The first job i started on the 250 is what I hope to be the worst job.
I have spent the first two days trying to free off the scuttle vent, what the hell is the point of this it has to be the hardest job on the car and for what?
it took an hour or so just to get the vent lid off to find nothing can be seen of the seized hinge so I then dropped down the centre of the dash only to find that its double skinned and no sign of the offending hinge. I can sort of move the brackets but they just spring back again. Iv'e probably used a couple of can of wd but I still cant tell if I sprayed the right place.
anyone on here had any success with this job?
p.s how do you access the screen washer jets??
Steve.

 

Drill out the spot welds and replace the hinge. good luck

 

That's a little bit simplistic, from what side? The vent side or inside the dash?
I still cant even see the hinge.
thanks for reply though.
Steve.

 

Ok Steve--we have only done it a few times---best of luck. In your picture the spot welds are evident!

 

BTW you drill from the outside!

 

On the S Type the control of the vent is with a vacuum switch unlike yours and the Mk2 that has the lever under the dash arrangement. Mine was not totally seized but very stiff and the only thing you can do is spray loads of WD40 into the area you thing the hinge is and force the hinge back and forth until it comes loose.
The washer jets can only be got to from behind the dash so it is a dash out job and even then you have to pretend you are a vet dealing with a pregnant cow to get your hand through the hole to the base of the jet where there is a metal wing nut that you pray has not rusted itself into place.

 

This hinge is buried !! I started with a bare shell, so was easily able to free it off using WD40 then a squirt of oil. There is no provision for regular lubrication at all ! If/when you strip the dash out, it might well be worth it installing some means of lubing it remotely via some tube or other

 

If hinge is badly stuck replace it by drilling out.

See here for sorting the entire scuttle vent mechanism.

https://valvechatter.com/?cat=718

Screen jets are accessed from under the dash & held on by wingnuts.

 

Thank you Glyn---if you wish it fixed correctly drill it out and replace the hinge! When it is working correctly it is a very positive opening and closing--

 

I get confused by Mk2, S type & year. Some are spot welded & Lin's units are screwed under the outer rubber lid seal.

Outer seal orientation that many query: Tacky old original.

 

Newer cars moved to diamond mesh on the scuttle vent.

 

Bit of news today, although I forgot to take photo's, I managed to drill out the three screws holding the front flap on and take it off and clean and repaint it.
I then went inside the car and tried once again to move the air flap, to my delight it actually moved! and after oiling it again and working it back and forth for about 15 mins it now appears to work normally with the flap lever.
Steve.

 

That is good news. It's when you break the hinge pin trying to free it that you are really in trouble.

Once you are happy that it is reliably free suggest you dry all excess oil off of the hinge & give it a smear of grease. That will keep it lubed for a lot longer than oil and provide some sealing.