Vantage headlight washer replacement- any tips?
Discussion
Righty- as per my insurance thread I’ve just bought a 2010 4.7 Vantage roadster. I’ll post some photos in due course but it’s been a bit of hurried entry to the club. Picked up on Friday 4th and had to navigate something of an unwelcome first trip: down the M1 and around the west side of the M25 on a Friday afternoon (is that burning clutch I smell? I think it might be) so I could could park at my brother’s gaff in Brighton. Had to leave early the next morning on a family holiday and overrunning building work had left my own garage inaccessible.
Anyway, on the final stretch of the A23 I spotted a piece of plastic flying over the front of the car. Thought “that’s a bit odd” and carried on. On arrival, tired but still thrilled, it was pointed out that the headlight washer cover on the offside was missing… Several PH threads inform me that it’s something of a case of TADTS…
I’ve ordered a replacement which was duly deliver by astonmartinbits and is here now. So now that I’m back and have collected the car (much more enjoyable on roads I know we’ll) the first task in the morning is to install the replacement cover. Have seen previous threads but interested in any additional pointers from those who’ve made this repair more recently. For example- there’s a spring included in the box- does that fit on too?
TIA.
Anyway, on the final stretch of the A23 I spotted a piece of plastic flying over the front of the car. Thought “that’s a bit odd” and carried on. On arrival, tired but still thrilled, it was pointed out that the headlight washer cover on the offside was missing… Several PH threads inform me that it’s something of a case of TADTS…
I’ve ordered a replacement which was duly deliver by astonmartinbits and is here now. So now that I’m back and have collected the car (much more enjoyable on roads I know we’ll) the first task in the morning is to install the replacement cover. Have seen previous threads but interested in any additional pointers from those who’ve made this repair more recently. For example- there’s a spring included in the box- does that fit on too?
TIA.
The spring is used to retain on the non-HID variant, yours should just clip on. You will need to pull the washer jet outwards to get it to a point where you can fit it, although I am going to take a guess that the washer jet itself has detached from the headlight lugs due to the brittle plastic lugs. If you do manage to fit it successfully, I suggest removing the headlight washer fuse from the engine compartment fuse box. Just refit for MOT or forewarn the tester of its removal. Whilst there check both headlisghts are solidly mounted on the front edge, as many have broken lugs that go unnoticed.
Thanks. All fitted. I hadn’t considered pulling the fuse so that’s a good tip.
You said “I am going to take a guess that the washer jet itself has detached from the headlight lugs due to the brittle plastic lugs“. It’s not obvious to me that this has happened from pulling it out and fitting the cover- how would that manifest itself?
One thing I did notice is that I tried running the washers so my helpful assistant could take a photo of the other side for reference but it doesn’t wash the headlights on every go. It did work, eventually, and I assumed that they only run every nth use of the washers, although I couldn’t work out the sequence. Does that sound right to anyone who knows?
However, I do now need to top up the fluid so it may also be that the washers don’t run when low on fluid (?).
Although this all sounds like a faff, it’s actually nice to have something to tinker with again.
You said “I am going to take a guess that the washer jet itself has detached from the headlight lugs due to the brittle plastic lugs“. It’s not obvious to me that this has happened from pulling it out and fitting the cover- how would that manifest itself?
One thing I did notice is that I tried running the washers so my helpful assistant could take a photo of the other side for reference but it doesn’t wash the headlights on every go. It did work, eventually, and I assumed that they only run every nth use of the washers, although I couldn’t work out the sequence. Does that sound right to anyone who knows?
However, I do now need to top up the fluid so it may also be that the washers don’t run when low on fluid (?).
Although this all sounds like a faff, it’s actually nice to have something to tinker with again.
I lost a cover from the drivers side, Very frustrating.
Replacement ordered and attempted fitting reviled a broken connector with the washer no longer secured to the headlight.
I spent the day removing both headlights and using some epoxy resin glue to reattach the washer to the headlight. I also noticed holes in the headlight itself which I also filled at the same time.
I spent a good couple of hours just adjusting the headlight to fit perfect in the wings.
The washer caps just clip on but didn't feel very secure so a little resin to help keep them in place was used.
Getting the headlights out was not a easy or quick job on a 07 car with many screws corroded but worth doing if your washer jets are no longer attached to the headlight.
Likely as on my car there will be holes in the headlights from the snapped off washer jet that need to be sealed to spot liquid or condensation getting into the headlight.
Replacement ordered and attempted fitting reviled a broken connector with the washer no longer secured to the headlight.
I spent the day removing both headlights and using some epoxy resin glue to reattach the washer to the headlight. I also noticed holes in the headlight itself which I also filled at the same time.
I spent a good couple of hours just adjusting the headlight to fit perfect in the wings.
The washer caps just clip on but didn't feel very secure so a little resin to help keep them in place was used.
Getting the headlights out was not a easy or quick job on a 07 car with many screws corroded but worth doing if your washer jets are no longer attached to the headlight.
Likely as on my car there will be holes in the headlights from the snapped off washer jet that need to be sealed to spot liquid or condensation getting into the headlight.
You know the advice above from xstaticx…?
Well, for reasons known only to past-Basher that seems to have been left as a job for future-Basher. Which is, of course, now much to the irritation of present-Basher.
And so, although both my headlight washer *covers* remain firmly affixed to the washer unit, my nearside unit took umbrage at being asked to do its stuff on the autobahn last week and is now flapping about. It didn’t seem to be able to come out completely based on a quickish look but it is loose and works its way partly out when the car’s moving. Or it would do if it weren’t currently held in by sellotape.
Are these serviceable..? If I take the headlight out is there a reasonable prospect of making a repair…?
Well, for reasons known only to past-Basher that seems to have been left as a job for future-Basher. Which is, of course, now much to the irritation of present-Basher.
And so, although both my headlight washer *covers* remain firmly affixed to the washer unit, my nearside unit took umbrage at being asked to do its stuff on the autobahn last week and is now flapping about. It didn’t seem to be able to come out completely based on a quickish look but it is loose and works its way partly out when the car’s moving. Or it would do if it weren’t currently held in by sellotape.
Are these serviceable..? If I take the headlight out is there a reasonable prospect of making a repair…?
Hi,
A few points to make. The first is that headlamp washers are compulsory on post-2009 cars. So if fitted they are likely to be tested for the MoT - bummer!
The second is that it is an easily achievable job, if you take your time. You will need to remove the inner wing liner, which can be a pain. It isn't difficult, just time-consuming. The headlamps are held in with two bolts, but watch a YouTube video first to get an idea of what you need to do.
Also, make sure you cover the headlamp with cardboard and tape before you remove it as it is VERY easy to scratch it. Finally, the chances are that the headlamp washer has broken away from the headlamp. You can buy a repair kit off Ebay, which includes 3D-printed parts, and is well worth the money. Then all you need is some two-part epoxy resin and away you go.
Allow yourself a couple of days (to give the epoxy time to cure) and you should be fine. If you get stuck come back on here and ask for help - i think enough of us have been through the procedure now.
A few points to make. The first is that headlamp washers are compulsory on post-2009 cars. So if fitted they are likely to be tested for the MoT - bummer!
The second is that it is an easily achievable job, if you take your time. You will need to remove the inner wing liner, which can be a pain. It isn't difficult, just time-consuming. The headlamps are held in with two bolts, but watch a YouTube video first to get an idea of what you need to do.
Also, make sure you cover the headlamp with cardboard and tape before you remove it as it is VERY easy to scratch it. Finally, the chances are that the headlamp washer has broken away from the headlamp. You can buy a repair kit off Ebay, which includes 3D-printed parts, and is well worth the money. Then all you need is some two-part epoxy resin and away you go.
Allow yourself a couple of days (to give the epoxy time to cure) and you should be fine. If you get stuck come back on here and ask for help - i think enough of us have been through the procedure now.
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