Wow... I'd throw that sucker back in the lake and keep a fishin! Cosmetic things bother me (not that you can tell it by looking at my machines LOL)... and those cracks would just drive me crazy even if you can make the thing come on. I can't believe someone taped up the ENTIRE hose! Oh wait... yes I can! I bet you could scrap it for parts if you wanted...
On my Diamond Jubilee, you have to press a little button forward in order to insert the metal wand into or remove it from the plastic part. I've circled the thingy in your pic...
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