Hey, I’ve solved my duckbill issue. And without lowering the transmission or taking the dash apart! I found a third way.

I started the day by climbing under, to find out what it would take to lower the transmission or if I could get to the duckbill without lowering the trans. So removed a shield and 2 wires and had a look with a camera, and later tried to get up there with a bent coat hanger. I soon found this was not an easy way to go, I would have to lower the trans and since most of the space constraints were on the side of the trans, not the top, it would have to go down a lot. And looking at exhaust, brackets, wires etc, phew, not something I had the energy to start on.

But I had noticed one good thing with the camera, namely that the hole in the chassis where the duckbill is placed up into, it was quite near the engine compartment, I had thought it was a lot further back. So I got the idea, I must be able to reach that hole from the engine room. I wish I had got this idea in December when I replaced the valley pipes because then I had all the TBI stuff at the rear of the engine out, so I had space. I did look for it then, but back then I thought the duckbill would be sticking down, I didn’t know it was up in hole in the chassis, so I couldn’t find it.

I removed the 3 parts you see in the picture, and even on a SC model, that’s enough! Standing on a 4” wood block and with a pillow on the windshield not to break it, I can gently get my hand and arm down so far I can reach the hole. And with the middle finger I optimistically stretched all I could, and I could touch the duckbill! I could feel it. If my finger had been 2 mm shorter or my arms a bit more buff, I might not have been able to, but I could. And my fingertip could feel the end of the duckbill and yes the lips were together and didn’t open by my touch.

Then I tried to construct some knives and sharp points to open/cut the duckbill, don’t laugh at my attempts… ;-). After about 5 attempts, I stuck my finger back down and I felt water and lips open! Problem solved! Man, I spent hours worrying about this, didn’t really want to lower a trans or take dash apart.

I realize that the lips may close again, and I will be looking for a better knife/blade than I had. If I could get a blade that’s both pointy and sharp (really sharp) on both sides, I’m sure I can do so much damage to the duckbill that it won’t close again. For now, I’m waiting for a warm day to test what I’ve done. This procedure can be done in one hour…

 

Clever idea! Would it have been easier getting your hand into that tight space if you wore a disposable thin rubber glove coated with Vaseline?

 

No, the size of the hand is not that critical, it's more the corner I have to turn, almost 70-80 degrees so if I could break my lower arm I could get in further. I'm pretty sure it's easier on a NA engine, or if you take the time to remove the TBI stuff, but for me it was not necessary,

 

Tried it but I could only just reach the hole so used my daughter! 😊

 

Her nails look to be just perfect for the job ;-). Did she succeed?

 

Well done. I don't know if you found the other posts when researching but there have been a few people use this method before on this forum and it does seem to be the least hassle route, even on the XKR.

Another guy just reaches in like you did but just lubricates the duckbill with silicon once a year.

This was my favourite finger extension:
https://www.jaguarforums.com/forum/x...7/#post1922950

And for those of you who can't reach you can make one of these:
https://www.jaguarforums.com/forum/x...2/#post1504351

 

OK, won't try to patent it then

I had seen the long tool with the knife, but for me it's the feeling and dexterity of your fingers that make the difference. The finger one, I haven't seen despite seeking for years about this topic, mostly on UK forum though. Here I just thought I'd share...

 

I use other technic see my tuto (sorry is french) HERE

 

I attached a blade to her nail and she cut cut/schred it but it didn't come off. Haven't had a problem since so hopefully solved or I'll have to ask her again. 😊

 

I did this and documented it almost 2 years ago in this thread...

https://www.jaguarforums.com/forum/x...cation-182608/

Great minds think alike... Well done

 

Sorry you had to ‘reinvent the wheel’, but congrats on getting it done!

 

So many jokes. So little time....

 

Well done that took determination the way your daughter was on to of the engine that was same as me doing the super charged oil change on the 5l xkr a right tight spot. hats off

 

Yep, my first thought was "none of my kids love me that much".

 

On a normally aspirated 4.2 XK all I had to do to reach it was open the hood, take the engine cover off, and I had access.

It is easy enough I'm not going to cut it, I'll just disturb it if it ever doesn't want to release again in future.

 

If you are skinny! 😊

 

I received my knife blades and took it apart again, and cut and molested all I could with the blade taped to my finger. Feeling the duckbill afterwards, no way that is going to hold water!

 

Just to confirm, long trip in A/C weather, drips on the ground, carpet bone dry :-)

 

My first thought would get me booted from the forum, so I kept it to myself.

 

That's the best laugh I've had in a long time, just visualizing your finger all greased up with a blade taped to the end, and trying to figure out exactly what you meant when you said "... I kept it to myself." Ouch!