Regarding the impossible-to-remove-and-replace factory hole covers located at the bottom-inside of the quarter panels below the tanks, and which cover the Tank Drain Bolts, I decided to resolve the problem and now have OUTSIDE FITTING hole plugs which fit flush with the quarter panels and can be removed and refitted from outside the panels.

while testing the plugs I discovered that some cars have two hole sizes, and this is true in all the XJ Series from 1 to 3. Some cars have a larger hole, some have a smaller hole. Some cars have a mix of one smaller hole panel and one larger hole panel, if the panel has been replaced at some point.

the below pictures show the final mod and the outside fitting plugs.

If anyone is interested in a pair of these plugs, contact me via PM. I ordered 30 pair of these plugs, 15 in one size, 15 in the other. You need to measure both hole openings as accurately as possible.

Hi Jose,
This is very clever. I have been looking for these for quite a number of years. I could not find them anywhere. I had the same response from several suppliers: No longer available. How do I go about purchasing a pair of these plugs from you? They are to fit a 1986 XJ6 S111. There is only one large hole under each panel and they both measure 2 1/2 inches. in diameter.
Thank you,
Gerard.

hi Gerard,
I will send you a pm. I am still waiting for the 2½" plugs, had to special order them so they fit tight and won't fall off. should have them in about 2 weeks.

Jose


Let me know when they arrive... will take two of them... great find.
Will be out of the state from 10/5-10/15 but will check in often.

!! I didn't even know those holes originally had plugs!!
I suppose I should have, being a Jaguar after all.
Anyway, I'll take 2 (two) of the 2-1/2 inch plugs, thank you, Jose.
PM on the way.
(';')

hi Roger & LnrB,

please measure both holes, it's going to take either 2-1/4" inch (2.25") or 2½" inch
(2.50") plugs.

some cars might have one of each size as it happened with another car in California. (maybe one of the panels was replaced, I don't know).

my 1984 has 2½" holes on both panels.

yes they all came with inside-mounted plugs that were glued with a little contact cement at the factory so they wouldn't move during installation of the panel;

the factory plugs were then kept in place by a piece of foam placed between the drain bolt head and the top rear of the plug, pressuring the plug against the panel hole.

when you wanted to drain the tanks, you had to pry up and push the plugs out of the way to get to the drain bolt head.

but once you pushed the plugs out of the way, you could not get them back in place unles you removed the bumper blade and the panel, so people gave up, too much hassle, and ended with an open hole where insects and rodents take residence, not to mention collecting water when driving in rain, causing the bottom of the tanks to start rusting and also creating mildew or mold inside the panel where any humidity remains.

Jose and others favoring the plugs:


In my past career, I learned a lot about water intrusion and the issues caused. Rot and rust!!! Folks "in the know" had a mantra, "keep it out get it out or both".
As with stucco. In natural form, it is not impervious to water ! The trades learned the import of "weeps" at the base. Then, came sealants. But, the "weeps" still needed. Windows use them. hence the need to mount level. O'wise one side is overwhelmed and the other high' and dry, sorta. Scuppers on a flat roof. clear or the best of roofs will succumb to ponded water.


Yeah, when I was ready to refire my repowered Jaguar, I wanted fresh fuel. Not om mention, I had just "tanked up" before the DOHC 6 went "bonkers".


I pried those covers out. Hard to begin with and more so by the passage of time.
Destroyed both!!!


So, to the point, I chose the option of leaving them open. true enough water can get in. But, it can also get out easily. So far so good.


Caveat: To each his/her own true here as well..


Nice though to have an option.


Carl

Carl,

I believe you when you say that you destroyed the original factory plugs while removing them, maybe Jaguar didn't anticipate that the tanks' drain bolts would need to be accessed?

that's why I worked a solution, because I prefer to keep water, insects, and rodents out, spiders especially, I suffer from arachnophobia.

Odd:


My daughter claims a fear of the "spidey's". It is a real thing. but, as far as I know, and that might not be far, there are only a couple that pose a danger to mammals along with other critters. O'wise they devour fleas, ticks, mites, bed bugs, etc.
I say a web or two is a good thing to have... Just don't mess with them!!!


Jaguar think. Not going to need the drain plugs. Oh well, just in case. Oh, let's make them "different", two piece. Access. Probably not needed. Oh,oh, the valnces have holes. plug 'em. No need to use a removable plug to access what doesn't need to exist, much less be accessed readily......


Too much Single malt????


Carl


..

Hi Jose, count me in for 2 sets, will measure and PM after dinner.

EDIT: both holes come up at 62mm which is approx 2.44" so I'm assuming 2 1/2".

got it Clarke. Have you in the list already.

When I had to do some welding work in this area, I left the plugs off when reassembling, as I couldn't see any point in having them there.

Jose, I'll take 2 of the 2.50" when you get them....PM sent.

Jose and Jim,
If it works out better for you guys they can be posted with mine and I can forward them to Jim overnight post when thy arrive. Will save on extra postage for you Jim, I'm assuming two or three sets will cost the same to post .

Jose, payment sent today.

ok, I will do that assuming Jim agrees. Let me know via PM.

That sounds great Clarke....PMs sent to you and Jose.

Jose..payment sent today.

ok, got it, so your two plugs will go with Clarke's four plugs? (just to keep my brain clear here).

hello all,

I have put my XJ-6 mods and tips at a new website; A few mods are for sale, the rest are free tips of problem-solving mods or improvements I've done to my own XJ.

I am building the pages as quickly as possible. There is a Contact page if you want to contact me.

here's the link to the site:

Jag Upgrades Home

check it out and if you have any suggestions, let me know, Thanks.

Jose:


Slick, I marked it for reference.


Thanks


Carl