Headlight washer covers

Rockhopper

Rockhopper

Senior member
 Mansfield
Site Supporter
One of mine popped off and vanished, they seem to a be stupidly priced at around £20 for an new unpainted one so I thought about 3D printing one. I can’t find a Z4 .stl file though.
Does the Z4 share that part with any other BMW models?
 
More hassle than they are worth, I had one disappear off one of my Jags (adds up when you buy a replacement + paint). In the winter they had a habit of freezing to the bumper and when you went to use the windscreen washer thats when they came apart. I use to pull the fuse out and put it back in for the MOT and warmer weather.
 
The covers are handed left/right. Hopefully you still have the diamond shaped clip on the top of the washer? Unfortunately they often disappear with the cover, originally the clips came with the complete washer/jet unit at great expense (as I found out) but replacement clips can now be sourced. The clips are also handed L/R.
 
I intended to pull the fuse but didn't get around to it. Headlight washers are more trouble than they are worth. On my Alfa all they did was spray screen wash all over the bonnet where the heat of the engine just baked it on! I took the fuse out eventually.
Currently the Z4 has a piece of silver gaffer tape over the hole which matched the titan silver quite well and isn't really too noticeable! Just have to remember not to wash the windscreen when the lights are on!
 
I bought one from Sopers in March and it cost £15.52 posted. They would have painted it for another £20 I think but I didn't go for that, and ended up spending £15+ on some paint instead. :roll:

As soon as it was fitted the fuse was removed! :lol:
 
Ewazix said:
The covers are handed left/right. Hopefully you still have the diamond shaped clip on the top of the washer? Unfortunately they often disappear with the cover, originally the clips came with the complete washer/jet unit at great expense (as I found out) but replacement clips can now be sourced. The clips are also handed L/R.
Click to expand...

Hi mate. Do you know where to get the diamond clips from?
My cover fell off the other day and took the diamond with it by the looks of it! Washer units are stupid expensive so would prefer to buy just the diamonds bit!
 
DaveD said:
Ewazix said:
The covers are handed left/right. Hopefully you still have the diamond shaped clip on the top of the washer? Unfortunately they often disappear with the cover, originally the clips came with the complete washer/jet unit at great expense (as I found out) but replacement clips can now be sourced. The clips are also handed L/R.
Click to expand...

Hi mate. Do you know where to get the diamond clips from?
My cover fell off the other day and took the diamond with it by the looks of it! Washer units are stupid expensive so would prefer to buy just the diamonds bit!
Click to expand...

Hi Dave, a 3D printing company called Shapeways were selling the Diamond clips on the web very inexpensively. Checking the link that was previously on here the product page has gone, but it may be worth contacting them to see if they have any, or will do another run now that winter is coming and the cover popping season will be with us :)
https://www.shapeways.com/contact

Some one previously posted that a Volvo part was the same but had to be bought with the Volvo spray head for about £16, which is way cheaper than a complete BMW unit. But I can't vouch for the product fitting
https://www.partsmonster.co.uk/genuine-volvo-xc90-03-06-headlamp--headlight-washer-jet--nozzle-right-17982-p.asp

**** All the parts for the washers are handed left / right including the units, spray heads, clips and covers ****

Cheers
Greg
 
I thought headlight washers were mandatory with xenons. Glue was involved when I had a 3rd one replaced.

Make sure the screen wash anti freeze is strong enough.
 
I've had mine deactivated for a few years now, doesn't flag on MOT... so the pre 2009 thing is probably true? Not sure. It's one of those things you don't ask... because you draw attention to it
 
kis said:
I've had mine deactivated for a few years now, doesn't flag on MOT... so the pre 2009 thing is probably true? Not sure. It's one of those things you don't ask... because you draw attention to it
Click to expand...

I previously looked up and posted the section from the MOT manual which said pre 2009 cars don't have to have washers and self levelling fitted with HID/ xenon or LED headlights, but if those systems are fitted they must work. Technically a fuse is required to complete the system, so you might argue that if it's missing there isn't a 'system' fitted :P
 
The MOT testers manual wording says:

"4.1.6. Headlamp cleaning devices
You must inspect vehicles first used on or after 1 September 2009 equipped with headlamp washers."

However in the leveling devices section it says:

"Vehicles with high intensity discharge (HID) or LED dipped beam headlamps may be fitted with a suspension or headlamp self-levelling system. If these systems have been fitted, they must work."

No mention of that same "if fitted" wording in the washers section.
 
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