X150 XKR, water in footwell

[8bit]

So I was all smug thinking my 5.0 XKR would never suffer the well-known "duck-bill" issue (named after the A/C condensate drain pipe which used to be shaped like a duck's bill and water leaks back into the passenger footwell) since the issue was supposed to be fixed around the time the 5.0 cars were introduced. Not so, I've got that very problem. No access to get at it from the engine bay on the 5 litre cars as the pipe is obscured by some sound padding so looks like it's a dash-out job to fix.

Who's had this, where did you get it sorted and how much did you pay?

[deadslow]

I had this in my 4.2 XKR. Dash had to come out. Part cost £5.38. Labour ran to 16 hours. Done at local (Glasgow) indie. Ouch! (though only problem in 4 years)

[8bit]

Yikes, 16 hours... Who was the indie? I don't have one anywhere near me (Aberdeen) but Glasgow would be doable, if they've learned to do it any quicker...

[deadslow]

https://en-gb.facebook.com/prestigejaguar/ based in Paisley.

yeah, it was very disappointing, but the dash had to come out. They made a very clean job of it.

They are absolutely top guys and generally very fair on costs, so worth a call.

I am sure they will remember doing mine (Larry, black XKR).

eta: speak to Douglas

Edited by deadslow on Wednesday 9th September 14:49

[hashluck]

Search or ask here, I think someone found an easier way of fixing now

https://www.jaguarforum.com/forumdisplay.php?f=53

[8bit]

Thanks both, much appreciated.

@hashluck, I'm an active member on there and I have a thread on this very subject, mainly as my car is new enough to already have the updated part from the factory. Unfortunately access using the method described in the few threads on there is not possible as the 5.0 cars have another part obscuring access to the A/C drain.

[FezSpider]

To give my self more room to get at the "duck bill". In a nut shell, i jacked the car up, placed a piece of wood across the sump with a jack under it. Un did the two engine mounts , jacked the engune up enough to remove mounts. Then lowered the engine down enough to get my hand into the space to remove the tube.
Glad I did it, I was sick of the wet floor

[SP1985]

Hi all,

I have just discovered this problem on my 07 4.2 XKR, lots of water coming into the passenger footwell.

The link to the east fix didn't seem to work as above. Could someone please repost it?

I have literally just had the valley pipes done so would be great if there was a fix for this that didn't cost a fortune!

Cheers.

[8bit]

As you have a 4.2 you may be able to fix this by cutting the end of the duckbill pipe, or opening it with a finger. This thread should give you some pointers - https://www.jaguarforums.com/forum/xk-xkr-x150-33/...

[remedy]

I had it last weekend on a trip down south. The wife said her foot was getting dripped on.

What (thankfully) worked for me, and I see many others on the Jag forums:

Close all vents
Go to the climate screen and select face vents only
Aircon on
Turn knob for fans to full blast
Keep on for about 30 secs. Can try pulsing on and off if you like after that 30 secs.

The logic is the vent pipe gets pressurised and the air takes the easiest route out which is the duck bill and blows it open.
Apparently you see the contents of the blowers empty out under the car.

Let me know if it works. Good luck.

[8bit]

The problem is caused by the pipe losing the ability to flow condensate water out, either at all or at least fast enough to prevent it backing up and running down into the footwell. This is either due to some blockage in it (unlikely) or because the rubber pipe hardening as it ages. When the latter begins to happen and you first start to notice water in the footwell then blasting it open by that method may clear the backlog but it will start to build up again with the A/C on in normal use. I would consider that only a very temporary fix at best.

Later cars got a redesigned condensate drain pipe which is far less prone to becoming stuck.