I noticed common gas smell in 1978 Daimler Sovereign, 1975 Jaguar XJ6C and 1982 Jaguar XJ6 boot lids.......is it common in your XJ models? It happens after driving one of them for a while and I open the boot lid, gas smell seems to come out. I could not figure where the "fumes" come from. Can you offer explanation? Many thanks.
David Brown and friend Steve Cavalieri
Submitted by hhrrmatthewj.m… on Sat, 03/31/2012 - 17:49
Submitted by davalanbrow@att.net on Thu, 03/08/2012 - 01:37
Gas Fumes(?) in boot lid normal?
1978 Daimler Sovereign gas tanks were taken out & cleaned then recoated last summer. Maybe the top gas cap rubbers are not doing the job of keeping fumes in? hopefully I can find the source of invisible leaks. Thanks for the tip. Thumbs up.
Submitted by dougdwyer1@com… on Wed, 03/07/2012 - 23:50
Gas Fumes(?) in boot lid normal?
Common, but not normal.
Tracing the source/sources can be tricky as even the slighest oozing of raw fuel can create a big odor in the confines of the boot.
Sometimes the tanks themselves leak...usually pinholes from rust. There's the multitude of hose connections. Fuel pump and changeover valves can leak. Some models have condensation cannisters in the roof C-pillars and associciatd pipes.
One trick I was taught is to wrap suspect joints or hoses in colored tissue paper. Even a trace a raw gas will discolor the paper.
I don't have a snappy answer. I'm afraid you'll just have to start digging.....and be prepared to find more than one leak source.
Even after you fix the leaks the boot trim/carpeting will need a through scrubbing as the odor will linger on for ages if you clean it.
Cheers
DD
My '72 XJ-6 has the same odor, i kind of like it. But seriously, change all lengths of fuel hose and replace all old clamps. I did this and even replaced the stock fuel pump with another brand electric pump which pumped at a higher pressure. I still had the problem even with new tanks, i came to the conclusion that it was the glass fuel filter. use your nose, let the boot air out for a while and get right in there and start sniffing. Oh and put out your cigarette first.