sensor goes out of range.
5. Try and exercise the pop valve: drive under boost, and then suddenly release the gas pedal.

 

Cs81srq......

I'd had this problem forever...Then, the 3rd Fuel Pump went-out and I did what you have done....Requested HELP from the Boys.....I received an answer from Charley in Arizona and gave the information to my Guy, as my Fuel Pump was out for the 3rd or 4th time! $850 for a Pump is more than I can continue to paid every year or so I was looking for some answer...Charlie had the same problem some time before and was good enough to send me the directions that he used to end the Problem! I am going to attempt to send you Charlie's directions:

My XKR would crank over as long as 10 seconds sometimes but after this....It starts right-up! The slow Starting had been looked at by Jaguar and several other Jaguar Mechanics but no one could Help me....Works great Today!

Billy Clyde @ Cinco Ranch .

 

Thank you for sharing Billy! I will certainly look into this. The only thing I find odd is that my car idles and runs smoothly all of the time which is different from Charlie's problem but his resolution worked for your problem which is similar to mine so it is worth looking into. What sucks is that I think I have to reinstall the fuel pump to try this and the other suggestions from fmertz. Grrrr.

 

Thank you for the suggestions fmertz. I recall that my fuel pressure was always at around 56 the last time I had to read the OBDII when it was running. Unfortunately, to test it now I have to reinstall the pump. I am torn as to what to do as the fuel line fitting was incredibly hard to remove but I feel that it should be easier the next time around with the experience I now have under my belt. Definitely going to replace the fuel filter and run the injector cleaner through. As for priming the system, I would try that when I first got the car as it was somewhat embarrassing at times but it didn't seem to make a tremendous difference and at this point I don't care if people chuckle as I attempt to start up the Jag! As for the pop valve, can you explain a little more about what that is and what I am looking for? Thanks!

 

You should give your "Thanks" to Charley! During this last Fuel Pump replacement, we also replaced the VDO sender that sets close to the Gas Tank.....That might be of some help also.....They are about $80.00 Bucks or so........

Also, I would appreciate your letting me know how this worked-out for you!

Billy Clyde @ Cinco Ranch

 

Hey Guys,

Just wanted to provide an update here. I ended up biting the bullet and going with a new fuel pump even though the one I removed looked fine. I was able to get one through oempartsdirect which is a front for the Jaguar dealership parts department. It was a decent price, $650 plus tax and shipping which was way better than the $850-900 I was seeing.

I also replaced the fuel filter using the Wix33078 filter which worked perfectly. Thank you to the forum members who posted this part number as there were many options on many websites and I have learned that just because they say it fits your car doesn’t mean that is the case.

Anyways, great news here as the car fires up perfectly every time! I think it was definitely the fuel pump because the filter I took off seemed okay and didn’t have any nasty colored gas coming out. I thought about the charley fix of messing with the wires going into the fuel tank but decided that my problems were different than the problems that led to that fix. My car ran great all the time once it was started but just took forever to fire up if it sat. I could always turn it off and turn it right back on and it fired up properly but if it sat for a few minutes it took 3-6 seconds to actually fire.

I was surprised to find that the fuel pump I removed looked perfect and rolled the dice on buying a new one thinking it very well might not solve the problem. Thankfully it did and the Jag has one less issue to work through!

Thank you guys for your help. I could have never done this if it wasn’t for the wealth of knowledge, patience, and generosity of this forum!

Thanks,
Corey

 

Corey,

Don't throw away the information I sent you from Charley.....I ignored his directions and had to go back and redo the Wiring as he did! As I said, 'It works great NOW!

Billy Clyde @ Cinco Ranch

 

Of course not! Ha I appreciate the help Billy and have those instructions printed and in my file of Jaguar repair stuff.