Secrets of the Jaguar xk8 Ep37 'HEADLIGHT SPECIAL Pt 2, Removing the glass and restoring the lamp.

[@mistermikeanson]

If there were Oscars for XK8 repair videos, this would surely win one! Very nicely explained with plenty of clear pictures. Looking forward to seeing it back in the car!

[@ToTheGarage]

Mike Anson awwww🤗 Thanks Mike I really appreciate that. Part 3 should be out by Monday. (Possibly today if my upload speed holds out!👍 )

[@graemeanderson4057]

Well done John. I have the same problem with my XKR, the light has been out twice (all 3 fixing points were broken before I stared), trying to fix the condensation. Ended up with the lens half of the light floating in the bath like a little boat. It sank after about 5 minutes, there was so much water getting in. Turns out the glass was not attached the the plastic from the inner edge, all the way along the bottom and half way up the outer edge. Both lights were the same.checked an other couple of XK8's at the club the next week and they were also the same. Also noted on an episode of Grand tour they had an XK8 in America and by the time they were finished with it the glass had completely fallen off the left hand light. I have glued mine with a fish tank bonding silicon, figuring if it is strong and flexible enough to hold a 300l tank together, it should be ok with a headlight. Still getting a little condensation but much better than it was. I'm sure it's about £300 for a new lens only, hate to think what the entire light would cost.

[@ToTheGarage]

Hi Graeme. I will try filling up the old lens with water to see if mine was badly sealed glass to plastic as well. Good idea👍👍. Entire lights are about £700🥺 My Fix shown in Part 3 might complement your solution and clear it up🤞

[@gerardbooth40]

Great solution Graeme. I don’t usually use my XK in the wet but following a very soggy excursion last weekend I now have a misted headlamp 😟. I’ve tried to obtain the seal for the glass as a stand alone part, so far without success. I reckon the fish tank adhesive might be the solution for me. Thanks!

[@stephendavies6949]

I always love your attention to detail John… It gives me - a rank amateur/novice - the confidence and information to have a go!

[@cairoabel2068]

Sorry to be so offtopic but does someone know of a method to log back into an instagram account..? I was stupid lost the password. I appreciate any tips you can give me!

[@hendrixhayes7098]

@Cairo Abel instablaster :)

[@stephendavies6949]

Always entertaining and interesting viewing too

[@larrylishman6038]

Very nice presentation!

[@ToTheGarage]

Thank you very much!

[@harryscott1445]

Hi John, Nicely done. You're right on prices...£200.00 second hand IS a good deal.....with no guarantee of long term success......

[@chrisrand5185]

Hi John Great video which has given me the confidence to tackle mine on my 2001 XK8. The offside light has never steamed up, but the nearside one slowly fills with water. I have taken it apart and noticed that it does not include the drain slot you highlighted, so I think I am going to have to put the Jaguar fix vent in using a mini irrigation T piece. I will also use silicone grease on the seal. Despite the water sitting inside the unit, the silvering is still in very good condition.

[@ToTheGarage]

Glad it helped. Would be great to see a photo if/when you do that mod Chris👍

[@Dave-in-France]

Hello John, Dave here from France & proud Jaguar XJ x358 owner. What a totally excellent series of videos these are !!! Only just found your channel but subscribed straightaway. I really like the clarity & detail of your descriptions and am wondering if you do anything for my car, as I'm sure I would benefit greatly if you have ? Cheers Dave

[@ToTheGarage]

Hi David Nothing at the moment as I have never owned one. However! maybe I should🤔. But then again I love the X308 as well and have never owned one of them. What do you get to the gallon from yours and is it a sensible daily driver? Have you owned an X308?

[@rasmussolberg1677]

Really appreciate these videos! Been watching since i bought my XK8 in December 2018. AND I definitely want to see a video of you spraying that old lens into a black XKR lens. Thats a mod I would like to do on my own car for sure. Best of luck!

[@ToTheGarage]

OK rasmus. Keep watching. It will happen. Just have to find time to get around to it

[@hunty28]

Hi John, my white plastic vent wasn’t there when I took my headlight out this week (17 mins into your video). Looked for a replacement but nobody knew about them and it’s not shown in 02 drawings - turns out that whilst my lights have the slit it sits in it’s blanked off in the black moulding. I suspect as it didn’t work it was deleted from newer cars (mine is 02). Dave

[@ToTheGarage]

Wow. Excellent intel Dave. Thanks so much for sharing.👍👍

[@MitchGrooms]

Incredible video, never knew this could happen. I am going to post a video of my disaster Jaguar story today.

[@ToTheGarage]

Thats my tea time viewing sorted then Mitch👍

[@joergflato3558]

In the beginning of this video you explain how to open the clips by heating up the plastic latches. What kind of plastic is it? Can you glue it or can you repair a crack, i.e. by melting the pastic with a soldering iron?

[@bernardpullon4632]

I'm watching this and thoroughly enjoying it, coming to the conversation 18 months late obviously but I'd be interested to know if you were refitting the leveller to both sides (as a part of, say, replacing lens on both sides), would you need to calibrate them so they're both at the same point for the motors/inside control to adjust them evenly. I guess the answer is yes but I wonder if it makes a difference whether or not you fit them all the way in or out or in the middle (which would be harder to calibrate evenly). I'd be asking you that 18 months ago , my how time flies when you're oblivious. Thanks again John.

[@ToTheGarage]

Interesting Question Bernard🤔. I have just set them the same as each other when refitting but I suspect that if you set them at opposite ends of their range then after cycling through the full range of movement a couple of times, that they. would self correct. I genuinely don't know though👍

[@sedeborn1]

Hello John Thanks for a very good program . It has really helped me out many times I live in Sweden and spare parts is hard to find here Do you have recommendation to find good spare part to my XKR 2012 thanks for help

[@roylythgoe8537]

Hi John, I have a problem with my 2004 XKR Dip headlight bulbs, I was trying replace the offside so bought a new one and the plug does not fit as there seems to be a bit of extra plastic inside the socket stopping the plug going in, So in desperation took nearside bulb out and looked at, It appears to be D1S tthe new one D3S so im looking three different bulbs in front of me, not sure where I go from here, Had the car a fortnight and not been out in it for a descent drive yet, Sorry to lay this on you John you take care. regards Royston.

[@williamwinn9160]

Hello, John. I don't know if you are still replying to these questions, but are the headlight assemblies without washers interchangeable with headlight assemblies with washers? Thank you for taking the time and effort to make this series. Cheers from Michigan!

[@ToTheGarage]

Hi William. You can fit a non washer headlamp but would have to remove the washer mechanism as it would try to push through the non existent hatch on the new lens

[@williamwinn9160]

@@ToTheGarage Thanks for the reply, John. I just finished replacing my broken headlight with a used one without washer. Went pretty well. When I went to tighten the 40mm bolt down below, the metal female threaded part broke out of the headlight housing (just like the one I took out). Everything is solid, though. We shall see. Thanks again for the videos.

[@renequintanilla4815]

Where can I purchase the seal(gasket)? I'm from the USA. Thanks!

[@pymt]

Have you come across anyone restoring/cleaning with 2012 XKR headlights?

[@francoisbonnin4396]

A hair dryer 👍 ...It's not the first time you use one but I don't have this kind of reflex as I'm almost bold and single 😆

[@mrs.tiffiniporter5244]

My headlight was just damaged in a hit and run in a parking lot. Great video!!

[@ToTheGarage]

Sorry to hear that. Glad you liked the video though Tiffini

[@DJmarkanthonyofficial]

Hi John I’m refurbishing repainting my headlights I’ve found the perfect chrome paint to repaint it it’s from REVELL Chrome spray 150ml just under £30 and it’s mirror chrome perfect for headlights Check it out you will be amazed

[@IzanAzman948]

Maybe you can restore the chrome finish using this process. kzbin.info/www/bejne/mWqQqHmKis2jipY. Lovely XK8 you got there,

[@ToTheGarage]

Thanks Izan I have been looking at that system and a few others. I keep hoping to find something cheaper and easier. Nothing so far though.