Headlight wash retrofit

[Raistlin]

Well, at last the deed is done... and it works superbly well. I'm a happy bunny :D

 

I first of all need to express my sincere thanks to Denis (X Type Den) and his lovely lady for spending all day with me doing the job AND providing lunch.

 

In theory, it was as simple as I had thought. That is to say. The wiring for the extra high pressure pump was there, complete with protected connector, relay, fuse and appropriate logic control from the car's system.

 

In addition, the bumper certainly DOES have the template for cutting the slots marked out on the rear.

 

You can buy the bits from fleabay or a dismantler's for less than £50 and I'd recommend this retro-fit.

 

That's all in theory.

 

In practice, at times the job was a pig and without Denis' help I would have been up the proverbial creek without a paddle. I was certainly pleased that it was Denis and not me who was cutting the slots out of the bumper.

 

The fitment of the parts is NOT obvious and without Denis I wouldn't have had a clue. Having said that of course, and with hindsight, I'll be happy to assist if anybody else wants to do a similar job :D

 

PLEASE, when you re-fit nuts bolts and screws, take a second or two to apply some copper grease. It will pay dividends if they ever need to be taken apart in the future. I must have depleted Denis's stock of bolts screws and clips but now my front bumper is secured as it should be.

 

Also discovered why my fuel burning heater produced so much smoke and fumes such that I removed the fuse earlier this year. With the bumper off the exhaust pipe from the Webasto to the silencer was seen to be torn to shreds. SO, a replacement pipe and I'll have the benefit of the Webasto heater for the Winter.

 

Also, I can now go ahead and work out the details to make it turn on remotely and heat the engine coolant AND warm the interior of the car .

 

Thanks again Denis. I'm now confident to say that the retro-fit is worthwhile.

 

The parts required are not totally obvious and I'm happy to list them for anybody who is contemplating the retro-fit.

[Old Peter]

Hi Paul,

 

Well done!

 

How did you get the screws at the bottom out?

 

Regards,

 

Peter.

[Raistlin]

We didn't Peter. We left the undertray attached at the front and removed it with the bumper :)

[Old Peter]

Thanks, Paul.

 

It is well to know in the event that front bumpers need to come off.

 

Peter.

[Bionicman]

That is very interesting Paul I have just a fortune having my headlights on my 2007 S type XS changed to factory xenons, and would like to now put thre washers into the bumpers soon,could i ask you to list what is needed to complete the job,

regards

Bionicman

[Raistlin]

Certainly Roger :)

 

High pressure pump, (I'd get the whole washer bottle if you can because the HP Pump seal is next to impossible to obtain, plus it'll give you spare screen wash pump and level sensor.)

 

High pressure pipework. (including supporting brackets).

 

Two jets

 

Two jet support brackets (if available) If not, the original items can be used with the addition of some foam insulation - double sided foam tape would be ideal and only a couple of square inches.

 

Two jet covers - HAVE to match the bumper's contours so in your case the later version. Possibly you can get them second hand but I bought new items from local dealer and sprayed them using aerosol.

 

The fuse and relay will already be in situ.

 

I got all the bits I needed from fleabay for less than £50, including a complete washer bottle.

 

Also, I recommend investing in a pair of the aluminium cruciforms which connect the covers to the jets. The original items are made of a plastic which has all the strength of wet tissue paper and as new covers cost £25 ish, something you don't want to lose when the plastic ones give up the ghost.

 

Let me know if I can help further.

[Bionicman]

Many thanks paul, for the info i am sure it will be very useful in my quest for putting the washers on my car , can i ask why you changed you headlights?was it the same reason as me because the standard headlight even with brightest Bulb in it just is not good enough 

[Raistlin]

I didn't change the lights Roger. To be fair, I find them perfectly adequate. I retro-fitted the headlamp wash because I was told "It can't be done" ..... Red rag to a bull, that is