I've started (yet again) the revival/refreshing of my SI OTS after many years of storage ('Jag in a bag'). I remember reading here a few years ago about accessing the windscreen washer nozzles. It involved removing the windscreen and dash assy. Does anyone have a link to such a thread? Is my memory correct? I have a 'factory' manual, but it makes no reference to the task.
Thanks, Ed in Michigan

Submitted by waddypotthoff@… on Thu, 05/13/2010 - 20:27

Again, Patrick, thank you for your very thorough input. It may seem a bit odd to agonize over such a trivial part ( the washer nozzle), but the right side has been missing for as long as I can remember, and it has always bothered me. Now that I'm fully into making my Jaguar road worthy once again, I will not rest until I see my two little 'fountains' flowing again (with the the auto in motion...).
You might appreciate- my grandfather worked for Coventry Climax in early 60s, it was arranged that my father would purchase through U.S. agent, then my mother return to her home (Coventry) to receive the E-Type at the factory, drive it in U.K, for a month, then factory check-up before shipping to U.S. as a used car. Its been in my family since, and we took pride in keeping it original. (I have a loose leaf binder of documentation). I took possession 20 years ago, and put the car in a sealed bag in a heated garage until a few years ago. Life has finally allowed me time and circumstances to fully engage the project. I'm no longer intimidated, but feel more like I'm entering into a relationship. Watch here for questions and progress. Again....
Thank you. Ed

Submitted by SC38-21185J on Tue, 05/11/2010 - 12:09

Entirely my pleasure Ed. Since you really don't want to have to mess with these ever again, you might consider a drop or two of instant ("crazy") glue on the bottom stem of the nozzles when you push on the new tubing. You might also consider a small rubber washer under the wingnut to provide yet a bit more friction to keep them from spinning ever again.

While in the recess, be careful not to foul the windshield wiper mechanism. There is a small adjustable electrical connection on the middle one that you do NOT want to bend. That small knurled knob under the heater hoses on the firewall actually turns a small reostat on the middle wiper assembly to adjust where the wipers "park" when switched off. It is quite fragile and "out in the open" so to speak.

It is through this opening that you would also have to withdrawl the 3 water heater transfer lines, vacuum lines, and wiper mechanisms if you ever fully restored the car. Removing the dash also gives you instant access to the speedo and RPM gages. While it's off, replace ALL of the little turn indicator and gage illumination bulbs!

Patrick

Submitted by waddypotthoff@… on Tue, 05/11/2010 - 11:43

Patrick, thank you very much. I'm fairly mechanically inclined, so your recommendation makes total sense to me. I've been agonizing over those washer nozzles for years, and now its time for human dominance over 'la machine'. Again, I appreciate your input.
Regard, Ed in Michigan

Submitted by SC38-21185J on Tue, 05/11/2010 - 08:39

Ed: Thought I would respond since no one else has. Those small jets are an absoulte PITA to get to. They are basically plastic with a hollow stem, and use a weird wing nut to tighten them down. Your best bet would be to find a midget or a mechanically-inclined child to reach them.

You may or may not be able to reach them with the dash pad off. But certainly, having the pad off allows you to angle you hand a bit more. But you have to go through the small access hole in the middle of your fuse panel to reach them. Might as well replace the tubing as well while there. In fact, I would replace the squirt fittings themselves too. There is a T-fiiting between the two jets.

With the wing nut on the tube, poke the tube up through the hole to allow your pushing on the fitting. Don't forget the small rubber washer under the fitting! Insert the squirt fitting and tighten up the wing nut untill snug...or even a bit past snug. Don't make the mistake of having the adjustment nozzles facing each other; they should both point towards the passenger side if memory serves me.

Removing the dash pad is not all that complicated: a nut on both ends, and a few in the center area. The problem comes with those darn defrost vents. Sometimes the air tubing won't let go, and you have to manually pull them apart. Slipping them back on is yet another pain.

You'll have to decide if replacing these nozzles are worth the trouble. I wish Jag had done a better design on these, or, put the squirt nozzles on the wiper blades.

Good luck.