C5 Mk1 - Manufacture Fault - Front Bumper With Headlamp Washers

[aspire_helen]

If you (or your repairer) need to replace the front bumper (part number 7401 R6) on your C5 Mk1 with headlamp washers, be aware that the spare you receive from Citroen is likely to be faulty, BUT this will not become evident until the bumper is painted and refitted!! Specifically, the aperture for the passenger side headlamp washer is cut 3-5mm out of place. This error is not obvious to look at but as a consequence the passenger side washer is blocked from extending.

My repairer completed the whole job on my car before this became evident in July2014. He will do the job again and claim back from Citroen for the wasted work. However, working through Citroen he received a second bumper - it had the same fault. So, he was sent a third - again with the same fault!!. It appears the current UK stock or a batch were wrongly cut, and Citroen do not appear capable of quality checking their spare parts before distributing them, even when advised of a specific fault! So now, one month on, we await action from Citroen UK.

[paul.h]

Thankyou for the warning. Has your repairer considered a used bumper as a quicker fix than waiting for Citroen ?

[aspire_helen]

No. We will continue to press citroen to provide a serviceable new bumper especially as I have paid for it. Citroen has muted the possibility of the repairer enlarging the aperture as necessary, but my repairer does not want to unless citroen indemnifies him in case it does not work. The tolerances are quite close....enlarging the aperture may result in the cover plate not fully covering the aperture when closed. In the meantime iam driving the car without the washer covers and fuse removed. I mean to check whether unsericeable headlamp washers would fail on mot due in october (i know how slow citroen uk can be). HELEN

[paul.h]

Depending on what type of headlights are fitted, a non working washer could be a fail. This is from the MOT testers manual:

 

2. Where HID or LED dipped beam headlamps are

fitted, switch on the headlamps and check the

operation of any headlamp levelling and

cleaning devices fitted.

 

Reason for rejection.

2. A headlamp levelling or cleaning device

inoperative or otherwise obviously defective.

[aspire_helen]

Dear all

Just an update.  Finally, Citroen have supplied the bodyshop a front bumper with the headlamp washer apertures cut in the correct place (according to the bodyshop - I have yet to see it).  The car is booked in next week for the front bumper to be replaced again. In total, Citroen sent 4 faulty bumpers (including the original) starting in July.  It has taken them until November to provide a serviceable one.  I wonder how many faulty ones they had in stock?! Fingers crossed this one does indeed turn out to be OK next week.

Helen

[paul.h]

Good luck with this. How did you get on at the MOT ?

[aspire_helen]

Hi, the job is now finally complete. I haven't had the mot yet - ive been busy replacing the rear brake discs, calipers and pads. All done now, save the bleeding. I asked the forum yesterday for advice on brake bleeding/renewing all the brake fluid. 

Calipers had serious corrosion causing discs to eat into caliper body and inner disc pads on both sides had become totally non effective, all since the last mot 11months ago!  One caliper bolt had sheared under braking. Welded a nut to the remaing stud and it came out ok. Other 3 bolts extremely stiff but came out with lots of elbow grease, patience and a 3 foot extension bar.