XK8 Headlight LJA4501AH

[malcolm.phillips45464]

Desperately needed, whole passenger headlight, or lens, for 1998 XK8, non powerwash - LJA4501AH.
My other side is brand new so needs tobe in very good condition with fittings intact.
No other new ones in uk and no plans for Jag to reproduce. Thank you

[andypryce]

Try Eurojag.

[mike020150]

And Autoreserve. Mike.

[malcolm.phillips45464]

Thanks Andy and Mike, trued both and non in stock. Autoreserve are keeping eye out for me. Im hoping somebody somewhere has one in the back of their garage..... but its a search been going on since March. Cheers both

[mike020150]

If you are prepared to look outside of the UK, you might find a new unit. This year, I am aware of one member who bought new from Eastern Europe and I also recall seeing new XK8 headlamps advertised by a US company. The latter may have been Welsh Enterprises but I can't be certain. It could be worth casting your net wider than the UK and firing off an email or two. Mike.

[JimMann]

Have you tried DCR Autoparts - talk to Dave Roche there. Very knowledgeable and did have stock the last time I visited.

Jim

[malcolm.phillips45464]

Mike and Jim, yes I've tried abroad including america - they are 'waiting for stock' at the ones I've tried. Im also told i need UK specific as they are different specs.
As for DCR, a comoany I've used before and contacted first and despite numerous phone calls and emails, since March, does nor get back to me and has never actually confirmed whether he has any or not. I enquired again last week and never got back to me again.

[andypryce]

Bit of a worry that there is none to be had..

[andypryce]

Have you tried the XK enthusiast club?

[JimMann]

Hi Malcolm, I must admit to being a touch concerned that DCR Autoparts "had not got back to you" so I made contact with Dave Roche myself today and he confirms that you and he had communication earlier in the process and most recently on Sep.05.22, when Dave responded to your latest communication within just a few hours. You then answered Dave's questions on Sep.07.22 which he posed in his message of Sep.05.22. So, a bit of a negative tone, and somewhat unfair, to infer that he doesn't get back to you.

I understand that today, Dave has now sent you a very detailed email outlining what may be possible / practical to solve your issue, but it is not simple. In fact, there are typically 5 - 6 inquiries a week to DCR Autoparts alone for XK8 headlamp parts and I do know that Dave is working hard to try and find a methodology where he can refurbish headlamp units by separating the glass to allow re-silvering of the lens. However, making that separation is not a simple task as the bond between the glass and the lens is particularly strong, so if any chemists out there in JEC land know how to dissolve that bonding agent, Dave would like to hear from you. There is already a supplier on standby to redo the silvering process.

I trust this allows you to appreciate that suppliers are trying to help, but in some instances the results can be frustrating and it doesn't help to portray them in a negative light.

Jim Mann

[andypryce]

I know that John on To The Garage has done videos on re-silvering, but it does look a bit complicated...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-uhGw27ArwE

[mike020150]

I think members need to be very careful if tempted to follow the youtube re-silvering procedure. In the clip, it is suggested that, along with heat from a hair dryer, petrol is a good solvent for releasing the glass from headlamp plastic housings. Since an electric hair dryer would be a ready source of ignition for petrol vapour trapped within a headlamp, the chances of accidentally creating a nasty explosion and personal injury would be high. There must be a safer way of doing it! Mike.

[andypryce]

Agreed, certainly would never attempt it myself!

[malcolm.phillips45464]

Hi Jim, i would have thought the role of "moderator" would involve checking the facts and speaking to both parties before issuing your ticking off? You've mentioned recent contact but not all my previous emails, phonecalls, voice mails etc that received no response. You say that my post was negative towards Dave and i want to be clear that im not wishing to be negative in this post as Dave has indeed contacted me as a result of your contact and i replied this morning, hoping i get his response soon. I am not angry with Dave in this response but yourself for passing uninvestigated judgememt.

[JimMann]

Hi Malcolm, you can express your anger towards me as much as you want, but if my intervention has gotten you a result in terms of finding a solution to your problem, then my task as a moderator and as the Modern XK Section Coordinator has been successful.

Jim Mann