Q & A
Jaguar World's technical advice service
Diesel Smell
QMylow mileage 2.7D S-Type (58k miles on the clock) and I cover about 8k per annum.
About 12 months ago, an intermittent fault started and so far, three garages have failed to diagnose the problem.
It seems to occur in cold weather before the car is warmed up. Heavier than normal exhaust fumes are produced (reaching the front of the car) and there is a strong smell of diesel, often very noticeable within the passenger compartment. Any ideas as to what it may be?
We believe the problem you are experiencing is simple – but unusual! The S-Type diesel is fitted with a fuel fired heater whose purpose in life is to quickly raise the temperature of the engine coolant. It is located below the lefthand headlight and only activates below a certain ambient temperature (around 4 degrees C.)
When the heater is running it emits exhaust gases which drift up from the wheelarch and get drawn into the vehicle’s interior by the heater motor via the scuttle intake. A pair of Technical Bulletins have been issued on the matter: the first details a reprogramming process that alters the strategy of heater operation, such that, when the heater is running, the re-circulation flap closes off, preventing airflow from the exterior for the first 10 minutes.
The other reveals how to re-jet the burner to remedy excess fuel smells. Many independent specialists will have access to these bulletins. Problem solved – hopefully!
Alarming XK8
QI’m having a problem with the alarm
on my 2005 4.2 XK8: In a gust of wind, a rain or hail downpour, or anything of the kind will set it off. It doesn’t make any difference whether I lock it with the key or the fob. I would appreciate any suggestions you may have that could sort it out.
AWe could suggest keeping it in a locked garage, but possibly there are more helpful solutions! The alarm has numerous modes of activation via its various sensors; to locate the culprit by trial and error is likely to prove both time consuming and expensive.
Employment of a diagnostic device such as Autologic or the factory SDD system will facilitate interrogation of the security and locking module
