FUEL ODOR 96 Jaguar XJ6/4.0

EAZYEFRANCIS

MEMBER
1996 JAGUAR XJ6

Ok I have a 1996 jaguar xj6-V6 4.0 engine with mileage of 96089. This car runs great and has been take care of with all the service that was needed at the correct time. My problem is that for the last couple of month we have began to smell fuel odors inside the car. Its not always but often enough. Sometimes it gets strong and other times it is mild. I have tried checking everything but have found nothing when I looked at the tank. What could this be if I can ask. Thankyou

1 Reply

ROTORY-POWER

MEMBER
9 POSTS

Hi, I'm no pro at this, but here are a couple suggestions to start in case nobody else chimes in.

DO NOT top off the fuel tank when filling up. I live in Oregon (1 of the 2 states where they don't trust us to pump our own gas) and I can't stand it when the attendant askes if I want him to top it off (which I think is against Oregon DEQ laws anyway). I have an '88 XJ6 and the pump shuts off when it is almost too full. One time an attendant overfilled the tank trying to "top it off" and I smelled gas for the next 50 miles. If you can still smell fuel at a half-tank or days later then this probably isn't your problem. Also, on some cars the fuel can even spill into the charcoal cannister and ruin it if it is overfilled. I recently learned this with a 2007 Pontiac G6 that I had where the charcoal cannister is located right next to the fuel tank. The charcoal cannister is meant to filter the fuel vapors so it may just be time to replace it (again, I'm no pro at this, just making a suggestion).

You may also want to check all of the fuel lines for leaks, especially at the fuel filter where they are more frequently tampered with (if you haven't changed the filter in a great while this would be a good time for that as well).

Anyway, good luck! If none of that works make sure to come back and let us know and maybe a real tech. Can give you some better ideas!