Back in December I posted a note asking about the insulation pad under the hood of my 05/XJ8L, because it was falling apart.
Trying to find one wasn't a problem, but the cost was a concern---$260 and above for a dealer replacement. Looking around I located one that would have to come from England in 7 - 10 days, at a much more reasonable figure. Almost a hundred bucks more reasonable.
My contact was a JCNA advertiser-- SNG BARRATT GROUP, a Mr William Wiggleswort.
The part arrived as promised in a hudge carboard box the size of the cars hood. When I opened it, I noted that the part was not like what was on the car, missing the tabs that went into the slots in the hood etc. The only thing I could think of doing was to trim the insulator as best I could to have it fit correctly. Doing this was something I had to ponder for a while.
After a week or so, I took the new insulator to a friend who was going to help me lay it all out and help in the trimming. So after a couple of glasses of sweet tea (we like it sweet in Florida), we popped the hood and held it up to the hood for measurement and low and behold, it fit the hood like a glove, eleminating the tabs and everything else the old insulator had.
Using the old plastic fastners, it was mounted. It was even molded to eleminate the old rubber sealers. I was a happy camper.
We closed the hood, sat back down and had a couple of additional drinks. This time the type you have to pop a top to get too.
SNG Barratt has a new customer--thanks William.
Garfield
05/XJ8L