Hi all, new Jaguar XJ owner here, i hope I am posting in the correct place, I have just bought a 1997 XJ and I have noticed a really strong smell of fuel when driving, it’s so strong it’s been making my eyes nip. I have looked under the bonnet and there is no sign of a leak. Can anyone please suggest what could be causing it. The car is in great shape and drives amazingly however it is using a load of fuel, I notice when I accelerate the smell becomes worse.

Any help would be appreciated.

Many thanks.

 

Just off the cuff I would think you have an exhaust leak. You could be running rich causing the smell too. You could also have an evap leak somewhere. Do you have a check engine light or any codes stored on the vehicle?

 

Thanks for the reply,

there does not seem to be any exhaust leaks nor is there any warning lights on. I am thinking it’s a dirty injector as it is running a little rough on idle (like juddering slightly). Would a injector clearer be the best first port of call?

 

Is your vehicle supercharged? From what I understand removing injectors on an R is a pain. Cleaner can sometimes work. But often if they are really gummed up you will need to remove them and clean or replace them.

 

I have experienced this on several non-Jag vehicles. Source was commonly some sort of leak along the fuel filler neck / pipe to tank plumbing. Or possibly even the rollover valve / vent. Maybe this is the case here, and maybe not. If the experience occurs when the tank is more full than empty, consider focusing on this location first to at least eliminate an easier to locate source.

 

This one s for the x350 x356 x358 from 2003 to 2009 with 3,0 v6 / v8 4,2 na or sc or 3,5 /and tdvi 2,7 v6 diesel

 

I suggest you stop driving around with the car . And try to find the leak . Would not like to hear of such a beautiful jag burned to the ground