This screw cover is impossible to remove without tearing it up.

 

I took a spare awl I had and bent the tip through 90 degrees to prize these out gracefully.

 

I used a bent tip of an end to one of thsoe circuit tester light things. A pin would work as well, just something you can get behind the blank plate and pull out. Yea it's not a great design though.

 

I endorse the bent awl approach. The trick is to get the point thin enough, then the cover comes out without any damage or difficulty.

As far as poor design goes, this one is not on my radar.

The top spot is the octopus hose arrangement that requires too much disassembly to replace.

Followed in close order are the knock sensors on the XKR models which require the removal of the supercharger in order to service.

Z

 

What also works very well for things like this are dental tools. I know it sounds funny but I bought a couple of these one time from some computer swap meet and there is always some circumstance where these come in handy.

 

I pray that those don't fail on me any time soon. I replaced my valley hoses a few years ago and forgot to replace the knock sensors. It's running fine, but could be on borrowed time.

 

Wait till you do the top hydraulic hoses!

 

A small bladed screwdriver can be bent a bit to get in the slot. It's a small sacrifice for the cause and is often handy for other teensy jobs. It doesn't even have to be bent 90°.

 

A paint can lid opener will also do the job....

 

Those screw covers are apparently considered one-time-use parts by Jaguar, but fortunately they are still available, at least they were when I ordered some late last year.

The two tools I find handy for removal are a 90-degree mechanic's pick similar to what kuddlesworth and zray recommended, and a miniature promotional pry bar from Snap On or Lisle. Both can be found on eBay and Amazon:







Cheers,

Don

 

I use dental picks which I got from Harbor Freight online.

 

Surely you guys can find a worse designed part than this (that costs much more). If this were the worst problem on my car. I would be in wonderland.

 

I second the dental pick approach.