Jaguar Repair: Car Smell, charcoal canister, vent system

Question
Thank you for all your great answers! I have a 1985 XJ6 that has a funky smell. It is kind of a gas/oil/old smell. Is there something I can do for this.

Thanks, Niki

Answer
Hi Niki,
I wish there was a magic adjustment to go to for a smell but there is not. So the only thing you can do is start searching. I can tell you a few things to look at.
First is the smell noticeable with the windows closed? If so you need to check the fire wall for any open holes and when just after driving and you open either gas cap does it have a strong rush of air come out? If not then the pressurized tank vent system may have a leak somewhere. Unfortunately that vent system has much of the piping and connections under the tray at the rear window.

If the system is pressurized it may be coming from the right front wheel well outside and if you open a window on the right side of the car it can come into the car there. If your AC is not working (common) and you are opening windows to keep cool you can do this, Open the sun roof about 3 inches and run the right rear window down about 3 inches and that makes the air enter by the sun roof and exit by the rear window.
There is nothing you can do about the fumes coming from the right front wheel well because that is where the tanks vent. You may replace the charcoal canister which may or may not help.

One more thing, run the car on a clean piece of pavement for about 5 minutes and quickly move the car and look for signs of a fuel leak and examine the engine compartment carefully for any signs of a fuel leak. Oil leaks will not usually smell unless they leak down on the exhaust.
Howard