After a no start scare, I finally got my car running and made it home.

Pulled out the fuel pressure tester and found my pressure way below 48 psi (I think it is supposed to be at 48 psi).

After turning the key to the "on" position, my pressure went up to 40 psi, then dropped to 25 psi in 30 seconds. Too much drop?

Here is a video of the fuel pump in action.

Does this look like a fuel pump on its way out?
Thanks for the input.

 

First I would look at your fuel filter, then the pumps. Yes your pump may be going out. It won't throw a code, but it will quit running.

 

Is 48+- psi correct for this car?

 

The JTIS on a 2001 XK8 show 44 psi as normal with the engine running and vacuum line removed from the pressure regulator and plugged. It should read about 38 psi if you don't remove the vacuum line and the engine running. I'm with Doug on the fuel filter you should have seen all the stuff that I poured out of mine when I replaced it.
The JTIS you can download from links at the top of the XK8/XKR page.

 

+2 on the fuel filter - Look at the condition of the fuel coming out of the fuel filter first - if you see darkish fluid or any type of debris - odds are your fuel pump is either on it's last leg or in "critical condition" - but change out the fuel filter and see if your fuel pressure stabilizes. Cluld be as simple as a clogged filter...

 

When I drained the gas out of the fuel pressure gauge, I thought it looked pretty dark!
Fuel filter will be changed tomorrow.
I think I remember it being under the car, or was it in the wheel well?

 

I believe it is behind the driver's side wheel well... let us know your findings after changing it out...

 

Yes the filter is located between the left driver’s seat and the rear wheel. Not sure if your 2001 has the same disconnect as a 1999 but it is in the same place.
Link http://www.jagrepair.com/images/Auto...r1999xk8-2.jpg

 

Got the fuel filter off, not to difficult.
Wish I could have let it wait to use the lift in the autoshop at work, but it needed to get done asap.
Filter was located just in front of the rear driver side wheel.
A fair amount of crud in the gas that poured out of the filter.

The real test will be when I check the fuel pressure after lunch.

Hopefully I get a decent increase in pressure, otherwise I think the fuel pump is the culprit for the random hard start.

 

Fuel pressure is 32 psi before filter change, and 32 psi after fuel filter change.
I hacked up the old filter to see what kind of shape the element was in.
Dirty shape, that's what kind of shape!

While I was getting dirty, I changed the oil.
Put in Valvoline 5w-30 full synthetic.

Gotta remember to keep an eye on the wife's oil level.
Only got about 4.5 quarts out of the car. I guess she burned about 2 quarts since the last oil change (Thats leaving a guesstimate of 1/2 a quart still in the galleries and such).
Last change was about 4,000 miles ago.

Now do I bite the bullet and change the fuel pump, or wait.........
It is her daily driver, and I guess I should bite the bullet and change the pump on my own terms, and not in a service station waiting room.

Car is running like a champ today! Just 2 times in the past year it would just crank but not catch.

 

Kudos to you!