11.5 - Fuel Non-Return Valve ( ,  )

How to replace the non-return valve on the fuel pump. Always take standard safety precautions when dealing with petrol.

Symptoms :

Car may take a few turns of the engine to start. This is more noticeable when the engine is warm.

No fuel pressure left in the fuel rail when the engine is off.

Fix :

Jaguar part is about $37 and fits into the fuel pump. The fuel pump is located on the rear chassis.

Relieve fuel pressure (in case the old one is not totally shot!)

Disconnect battery.

Jack rear left hand side. Put car on axle stands. Remove left hand wheel.

You should be able to follow fuel line back to the fuel filter (just forward of the wheel arch) and then to the fuel pump which is behind wheel arch.

Get new valve ready with new copper washer on smaller end. Place container to catch petrol below pump.

Original valves required 17mm spanner. Fuel hose requires 19mm spanner. New valve required 19mm spanner.

There is a hex bolt or similar fitting off to the side of the fuel line where it enters the pump. You can use this to hold the pump and stop it turning in its bracket.

Loosen fuel line. Holding the non return valve to prevent it rotating. Undo enough to get it loose then do it up again finger tight to stem the fuel flow (if any). Now hold pump body and loosen the non return valve.

No go back and remove fuel hose. You will still have to hold valve or it will probably unscrew instead.

Don't worry if you see something fall out of the end. You can place pipe up on spring and it won't push out too much petrol. However, valve end will by now be spewing petrol all over the place. Plug end. Hopefully, because you have already loosened it you will be able to unscrew the valve by hand (it's a bit tight to get your hand in so a "dry run" may be in order)

As soon as it's out, drop it and pick up the new one to stem the flow of petrol. The new one WILL stop the petrol coming out as soon as you have a couple of turns made.

Tighten up valve, holding pump body to stop rotation. Then re-attach fuel hose etc.

The purpose of loosening the valve is so that you don't have to spend time trying to undo the valve with fuel leaking out.

The bits that might fall out of the valve is a spring and ball which form the old non-return valve.