XJ6 series one problem - possible water in my gas tank?

Here is a picture of the fuel drain after the plastic/rubber plug has been removed. This is in the lower valence behind the rear wheel. Pictured is the right side. There is a small bolt inside a large plug. You can remove the small bolt for slower draining or remove the large plug for a fast flush (be prepared for a lot of fuel).

Joe, there's a rubber plug in the rear fender under the tank area, pry it out. Then unscrew the brass plug making sure you have something big to catch what's in there........

Edited on 2010-01-07 11:45:45

Did you have the same problem/symptoms Robert? Was the answer water in fuel tank?
thks, Joe

Thanks John. I'm going to try to empty the tank and cross my fingers. Is that normally considered a job easy enough for a new classic Car oqwner with very little mechanical skills? I do have the manual for the model I own, so I'lllook up (draining the gas tank).
Joe

Dejavue.

Thks George. I can only use the passenger side gas tank - the driver side tank needs to be refurbished (?). so I'm not sure about the other tank yet. That said, I was told by the previous pwner that the driver-sode tank was recently refurbished and should be "like new". I plan to use one tank until the Spring when I may hhave a few extra dollasrs to fix the other tank.
As you may have figured out, I'm new to the Classic Car scene. I picked this car up because it ran pretty good and is in good condition (bodywise). I thought it would be a good car to start with. I just wish I could drive it! It's looking like I bought a car that needs a lot more work than I originally thought (and was told by the previous owner). I'm still hopeful though.

Water in the fuel supply usually doesn't cause backfires. Th usual symptoms are stumbling and loss of power across the complete rev range or just plain not running. As George said, you might want to look at carbs and timing. Specifically, I think I would check out the mechanical advance mechanism inside the distributor. The advance can get gummed up with old lubricant after all this time causing it to stick. Should it have been included in a "major tune-up"? That depends on your definition. With old cars - especially old Jaguars - a major tune-up can easily slip into a complete restoration (-;

Of course, you could still have water in the fuel as well. Drain and refill with fresh gasoline and see what you get.

Thks George. I can only use the passenger side gas tank - the driver side tank needs to be refurbished (?). so I'm not sure about the other tank yet. That said, I was told by the previous pwner that the driver-sode tank was recently refurbished and should be "like new". I plan to use one tank until the Spring when I may hhave a few extra dollasrs to fix the other tank.
As you may have figured out, I'm new to the Classic Car scene. I picked this car up because it ran pretty good and is in good condition (bodywise). I thought it would be a good car to start with. I just wish I could drive it! It's looking like I bought a car that needs a lot more work than I originally thought (and was told by the previous owner). I'm still hopeful though.

Joe the question would be how much water is in the tank--if enough to be picked up by the pump you need to drain off the water--You need not drain the tanks completely as the water will be at the bottom. Get a large pan and a probe and open the plug--if it has not been opened in a while you may have to lightly probe the hole to allow flow--let it run until you are running petrol. If you are sure the tune up was preformed and all is well then suspect the pumps (fuel). Does the car act the same way on both tanks?

Thanks George. If it has something to do with the Carb or timing should that have been addressed during the "major tuneup"? My mechaninc said he did more than just a regular tuneup he said "full" tune-up.

I added two bottles of Dry gas ( a brand of) and let thhe car run for ten minutes (to get the liquid in the system and mixed with the gas in the tank). It started out OK, but began to sputter and backfire again after a ten minutes then stalled twice. Mind you the temp gage still showed very cold so it may hhave not warmed enough. I also had the choke wide open the whole time I was in the car again for about ten minutes. Question: does it take a tank or tow full of gas to rid the car of any water/moisture if this is in fact the problem?

Thanks for your advice.
Joe

Joe the tanks have a drain and I would start by checking there--if water and gunk come out flush the tanks--but the tach jumping and the backfire suggest timing and carb issues.