For lack of a better title

My hesitation problem had started getting worse. Cleaning the TB had helped but apparently that wasn't the problem. I checked for intake leaks and replaced my intake with a homemade aluminum duct with joiners. That also didn't solve it.
The other day when I refilled my car about ¾ full I added some STP fuel injector cleaner. I felt I was grasping at straws and that without a personal code reader I wouldn't be able to figure this out.

After adding the fuel injector cleaner I set off on an 80 mile drive. During the first 5 minutes something unexpected happened. My car went into Restricted Performance and the CEL came on. I could only assume that this wasn't a coincidence. After a minute or so the restricted performance cleared up. I noticed immediately the car was responding a little better. Then when I pressed on the gas a bit more I heard a few pops from my exhaust. After each pop the car would pick up more power.

After about half an hour of driving Cleo seemed cured. For the past week, I've noticed that after each drive she is performing better and better. The CEL cleared two days ago on its own and now I barely notice any hesitation except when flooring her from a dead stop. When I do this she still pops a bit and then sets off. Each time the pops get more infrequent and the response gets better.

I can only assume my injectors were dirty because of the 2 years of using 10% ethanol petrol. I'm now using 91 octane Shell petrol with no ethanol. I'm not sure if it's worth it to drive up to the one petrol station in town that offers Sunoco 100 octane fuel.

At least I've now I have some peace of mind and know that I didn't have a failing injector or fuel pump. I think I'll add more injector cleaner on my next fillup and make it a monthly routine.

On an unrelated note:

I've lately noticed that my brake warning light sometimes doesn't go on when I engage my handbrake and sometimes it does. I did have my brake pads changed last month but I didn't do the ebrake. Any thoughts?

Lastly, how do frequent short trips affect the engine? (Such as from my dorm a couple miles a way to campus and back)

 

Most of the mainland Jags have been using 10% ethanol for many years, and not much comment about injector problems. I think your problem is more likely due to the short trips. The engine needs to get up to operating temperature and stay there for a while, and that means the oil, not just the water temp.

 

Should my oil changes should be more frequent than most? There's not much I can do about the short trips. The university is about 2 minutes away by Jag, but 10 minutes away by foot. I used to walk to campus, but I stopped the day two guys attempted to mug me.

 

I would take my car for a 25-30 mi drive in the country every few days. It's not the perfect answer, but should help. Just adding a few extra miles to your drive every couple of days to get the oil temp. up will help. Summer driving here is a lot like PR, and it takes over 15 min. for the oil pressure to drop, using the Realgauge pressure mod. Your oil changes are probably okay if you just add some drive time. That's part of the problem owning a GT car vs. a prius, etc.

 

So in other words, I should drive to my parent's house every weekend and spend an ungodly amount on gas.

 

or buy a Fiat 500 for your daily drives

 

run some seafoam thru a tank of gas?

 

But think what you could save on Food ;-)

 

wouldn't hurt to change out the 14 year old fuel filter

 

As we have all learned by now, owning a Jag is not easy for those on a limited budget. The initial cost of a used XK8 may be low, but the upkeep tends to put it in the exotic class.