1989 Jaguar Vanden Plas Engine stalls on longer trips

CHILDSGJ

MEMBER
1989 JAGUAR VANDEN PLAS
6 CYL
2WD
AUTOMATIC
157,000 MILES

I can drive the VDP for an hour and a half, park it for a couple of hours and then about half an hour into the return journey the car will stall - it will require about 15 minutes and I can get it to start again, it will run for a few miles and stall again. Basically I have to limp home using this process. Once it stalls it will occasionally start but it will run Very rough and the revs will drop from 2000 down to 0 over a 30 second period, no mater what I try. Short journeys are no problem, this only happens on longer trip. Any ideas? Thanks. Greg.

3 Replies

SERVICE WRITER

MECHANIC
9,123 POSTS

Testing needs to be done while the symptoms are present.
Get the no start to occur and test.

Things I would first check is for a loss of spark with a spark tester.

And check fuel pressure for it's spec.

Post what you find.

Using a hair dryer you may be able to apply heat to a copmponent to induce symptoms....if it is heat related.

Site of interest:
https://www.2carpros.com/makes/jaguar

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Thursday, October 8th, 2009 AT 7:33 AM

CHILDSGJ

MEMBER
2 POSTS

If I just leave it running in the driveway is it likely to get hot enough? Everytime I drive it long distance it always breaks down in an area that I can not work on it - i.E. Side of Interstate, etc.

Also, would a new fuel filter be worth trying - as I haven't changed it since I have owned the car.

I will try to put myself in a position where I can replicate the symtom safely, test it and reply.

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Thursday, October 8th, 2009 AT 2:55 PM

SERVICE WRITER

MECHANIC
9,123 POSTS

No doubt that planning the anticipated breakdown time it key. I would try to plan the testing right after my longest trip that week if not beyond the anticipated failure point. Take tools LOL. And maybe let it idle afterwards if the symptom isn't present.

Do you know the last time the fuel filter has been changed? IF not. Better get a real good look at the service schedule on what else has been missed.

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Thursday, October 8th, 2009 AT 6:40 PM