Mk1 C5 Headlight Washer Pump Access

[henshaw]

I need to remove the front bumper to change the leaking headlight washer pump. Haynes says I need to remove the fragile washer jet covers on the bumper. Is this really necessary? What are the jets fixed to - the bumper or the body?

[paul.h]

Rather than remove the bumper, Haynes also says the wheel arch liner can be removed instead to get to the pump. This may be easier, the washer covers would not get broken and there is no risk of damaging the bumper paintwork. It is also possible just undoing the front edge of the liner might allow it to be bent down without damage so the pump can be reached.

[henshaw]

Haynes has got this wrong. My local garage who diagnosed a leaky pump confirmed this telling me there is no way the washer bottle and pumps can be accessed from behind the wheel arch.

 

I got the bumper loose - took 10 mins. to undo the 11 screw devices but something stopped the bumper from coming forward, so I took a chance on removing the driver's side spray cover. I used 2 thin knives to gently lift the spray cover then grasped the hose/sprayer behind and unclipped the cover. With a bit of manoeuvring/jiggling the bumper came forward to reveal the water bottle and pumps. I didn't need to remove the nearside spray cover. The spray jets are fixed to the body of the car.

 

I would say too that there is no way the pumps can be accessed easily from behind the inner liner (though you might be able to see them) as the bumper is very close to them.

[henshaw]

 see also http://www.frenchcarforum.co.uk/forum/viewtopic.php?t=40421 regarding the washer covers

[paul.h]

I guess this will not be the last time Haynes has got something wrong so it is good you have written this topic.

[henshaw]

In the end, took off nearside spray cover as it looked as though it could get broken. Bumper came off very easily (easier than getting the inner wheel arch out in my experience). Pressure washer replaced easily then puzzlement set in until I remembered headlight washer only works with headlights on. Bumper replacement was easy (don't really need 2 people as Haynes says). Where you might need 2 people is getting the spray heads out from behind the bumper as they are quite difficult to get out without causing damage using pliers. Get 2nd person to operate the windscreen/headlight washer so you can grab the sprayer while it is out and clamp a mole grip on the plastic pipe behind the spray head (it is strong enough provided you are not too vicious with the clamping)

 

To get the spray head back without dislodging or damaging the covers I used a trick suggested on another forum where a half loop of thin string is placed just behind the cover but under the spray head so the 2 ends of the string come out above the spray head. The string is strong enough to allow the mole grip to be removed and gently let the spray head back into the bumper. Gently pulling one end of the string will remove it without dislodging the cover.