XF - water in fuel message

XF - water in fuel message

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Discussion

roseytvr

Original Poster:

1,788 posts

177 months

Saturday 25th February 2017
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Apparently it needs to go in to drain water off the fuel filter. Is this doable at home? Any one done it?

Simpo Two

85,149 posts

264 months

Saturday 25th February 2017
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roseytvr said:
Apparently it needs to go in to drain water off the fuel filter. Is this doable at home? Any one done it?
I had this warning too (2011 model). It turned out be a faulty sensor (as most things seem to be these days!) and my dealer fixed it free - after a brief discussion -

Trolley dolly service advisor: 'Thankyou for bringing your car into our big shiny new coffee shop, I mean in for a service. As well as the service is there anything else you'd like us to look at?'

'Yes please, there's a 'water in fuel' warning coming on. Can you sort that out too?

'I'm sorry sir that requires a diagnostic check with a laptop which isn't part of the service.'

DOH!

lexusboy

1,099 posts

142 months

Saturday 25th February 2017
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Simpo Two said:
I had this warning too (2011 model). It turned out be a faulty sensor (as most things seem to be these days!) and my dealer fixed it free - after a brief discussion -

Trolley dolly service advisor: 'Thankyou for bringing your car into our big shiny new coffee shop, I mean in for a service. As well as the service is there anything else you'd like us to look at?'

'Yes please, there's a 'water in fuel' warning coming on. Can you sort that out too?

'I'm sorry sir that requires a diagnostic check with a laptop which isn't part of the service.'

DOH!
There's actually an SSM (special service message) that relates to this fault and doesn't need the computer plugged in. It relates to the date code stamped onto the water in fuel sensor. If it falls within the affected date range then you need a new sensor. If it doesn't you would drain the fuel filter, prime it and see if fault reoccurs. Only then will the computer require plugging into the car.

Simpo Two

85,149 posts

264 months

Sunday 26th February 2017
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lexusboy said:
There's actually an SSM (special service message) that relates to this fault and doesn't need the computer plugged in. It relates to the date code stamped onto the water in fuel sensor. If it falls within the affected date range then you need a new sensor. If it doesn't you would drain the fuel filter, prime it and see if fault reoccurs. Only then will the computer require plugging into the car.
Thanks - clearly far beyond the knowledge of a main dealer service advisor! (more like an airline check-in desk actually).

My car would have been made at the end of 2010 and the service was last December so perhaps the 'time fuse' is set for six years?

mike_e

584 posts

262 months

Sunday 26th February 2017
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I've got exactly the same message at the moment. JMD wanted £150.00 to replace the sensor which they said has failed. Quite a common fault apparently but I declined as a new sensor is about £30 and it looks a fairly easy DIY job. Filter is easy to get to under the bonnet, looks like you loosen the filter sleeve, draw it upwards, unplug the sensor which then unscrews. Not attempted it yet, anyone else changed one of these?

Simpo Two

85,149 posts

264 months

Sunday 26th February 2017
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Do we think that car manufacturers/dealers are using 'sensors' as a way to make money from old rope? - either by charging vast amounts to change broken ones, or by programming them to fail after X years?

There are too many electronics in cars, yet we crave more and more.

spreadsheet monkey

4,544 posts

226 months

Monday 27th February 2017
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Simpo Two said:
I had this warning too (2011 model). It turned out be a faulty sensor (as most things seem to be these days!) and my dealer fixed it free - after a brief discussion
From this and other posts, you seem pretty disappointed with your XF. Perhaps you should get rid of it and search out a really good low mileage S-type as a long term keeper.

joe-cz4n7

17 posts

94 months

Sunday 5th March 2017
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Just for anyones future info.

i worked in a Jag main dealer. These are easy to change, and you should be charged no more than about £55 all in to replace it.

Easy job to do at home, remove the filer, unscrew and screw the new sensor in. After you've refitted the filter and connected the pipes, cycle the ignition on/off about 10 times at about 5 second intervals to get the fuel into the filter again. Then start the engine. smile

Simpo Two

85,149 posts

264 months

Sunday 5th March 2017
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You're not wrong, but I had two S-Types over 12 years and wanted a change. The runner-up was the Merc E350 cab but just couldn't face the desperately ordinary interior and drab colours. So I've resigned myself to the fact that all cars are now 'sporting' (ie a bumpy ride) and that therefore my luxury Jaguar is no longer a luxury car but simply the same as all the rest. Which is a pity because they used to be better than the rest. It's a shame Jaguar couldn't cater for ALL their fans by having a 'sports' option for people who want to feel 'sporty', or a 'comfort' option for people who know their journeys are on badly-maintained roads infested with speed cameras. It wouldn't have been too hard. As it is all I can do is keep the 19" wheels in the garage and use 17"s, which takes the sting out of it a bit but there are still parts of the road that feel like a cattle grid. For anyone who's driven a proper Jaguar it's absolutely shocking, but at least I can feel 'on trend'.

Apols to OP for rambling smile