Jaguar XKR Supercharged 2003
Discussion
Some time ago I wrote about my XKR Supercharged, fully serviced and spec'd to a very high standard, brembo breaks, recaro seats..detroit wheels etc..only 5500 miles on the clock..in immaculate condition..just one problem my fuel tank burst!! on a red hot day in a busy shopping car park. I put the car into a Jaguar dealership, and they have not been able to find out what the problem is, I have spent £3000 chasing faults around the engine, but still no nearer a soloution. I contacted Jaguar customer service, who initially were very understanding, they request all the parts including the burst fuel tank, and fuel cap. later they decided that it was not a technical fault, and because the car is 9 years old...nothing to do with them!!!
After being off the road for over a month, and since Jagaur had decided that it was nothing to do with them, it was not a technical issue, they suggested that I take it back to the dealership,. for them to work around the engine again, more £££££'s
When you consider the low mileage on the car and fact that the car is in immaculate condition, Jaguar dealership serviced throughout, it worrying that a fuel tank can go 'pop' the reason that I say 'pop' is because when the fuel cap is on tight, I can hear it, the 'popping sound' I assume is the fuel tank contracting in and out!!
I have brought this to the attention of Jaguar, the dealership and customer service, however, it falls on 'deaf ears..not their problem, so, if I want to drive the car and I am feeling brave, I found that the only soloution is to drive with the fuel cap lose, no more popping, unfortunatly, you can see on an hot day fuel vapours, and you can smell them..So, any advice..please very welcome. £11000 and its yours...best regards Militaryman
After being off the road for over a month, and since Jagaur had decided that it was nothing to do with them, it was not a technical issue, they suggested that I take it back to the dealership,. for them to work around the engine again, more £££££'s
When you consider the low mileage on the car and fact that the car is in immaculate condition, Jaguar dealership serviced throughout, it worrying that a fuel tank can go 'pop' the reason that I say 'pop' is because when the fuel cap is on tight, I can hear it, the 'popping sound' I assume is the fuel tank contracting in and out!!
I have brought this to the attention of Jaguar, the dealership and customer service, however, it falls on 'deaf ears..not their problem, so, if I want to drive the car and I am feeling brave, I found that the only soloution is to drive with the fuel cap lose, no more popping, unfortunatly, you can see on an hot day fuel vapours, and you can smell them..So, any advice..please very welcome. £11000 and its yours...best regards Militaryman
Sorry that you have had such problems with what should be a great car.
You must realise that you are not going to get much out of any manufacturer on a car which is 9 years old - unless it is something covered by the 10 year anti corrosion warranty. Even then your 10 years is getting pretty close. If I were you I would take the car to a recognised independent expert such as Elite & Performance Jaguar, TL Jaguar, XKR Design, or specialist dealers such as Arun or Chiltern, rather than to a Jaguar Main Dealer. That is likely to be much less costly and much more likely imho to find your problem.
Sort the problem first, then sell the car if you want!
You must realise that you are not going to get much out of any manufacturer on a car which is 9 years old - unless it is something covered by the 10 year anti corrosion warranty. Even then your 10 years is getting pretty close. If I were you I would take the car to a recognised independent expert such as Elite & Performance Jaguar, TL Jaguar, XKR Design, or specialist dealers such as Arun or Chiltern, rather than to a Jaguar Main Dealer. That is likely to be much less costly and much more likely imho to find your problem.
Sort the problem first, then sell the car if you want!
Edited by cardigankid on Thursday 3rd January 19:03
Hi thanks cardigankid and triple7, for your replies.
My point re fuel tank 'bursting' is that its not what you would expect to happen in 9 or 10 years, on car of this spec, its quite a catastrophic event, which could have a serious outcome. Also, Jaguar main dealers, or Jaguar engineers, have still not told me what the problem is, and of course the dealership, is happy to investigate, and replace parts..I stopped it at £3000 (which included a new tank). I have been told that its not the fuel cap! But, if I leave it lose, the tank does not make the popping sound, if I tighten it up, it does. I took a jaguar mechanic on a test drive and even he heard the noise, but said that all the diagnostics were showing that the car does not have any malfunction messages...so, there is nothing wrong with the car. I bought the car privately; the last owner bought it from Bentley straight eight, in Hampshire.
Once again thanks for your points...
My point re fuel tank 'bursting' is that its not what you would expect to happen in 9 or 10 years, on car of this spec, its quite a catastrophic event, which could have a serious outcome. Also, Jaguar main dealers, or Jaguar engineers, have still not told me what the problem is, and of course the dealership, is happy to investigate, and replace parts..I stopped it at £3000 (which included a new tank). I have been told that its not the fuel cap! But, if I leave it lose, the tank does not make the popping sound, if I tighten it up, it does. I took a jaguar mechanic on a test drive and even he heard the noise, but said that all the diagnostics were showing that the car does not have any malfunction messages...so, there is nothing wrong with the car. I bought the car privately; the last owner bought it from Bentley straight eight, in Hampshire.
Once again thanks for your points...
Well IMHO it's got to be venting? And yes if you lossen the cap you will get all sorts of vapours and won't be able to drive with windows open. Of course there won't be any thing comming up on diagnostics.she sounds like she runs well? I will check out on xkec forum sure thre were issues with pipes causing cutting out if idling to long ,I now this is not your fault but may be linked .
i dont know these cars at all, but on older jags they used to have pressure relief valves in the fuel system to alleviate issues like this.
fuel systems do work under pressure, so there has to be some way to control that pressure. which appears to be not working on yours
agree, your best bet is to go with a recognized independent specialist. IMO, main dealers are next to useless for fixing difficult issues like this. do a internet search for a specialist nearby to you.
fuel systems do work under pressure, so there has to be some way to control that pressure. which appears to be not working on yours
agree, your best bet is to go with a recognized independent specialist. IMO, main dealers are next to useless for fixing difficult issues like this. do a internet search for a specialist nearby to you.
Thanks RobertXKR and naki, points appreciated.
Triple7 'The car runs fantastic...and his pristine condition.
The point that I would like to make is how does a fuel tank on a car of this spec and value, 100% serviced and looked after by Jguar, end up in such a dangerous condition, my wife and daughter avoid travelling in vehicle after they were terrified, when I ended up with a boot full of fuel..it was a red hot day, with shoppers all around, had I opened the boot smoking, god knows what would have happened..
Jaguar customer service insist that its 'the age of the car..and nothing to do with them..So, how about some type of saftey feature to stop this happening, I was told by a member of staff at the Jaguar dealership, that this has happened once before on another XKR but he was in fear of losing his job, if I was to quote him..I have had two other Jags by the way..with no problems.
Triple7 'The car runs fantastic...and his pristine condition.
The point that I would like to make is how does a fuel tank on a car of this spec and value, 100% serviced and looked after by Jguar, end up in such a dangerous condition, my wife and daughter avoid travelling in vehicle after they were terrified, when I ended up with a boot full of fuel..it was a red hot day, with shoppers all around, had I opened the boot smoking, god knows what would have happened..
Jaguar customer service insist that its 'the age of the car..and nothing to do with them..So, how about some type of saftey feature to stop this happening, I was told by a member of staff at the Jaguar dealership, that this has happened once before on another XKR but he was in fear of losing his job, if I was to quote him..I have had two other Jags by the way..with no problems.
AFAIK the X350 has a carbon cannister and purge valve. My understanding is that this will operate at a certain RPM to vent the tank to the air via a carbon cannister (that eliminates fuel vapour) to equalise the pressure in the tank.
As fuel is used up the tank suffers from negative pressure build up, I believe the purge valve is used to equalise this. Other cars (maybe older ones ?) have a simpler vent pipe to do the same job.
If the purge valve isnt working, the carbon cannister is blocked or the pipework is fouled you wont get pressure equalisation and the tank will try to implode. This is the popping you can hear as the tank deforms.
Not experienced this on my Jag but on my TVR if the system isnt working properly the alloy tank makes some very loud bangs as it changes shape. There is also a very audible hiss when opening the fuel filler as the pressure equalises. Do you get a hiss of air entering the tank when you remove the fuel cap ?
ETA ask the question here http://www.jaguarforum.co.uk/f32/
ETA2 - Not sure if the Jag has a single carbon cannister but here's the blurb - suggests that maybe you have a stuck valve or maybe a vacuum problem.
Single Canister System
This system uses a single charcoal canister with a pressure control valve between the canister and the fuel tank rollover valve. Pressure control valve is controlled by engine vacuum. When engine is off, pressure control valve is closed, maintaining a slight pressure in fuel tank. Any pressure increase causes the valve to open and release vapor to the canister. When engine is running, manifold vacuum holds the valve open. This maintains atmospheric pressure within the tank and allows vapor to flow to the canister.
As fuel is used up the tank suffers from negative pressure build up, I believe the purge valve is used to equalise this. Other cars (maybe older ones ?) have a simpler vent pipe to do the same job.
If the purge valve isnt working, the carbon cannister is blocked or the pipework is fouled you wont get pressure equalisation and the tank will try to implode. This is the popping you can hear as the tank deforms.
Not experienced this on my Jag but on my TVR if the system isnt working properly the alloy tank makes some very loud bangs as it changes shape. There is also a very audible hiss when opening the fuel filler as the pressure equalises. Do you get a hiss of air entering the tank when you remove the fuel cap ?
ETA ask the question here http://www.jaguarforum.co.uk/f32/
ETA2 - Not sure if the Jag has a single carbon cannister but here's the blurb - suggests that maybe you have a stuck valve or maybe a vacuum problem.
Single Canister System
This system uses a single charcoal canister with a pressure control valve between the canister and the fuel tank rollover valve. Pressure control valve is controlled by engine vacuum. When engine is off, pressure control valve is closed, maintaining a slight pressure in fuel tank. Any pressure increase causes the valve to open and release vapor to the canister. When engine is running, manifold vacuum holds the valve open. This maintains atmospheric pressure within the tank and allows vapor to flow to the canister.
Edited by Dodsy on Friday 11th January 16:34
I remember reading somewhere about faults with the vapour purge system on either the jag forum or XKEC, this was much less catastrophic and the symptoms were a clicking noise the sounded like it was coming from the front nearside especially when the weather was cold. I may be worth searching for as a point to investigate
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